Part 25 (1/2)

asked the professor, in evident alarm

”I don't think there is o to pieces if we try it, and we are pretty certain to go to pieces if we don't”

The yacht was now rolling and pitching on the heavy seas, and the blasts of ere beco with the shrill sound of a gigantic fife

”Shall we take in another reef?” shouted the mate

”No Put two men at the wheel and tell them to work lively! Jim, a feords with you”

A brief conference followed, then taking his station amidshi+p, with Jim well forward, the captain shouted his orders to the sailors and helnaled byfirst the course of the channel, and at intervals looking toward the captain Every motion was correctly interpreted by the commander

”The helm to the port side! Port your helm! Jam it down hard! Haul in the er and jib!” The captain was hurling his orders so quickly that his words tripped over one another

Theto obey the commands The yacht meanwhile entered the channel between the cliffs and was driving headlong for the rocks ahead which presaged a certain end to its career But just as the fatal crash see around, and with the end of the boolided into the deeper waters that opened to the right

”My goodness!” cried Toht ere gone for sure I don't s that happen on land, but that's the worst experience I've been through yet”

”Oh, cheer up,” cried Jo ”There is plenty ood captain,” said Jim ”That was a nice bit of work”

”Worthy of one of the oldtime pirates,” added the reassured professor

”I'll have to bring that in”

The captain awarded full credit to Jim's skill as a pilot It was another instance where close observation had brought worth while results

While they were talking, the yacht had run into the inner harbor, and here even with the fierce wind playing havoc in the tree tops and out at sea, the high hills afforded good and safe shelter

CHAPTER XVIII

A MYSTERIOUS HAPPENING

The barometer rose shortly and climbed up as rapidly as it had earlier fallen In a brief time the skies had cleared and the wind settled to a steady breeze

”It see about hiet out is going to be a ht,” replied the captain, ”if Berill fix up that old tea kettle of his and give us soineer, ”Can't you do this while we are in here?”

”Maybe I can,” replied the engineer, ”if there is no more of the devil's handiwork There would not be much thethings”

”The sailors will have few duties, now, and ill have a double watch set over the engine room,” said the captain