Part 20 (1/2)

Then another sound came from his berth. Dawson was snoring.

CHAPTER XIV-HEADED FOR THE SUNKEN REEF

Szz-zz! Sputter! And the fragrance of it, too!

”Say, you fellows; aren't you ever going to wake up?”

Jed Prentiss had his hand on Joe, shaking him.

”Have you any idea what time it is?” insisted Jed, as Dawson opened his eyes halfway.

”Time to go to bed again,” muttered Joe, trying to shake off that insistent hand and rolling over the other way.

”It's after noon,” p.r.o.nounced Prentiss. ”Say, you fellows could sleep a week through!” And Jed gave Joe a hearty shake. ”I told you breakfast is ready.”

”No, you didn't,” insisted Joe.

”I've told you so three times in the last five minutes,” a.s.serted Jed, ”but you wouldn't wake up long enough to understand. Can't you get it through your head? _Breakfast!_”

”Whatcher got?” asked Joe drowsily.

”Coffee!”

”Had that yesterday,” protested Joe, settling himself as though for another doze.

”And bacon and eggs!”

”Had that three days ago,” complained Joe.

”And fried potatoes,” went on Jed.

”They'll keep.”

”m.u.f.fins!” proclaimed Jed solemnly.

At that Dawson opened his eyes wide.

”Are they sticky inside or your best kind, browned all over the top?”

Joe asked with a show of interest.

”Browned?” echoed Jed. ”Say, they're beauties-the best I ever baked. And I've opened a tin of preserved pineapple to top off with.”

”I guess maybe I'll get up,” admitted Joe.

”You'd better, if you don't want to find everything cold and tasteless,”

insisted Jed, who thereupon went over to shake Halstead.

But Tom slipped up instantly, reaching for his swimming tights. Soon a splash was heard over the side. Joe followed him. Both felt more awake when they came back to towel down. As they dressed the savory smells of Jed's best breakfast made them hurry.

”I'd sooner have you wake me up, Jed, than some folks I know,” announced Joe Dawson, as he pa.s.sed his plate for the second helping of bacon, eggs and fried potatoes.