Part 1 (1/2)

The Frontier Boys in the Sierras

by Wyn Roosevelt

CHAPTER I

IN THE CHANNEL

”By Jove, Ji fierce! For one I will be et clear of the Hawaiian channels and out into the open”

”It is lively going,” yelled Jim, above the roar of the wind, as he and his brother Jo were standing together on the bridge of their shi+p, ”but I guess the _Sea Eagle_ eather it, if we don't run into another vessel in the dark How about it, Captain?”

The captain, as the rather bent figure of an old man, was clothed in a heavy woolen jacket, buttoned across his chest He stopped and regarded Jie

”What's that, Skipper?” he roared hoarsely, ”weather this? Why, this ain't no sea, and the _Sea Eagle_ is a staunch boat Why, lad, you”I just want to reassure brother Jo,--that was all”

”Soo and cheer up Toive hi in the eyes of Captain Kerns ”They are as sick as puppies down in the cabin”

”Don't blame 'em much,” cried Jim, ”this motion would upset a shark's liver”

If you have read ”The Frontier Boys in Hawaii,” you will be well acquainted with these conversationalists on the good sea-going yacht, the _Sea Eagle_, but if not, you will have to be introduced, ”Mr

Reader, this is Skipper Jaton”

”Happy to ood sailor?”

”Mr Reader, allow runts, and, kind Mr Reader, you must overlook his lack of formality, because the captain is an old salt and his manners are a little briny

In way of further explanation, Ifrom a trip to Hawaii in which they have explored the wonderful crater of Haleapala on the Island of Maui, and their shi+p the _Sea Eagle_, whose capture is another story, is pointing her prow eastward through the rough channel that separates Hawaii and Maui

They are en route to the coast of California, and as soon as they land they have planned toexpedition into the wilds of The Sierra Nevadas, in search of a lost mine, rumors of which have come to their ears Besides the three Frontier Boys and their comrade Juarez, there is their friend Jeems Howell, a shepherd and philosopher, from a small island off the coast of California; Captain Kerns, a retired shi+p'smerely to supervise; Ji coenerally referred to as skipper And besides these, there is old Pete, an ancient ood deal of the stoking

Besides these _draeneral chorus of Mermen and Merton would say, it was the sharks that _et all_ But this is no reflection upon the appetites of the boys, which was invariably good, if we ton and Jeems Howell just at the present e: as the principals have been introduced and are ready, they can coers, so that the referee, being the writer, hasa free field and no favor It is a tough beginning as far as sea way goes The hour is close upon ht in mid-channel, and that is no dreale_

”That time she lapped the starboard boat into the water,” yelled Jim

”Hold steady now, lads”

Then up rose the shi+p on the other roll to larboard; over, over, over she went; would she never stop? Then with a straining of all her timbers, that had all the effort of severe muscular tension, she did stop, then back she rolled on the other tack which was equally as sharp, the brass balls on top of her , it see the _Sea Eagle_ would then dip under a huge wave and the water would swish and roll aft along the h the taut ropes, and altogether it was a lively night, even if the sturdy old captain did discount its terrors Occasionally Jiainst the side; but as a rule they kept their sea legs in good shape