A STRANGE SOUND
George recognized the wisdom of such a move as his chum suggested. If
the wind kept on increasing as it seemed bound to do, and the storm
broke upon them in all its mid-summer violence, the cranky speed boat
would be apt to feel the effect more than either of the other craft.
It was therefore of great importance that he and Josh seek the promised
shelter with all haste. Much as he disliked leaving the balance of the
fleet, necessity seemed to compel such a move.
Accordingly, he threw on all the motive power his engine was capable of
developing, and began to leave the others quickly in the lurch.
Jack could easily have gone ahead of the heavy _Comfort_, but he did not
mean to do so. Better that they stick together, so as to be able to
render assistance if it were badly needed.
Talking across the narrow abyss of water separating the two boats was
altogether out of the question, unless one shouted. There was no time
for an exchange of opinions, since all of them needed to keep their wits
on the alert, in order to meet the dangers that impended.
Already had the waves grown in size. They were getting heavier with
every passing minute; and the little motor boats began to actually
wallow, unless headed directly into the washing seas.
It was a critical time for all concerned, and Nick could be seen with
his cork life-preserver carefully fastened about his stout body under
the arms, as if prepared for the very worst that could happen.
It was about this time that Jimmie gave a shrill whoop.
"They done it!" he yelled, regardless of the rules of grammar, such was
his delight. "The ould _Wireless_ is safe beyant the p'int!"
Jack saw that what he said seemed to be so. The speed boat had evidently
managed to reach a spot where the jutting tongue of land helped to
shield her from the oncoming waves. She no longer plunged up and down
like a cork on the water, though continuing her onward progress.
The sight spurred the others on to renewed zeal. If George could do it,
then the same measure of success should come their way.
Five minutes later Jack noticed that there was an apparent abatement of
the wild fury with which the heaving billows were beating against the
bow of his little craft. A look ahead told him the comforting news that
already was the extreme point standing between the two boats and the
sweep of the seas.
"We do be safe!" shouted Jimmie; who, in his excitable way seemed ready
to try and dance a jig then and there, an operation that would have been
attended with considerable danger to the safety of the _Tramp's_ human
cargo.
"And not a minute too soon!" said Jack, as a sudden gust of wind tore
past, that might have been fatal to his boat had it been wallowing in
one of those seas just then.
As it was, they had about all they could do to push on against the
fierce gale, protected as they were by the cape of land. The spray was
flying furiously over that point, as the waves dashed against its
further side. But the boys knew they were safe from harm, and could
stand a wetting with some degree of patience.
George was waiting for them, his anchor down, at a point he considered
the best they could make for the present. He had managed to pull on his
oilskins, and was looking just like a seasoned old tar as the other
boats drew in.
Jimmie and Nick were ready with the mudhooks, under the directions
of their respective skippers. Hardly had these found a temporary
resting-place at the bottom, than all four lads seized upon their
rainproof suits, and presently they were as well provided against the
downpour as George.
And the rain certainly did descend in a deluge for a short time. They
had all they could do to prevent the boats from being half swamped, such
was the tremendous violence with which the torrent was hurled against
them by the howling wind.
But after all, it was only a summer squall. In less than half an hour
the sun peeped out, as if smiling over the deluge of tears. The wind had
gone down before, but of course the waves were still rolling very
heavily outside.
"That settles our going on today!" declared George, as he pointed at
the outer terminus of the cape, past which they could see the rollers
chasing one another, as if in a great game of tag.
"It's pretty late in the afternoon anyhow," declared Josh, who was
secretly worried for fear lest his rather reckless skipper might want
to put forth again.
"Yes, and we might look a long way ahead without finding a chance to
drop into a harbor as good as this," remarked Herb.
"You're all right," laughed Jack; "and we'd be sillies to even dream of
leaving this bully nook now. Besides, if tomorrow is decent, we can make
an extra early start in the morning, and get to Mackinac before dark."
