Part 26 (1/2)

”There's a book-shelf in the cabin, sir.”

Judge Swan disappeared into the cabin. The next time Halstead looked aft he saw the judge snug in one of the armchairs, reading.

The place was ideal for such a breakdown. The ”Meteor” lay almost motionless upon the smooth sea, miles from land, with no troublesome reefs near. Under the awnings it was delightfully cool.

For an hour Joe remained in the motor room, neither Tom nor Jed bothering him with their presence. Then Tom went aft to see if their guest was comfortable. Judge Swan looked up with a pleasant smile.

”If I didn't have that session of court on hand, captain, I wouldn't mind if this break lasted all day.”

”It wouldn't be bad,” the young skipper a.s.sented. ”We have a good larder and a fine young cook aboard.”

”How serious is the break?” inquired his honor.

”Why, Dawson reports that he hopes very soon to be under way again.”

”I hope he won't hurry enough to interfere with thorough repair,”

pursued Judge Swan.

When Tom went forward again it occurred to him to take a look down into the engine room. The sight that met his gaze was a surprising one. Joe was lying on his back on one of the lockers, the first time he had ever been asleep at his post!

The time dragged on slowly. His honor, being wholly comfortable and well occupied where he was, didn't come forward to ask any questions.

”There's the forenoon boat coming,” whispered Jed, at last.

”Confound it,” muttered Tom. ”I wish I had thought to keep better out of her track.”

The pa.s.senger steamer soon signaled. Tom answered on the auto whistle.

Then the pa.s.senger steamer ran in closer to the motor boat. The captain of the steamer, standing before the pilot house, megaphone in hand, called over the waters:

”Are you in distress?”

”Only a temporary break in the engine,” Tom answered, through his megaphone.

”Do you need any a.s.sistance?”

”No, thank you,” Halstead responded.

”Do you wish to transfer any pa.s.sengers?”

Judge Swan came forward to the young skipper. At the same time Tom saw Mr. Dunstan and Mr. Crane at the rail, among the boat's pa.s.sengers.

”How soon before you'll be under way, Captain Halstead?” asked his honor.

Now, Joe being fast asleep, Halstead had to answer for his friend.

”Judge, we ought to be under way soon.”

”Then tell the captain of the steamer you've no pa.s.sengers to transfer,”