Part 31 (1/2)

It had already begun to blow The as -drawn melancholy penetrated to the cozy cabin In the shelter of the cliff though she was, the schooner tossed in the spent seas that ca in frouess the on't take the hair off a body; an' I 'loe can make Conch afore the worst of it”

”I'm with the skipper,” said Billy Topsail

”Me, too,” said Ji to say; he seldoray Archie went ashore with a lighter heart to file it What an unkindly suspicious fool he had been! he reflected, heartily ashaent

Sir Archibald's telegram was put in the boy's hand; and when this had been read aboard the _Spot Cash_--and when the schooner had rounded Cape John and was taking full advantage of a sudden change of wind to the southwest--Archie and the skipper and the crew felt very well indeed, thank you!

It blew hard in the afternoon--harder than Bill o' Burnt Bay had surmised The wind had a slap to it that troubled the little _Spot Cash_ Crested seas broke over her bows and swept her deck She was s, too It was to be a big gale froale

There ind enough for the _Spot Cash_ Much more would shake and drown her like a chip Bill o' Burnt Bay, at the wheel, and the crew, forward and amidshi+ps, kept watch for the coast and the friendly land and rain it was a disheartening business

When night gathered, the coast was not in sight The _Spot Cash_ was tossing soale and dared not venture in

The wind continued in the southeast The coast was a lee shore--all rocks and islands and cliffs The _Spot Cash_Any attempt to make a harbour of that harsh shore in the dark would spell destruction But the sea was hardly more hospitable The _Spot Cash_, reefed down al out as best she could, tossed and plunged in the big black seas, with good heart, to be sure, but, presently, with small hope It seemed to Bill o' Burnt Bay that the little craft would be broken and swamped

The boys came aft from forward and a into the night ahead, started, turned and uttered an ejaculation of disust of wind drove into the skipper's ear

”What is it, b'y?” Skipper Bill roared

”I forgot to insure her,” shouted Archie

Skipper Bill grinned

”It's ruin if reck, Bill,” Archie shouted again

It looked to Bill o' Burnt Bay like wreck and death If so, the ruin ht take care of itself It pleased him to know that Archie was still unconcerned about his life He reflected that if the _Spot Cash_ should by any chance survive he would tell Sir Archibald that story

But a great sea and a s blast of wind distracted him The sea came clear over the bow and broke amidshi+ps; the wind fairly drove the breath back into the skipper's throat There would be two more seas he knew: there were always three seas The second would break in a mo to the boys and turned the wheel towave fell with a crash amidshi+ps; the schooner stopped and shi+vered while a torrent of water drove clear over the stern Bill o' Burnt Bay saw the crest of the third sea grohite and tower in the night

”Hang to her!” screarimly as the sea came aboard It broke and swept past He expected no more; butin a boiling pot froht the deep boom of breakers The _Spot Cash_ was so She was fairly on the rocks Again Bill shouted a warning to the boys to save theht of a low cliff--a black shadow above a hostly white The schooner was lifted by a great sea and carried forward Skipper Bill waited for the shock and thud of her striking He glanced up at the spars--again screaid On swept the schooner She was a long tireat wave

Then she slipped softly out of the rough water into soently down from above

There was a moment of silence and uttermost amazement The wind had vanished; the roar of the sea was ently into the dark

”The anchor!” the skipper gasped

He sprang forward, stuainst a rock, there was a soft thud, a little shock, a scraping, and the _Spot Cash_ stopped dead