"That suits me all right," Nick observed, as he complacently started to
remove his oilskins, so that he could pay attention to the bulky cork
life preserver, which he did not mean to wear all night.
They found that it was possible to make a point much closer to the
shore, and it was decided to do so, especially after sharp-eyed Jimmie
had discovered signs of a farm near by, possibly belonging to a grower
of apples, since a vast orchard seemed to cover many acres.
"I hope that big power boat wasn't caught in that stiff blow," Jack
remarked, as they were getting ready to go ashore in order to stretch
their legs a bit and look around.
"Oh! I guess they must have made Mackinac," said George. "She was a
hurry-boat, all right, and the wind would not bother her like it did our
small fry."
"Thank you, George, for that comforting remark. I was really getting
worried myself about the _Mermaid_," observed Nick.
"Listen to Buster, would you, fellows?" cried Josh. "I never thought
he'd go back on the girls we left behind us, and particularly Rosie!"
But Nick only grinned as they joined in the laugh.
"I'm a privileged character now," he asserted, stoutly. "A sailor is
said to have a best girl in every port, you know, fellows. And every one
of you will agree with me that Sallie Bliss is as pretty as a peach."
"And just your size too, Buster," declared Herb.
"Look out for an engagement with some dime museum company as the
fat"--started Josh; when he had to dodge something thrown at him by the
object of this persecution, and the sentence was never completed.
The ground being sandy close to the water, they concluded to start a
fire, so as to cook supper ashore, since it was so much more "homey" as
Nick said, for them to be together at mealtimes. But all were of the
opinion that it would be advisable to sleep on board.
"Another hot squall might spring up during the night," observed George,
"and just fancy our tents going sailing off to sea. Of course I don't
hanker about putting in a night in such cramped quarters as my narrow
boat affords; but it can't come anywhere near what I went through with
when Buster was my shipmate, down on the Mississippi."
"And then somebody ought to go after milk and eggs," suggested Herb.
"Here, don't everybody look at me," Nick bridled up. "I guess it's the
turn of another bunch this time. Josh and myself have served our country
as haulers of the necessities."
"But every farmer doesn't own a bull, Buster," remarked George.
"Well, I object to bulldogs just as much. Little fellows are all right,
likewise pussy cats; but deliver me from the kind that hold on to all
they grab. Nixey. You and Jack try it this time, George."
"That's only fair," spoke up the latter, immediately.
"Well," said George, "if we're going, the sooner we start the better;
because you see the old sun is hanging right over the horizon."
"And I'm nearly caved in for want of proper nourishment," grumbled Nick.
No one paid any particular attention to his remark; because that
condition was a regular part of his lamentations several times a day.
The only time Nick seemed to be in a state of absolute contentment was
the half hour following a gorging bee; and then he beamed satisfaction.
Accordingly the pair started forth, armed with a tin bucket for the
milk. George had no great love for biting dogs himself, and as they
approached the vicinity of the farm buildings he suggested to his
companion that they arm themselves with stout canes, with which they
might defend themselves in case of an emergency.
"Looks like a prosperous place, all right," Jack observed as they saw
the buildings and the neat appearance of things in general.
"But seems to me it's awful lonely here," remarked George. "Where can
the people all be? Don't see any children about, or women folks. Plenty
of cows and chickens, but sure they can't take care of themselves."
"Well, hardly," laughed Jack. "We'll run across somebody soon. Let's
head for the barn first. Generally at this time you'll find the men busy
there, taking care of the horses, and the pigs."
"I hear hogs grunting," remarked George.
"Well, I got the same sound myself; but do you know it struck me more
like a groan!" Jack said, in a voice somewhat awed.
"A groan! Gee; what do you mean, Jack?" exclaimed the other, turning
toward his chum with a white face.
"Just what I said," Jack replied. "And listen, there it is again. Now I
know it was no swine you heard, George. That sound was from the barn.
Come on. I'm afraid somebody's in trouble here!"