Part 28 (2/2)
They ell down the coast of Florida when even anxious Powell Seaton declared that there was no need of cruising longer in the wake of the ”Glide” He felt certain that the freighter had entirely eluded the vigilance of those on board the drab boat
By this tiasoline was nearly out To a run would use up about the last of their oil There was, however, a snal mast
Nohen the crew of the ”Restless” turned back, the sail was hoisted and power shut off
”We've oil enough to run perhaps three-quarters of an hour, sir,” the young skipper explained ”We'll have to use that up inaboard the ”Restless” proved lazy work at the outset With this sh to carry the boat at much more than two miles per hour on her northwest course for the nearest Florida tohere gasoline was likely to be had
”We'll have a jolly long sail of it,” laughed Skipper Tom, ”unless the wind should freshen”
”Well, we don't care,” smiled Mr Seaton ”At least, you won't be overworked And our minds are easier--mine especially”
”All of us have easier minds,” Halstead retorted ”Don't you understand, sir, that the rest of us have taken this whole business to heart? We couldn't be more concerned than we are to see the affairs of our charter parties coht”
”Oh, I believe that,” nodded Powell Seaton ”You boys have been the strongest sort of personal friends to me in my troubles You couldn't possibly have hly your own troubles”
Two hours later a wireless e came back froue terms, but meant to inform those aboard the ”Restless” that the drab seventy-footer was still out of sight An hour after that a second e reached the motor boat
Soon after the ”Restless” found herself unable to answer, though still able to receive
”Hank, are you feeling particularly strong to-day?” inquired Mr
Seaton
”I' steward
”Then why not rack your pantry stores in order to supply the biggest thing in athan I have any day in a h number-one hotel to find a better rinning gleefully, as he started for the galley
In such lazy weather Too below for a nap, especially as Joe was around Hepton was left at the wheel Tom speedily closed his eyes in one of the soundest naps he had enjoyed in many a day He akened by Hank, who came into the staterooht, up to now,” butts infor captain
”Still, we don't like the looks of the sky, and the baro eccentric Won't you come up on deck for aThere was enough of the sea-captain in hiaze swept around anxiously, inquiringly, at the sky
”The clouds up on the northeast horizon don't look exactly friendly, do they?” he inquired of Joe
”Don't know,” replied Dawson ”Haven't seen enough of the you will, soon,” replied Halstead ”How's the wind been?”
”From the east, sir,” replied Hepton, as at the wheel
”It's working around to northeast, now,” muttered Halstead ”And it was almost from the south when I turned in”
To,” he said, briefly