ble to get home as soon as father intended if we go so
far out of the way?" Neal asked.

"If he don't do any cruisin' after he gets up north I reckon it could be
done; but there's no sense in figgerin' on that till we're off
Hatteras."

Now that the yacht had proved her seaworthiness by riding safely through
the storm the boys would have been willing to go almost anywhere in her,
and the idea that they might have no cruising in a more agreeable
climate caused a decided feeling of disappointment; but, as Jake had
said, there was no reason to worry about that while they were so far
from home, and as if by common consent the subject was not broached
again.

On the following morning when they went on deck the sun was shining down
upon the yet angry looking waves; but one of the sailors assured them
that "the gale had blowed itself out."

"It stands to reason there'd be a heavy sea runnin'; but its settlin'
down fast, an' by to-morrow there won't be swell enough for comfort."

In this he was correct. Twenty-four hours later the awnings were up, and
all hands were panting under the blazing heat of a tropical sun.

This sudden change prostrated the boys, and during the next two days
they fanned themselves, drank iced drinks, and sought in vain for some
spot where a breath of cool air could be found.

It was the fourth day after the norther. While waiting for dinner to be
brought on deck (the meals had been served under the awnings since the
storm, for the cabin was too hot to permit even of their eating there),
Teddy lay near the after starboard boat lazily wondering why that thin
curl of blue smoke should come from the planking directly over the
kitchen, instead of through the pipe as it always had before.

Owing to the fact that there was no unusual disturbance he never fancied
for a moment anything could be wrong, and remained gazing at it in
silence so long that Neal asked curiously:

"What do you see that is so very interesting?"

"I was wondering what had happened to the galley pipe."

"How do you know that it isn't all right?"

"I suppose it is; but it looks queer to see that smoke coming up as if
from the deck."

Neal looked in the direction indicated by Teddy's outstretched finger,
and seeing the blue curl, which had now grown considerably thicker,
sprang to his feet very quickly.

Without speaking to his friend he ran forward, Teddy still ignorant
there was any danger, and in the shortest possible sp