inizing the shore line as they made steady progress. He felt sure
that he would be able to discover the right inlet long before they
arrived at a point where they must alter their course in order to cross
that bar which is always found at such openings.

Drawing the small amount of water their boats did, he anticipated not
the slightest trouble in getting over. So as they increased their pace
somewhat, Jack divided his time between watching the shore and the sky.
Wind was something that would oblige them by remaining away.

They had figured on taking three hours to make the run; but it was
nearer four, owing to the fact that there were some miles to pass over
in leaving the creek where they had spent the preceding night, and
reaching the open sea; and also because they had to go out some
distance.

Jack sighted the inlet for which they were so anxiously pressing, and
when the three motor boats had crossed the bar, gaining the security
that lay behind the sandspits, all of them breathed easier. That night
they would not see the flashing of the Henlopen light, or catch the
distant gleam of the famous mariner's beacon on the point at Cape May,
for they were many miles to the south, and the glow of Chincoteague
Light closer at hand.

But for some time at least they need not think of danger from a rising
sea. If troubles were fated to come, as was almost inevitable, they
were apt to be of an entirely different character. Perhaps they would
get aground in shallow waters; it might be there would be times when
the little flotilla would become lost in some intricate channels
connecting the numerous bays that parallel the coast, and which are by
degrees being dredged by the Government, with the idea of at some dim
future date having an inland coast canal by which even small vessels of
war may pass north and south.

Again, Jack had before him his chart, printed by the Department at
Washington, and supposed to be perfectly reliable as to depth of water,
position of lights and shoals, the lay of the many sinuous creeks, and
all such important matters upon which the voyager over these sounds
must depend for safe progress.

"Looky there, what's that over yonder on the water--gulls?" called
Nick, after they had been moving along in procession for some time, the
_Tramp_ leading the way--for George realized that he must curb his
speed propensity while navigating these deceptive shallow waters,
unless he wanted to take chances