Part 35 (1/2)

It was not so much a question of sea-sickness with the motor girls, as it was a fear of damage in a comparatively small craft. They had been on the water enough, and in stressful times, too, so that they suffered no qualms. But a storm at sea is ever a frightful sensation, to even the seasoned traveler.

”Why, that boat is headed right for us,” observed Belle, who had also come out of the dining cabin. As for Inez, she frankly did not like the water except when the sky was blue and the sun s.h.i.+ning, though she was far from being cowardly about it. So she remained below.

”Jack! Jack!” called Cora, for Walter and her brother had gone down to their stateroom to don ”sea togs,” as Jack called them--meaning thereby clothes that salt water would not damage.

”What is it, Sis?” he asked.

”There's another boat headed for us, perhaps she wants help?” Cora suggested.

”We'll give them all we can,” Jack called, as he came hurrying up.

Then, as he steadied himself at the rail, and looked off through the mist toward the on-coming boat, he uttered an exclamation.

”Why--that's the revenue cutter again!” he cried. ”I'm sure of it!

How about that, Joe?”

The engineer, who had left his machinery in charge of Slim Jim, for the time, cleared his eyes of the salty spray.

”I guess you're right,” he agreed. ”Couldn't make her out at first, but that's who she is. Guess she wants to ask us if we have any more information. Shall I heave to?”

”Better, I think,” advised Cora, following Jack's questioning glance.

For, be it known, Jack deferred more than usual to his sister on this cruise, since he had been under her direction, rather than she under his.

That it was the desire of the on-coming craft to have the Tartar slow up was evident a moment later. For, as the powerful motors revolved with less speed, a hail came over the heaving blue waters, that now had turned to a sickly green under the strange hue of the setting sun.

”On board the Tartar!” came the cry. Evidently the boat of our voyagers had not been forgotten.

”Ahoy!” shouted Jack, using a megaphone Cora handed him.

”Stand by!” was the next command. ”We want to send”--there came an undistinguishable word--”aboard.”

”They're going to send some one aboard!” cried Bess. ”Oh, if it should be our folks--mother and father-your mother, Cora dear!”

A flush of excitement gathered on Cora's cheeks. Belle, too, felt that something was impending. Jack, and Walter exchanged glances.

The sea was running higher now, under the influence of an ever-increasing wind, and it was no easy matter to lower a small boat from the cutter--a small boat containing three men.

”It's just as it was before--when they came to us for news,”

exclaimed Bess. ”I wonder if they bring us news, now.”

”They certainly aren't bringing any of our people,” said Cora with a sigh, for, though she had discounted the hope that Bess had expressed, yet she could not altogether free herself from it. It was evident that none save sailors were coming toward the Tartar.

And, when the small boat drew nearer, those aboard the gasoline craft saw that they were to receive the same Lieutenant Walling who had before paid them a visit.

”What is it, please?” asked Cora, leaning over the rail. She was unable to withhold her question longer.

”We have news for you!” exclaimed the lieutenant, the pause coming as he made an ineffectual grasp for the rail as his boat rose on the swell.

”News!” gasped Cora. Her heart was beating wildly now.