Part 7 (1/2)
Juarez now had the cannon loaded and ready to fire The _Sea Eagle_ wasobliquely away from the storm-center and it was a very difficult shot, but still a possible one on account of the size of the target The old captain took e Jiht-shooting Aure well braced and the glass in hand ready to ot that weepin' raised a leetle too high?”
he inquired anxiously of Ji a little over, sir,” replied Jim, ”because I think the shell will fall a little in that distance”
”I guess you know your business better than I do, Skipper,” replied the captain ”I was no shot 'cept with a blunderbuss that would scatter”
”Make a bull's-eye, Jied Juarez
”You mean a whale's eye,” put in Jo
”Humph!” said Jim, ”don't talk that way; you will ot no further, for Jim held up a cautionary hand
”Ready now,” he cried
The captain clapped the spy-glass to his eye, there was a roar and the quarter deck shook under their feet, then the captain shook the glass above his head
”Yer struck into the shark gang, Skipper,” he cried, ”I said you would be a recruit for John Paul Jones”
”Let reed Ji”
So Jo took his turn With due deliberation he ai little cannon aft toward the distant fray Then he fired, but the shot sent up a spurt fro too far away,” said Jiet in an accurate shot”
”Say, Jis seem closer on the ocean than they do on land” If pertinacity ton would no doubt reach the top of the ladder Jinorance, so he sparred for time
”Now, Tho for you, but if you will sit down and think for ten minutes and if at the end of that tiical conclusion, I will explain theout his silver tierous weapon if thrown, ”if you ain't ready with your explanation you will lose your place”
Ji with perfect nonchalance, but histo solve this problem, because Tom would never let up on hi But as an object nearer, anyway, in appearance on the ocean than on land?
Why? Perhaps it was the difference in ats appeared closer on account of the clarity of the air than they did at sea level
Six minutes passed, still no answer had coh he were the perfection of wisdoarded Tom serenely as he sat on the opposite side of the deck on a coil of rope, regarding his big brother skeptically Eightout his watch, recorded the fact with quiet triuht ht yet”
”Eight and a half,” he tolled, ”nine!” Jim was apparently entirely composed, but his mind had not yet reached a coht track, but the time was short
”Ten,” cried Tom ”Speak up, Professor”
”It's your place first,” he replied
”Give it up”
”Now listen carefully,” began Ji you don't quite understand, raise your hand”