CHAPTER XI
ADRIFT ON THE OCEAN
"That's the end of Mr. Whale," remarked Sam, in somewhat sorrowfultones, as he looked at the trailing end of the severed rope. "Theregoes the best line I ever had, and a harpoon I wouldn't have lost for alot of money."
"Maybe the whale will die from the wound," said Jerry. "Anyway, he camenear making an end of us."
"So he did," replied Sam, brightening up. "It was the only thing to do.Maybe I got the iron in deep enough, but I didn't see any blood andthat's the way to tell."
"Shall we put back now?" asked Jerry.
"I s'pose we might as well. Can't do anything more here. Where's yourcompass? and I'll lay a course for you. It's getting so hazy, and we'vetwisted and turned so I can't tell where the beach is."
"Get out the compass, Bob," called Jerry.
"Compass? I haven't got the thing," Bob replied.
"Course you have. I gave it to you the other day, when we were fixingup the boat, and you told me you put it in the locker."
"I don't remember," Bob replied.
"I saw you have it," Ned said. "It was the new one, in a round metalcase."
"Oh, that!" exclaimed Chunky. "Was that the compass! I thought it was acan of peas or something like that."
"Well, never mind what you thought it was, hand it over," Jerry said.
"Why, I didn't put it in the locker," Bob answered.
"You didn't put it in!" exclaimed Ned. "What in the world did you dowith it?"
"Why, I thought we had enough canned peas on board, and I left it inthe boathouse until our supply would run low. It's there now, on ashelf. I thought it was something to eat."
"Well, you are the limit, Chunky!" exclaimed Jerry. "I always knew youreating habits would make trouble and now they have, sure enough."
"I couldn't help it," Bob said trying to think of some defense. "Whydidn't you tell me it wasn't anything to eat?"
"Hereafter I'll label everything I hand you," spoke Jerrysarcastically. "You're not safe aboard a boat!"
"No compass, eh?" questioned the old sailor. "Well, maybe one of youhave one for a watch charm, that would answer?"
But none of the boys had. The old sailor cast his eye toward theclouds, that were beginning to gather, and looked across the waste ofwaters. The haze was thickening.
"Are we in any danger?" asked Bob, his voice showing how anxious hefelt.
"Well, not right away," replied Sam. "Still it's going to be a riskto go in any direction. We may hit the shore and we may not. We maygo farther out to sea than would be safe, and we might run up on therocks. It's a ticklish position to be in. I remember one like it whenI was second mate on the _Rolling Porpoise_. We were cruising aroundthree days, without a drop to drink or anything to eat, before we foundthe ship that was hidden by the fog."
"We've got plenty to eat and lots of water to drink," said Bob. "That'sone comfort."
"And a mighty good one it is, when you're lost at sea," put in Sam.
"You wouldn't call us lost, would you?" asked Ned.
"I don't know what else it is," the sailor replied. "We don't knowwhich way to go, and that's as near lost as I want to be."
"It's your fault, Bob," said Jerry.
"Needn't rub it in, though," came from Chunky, in aggrieved tones.
"We'll do the best we can," spoke Sam. "You trust to me and I'll bringyou out of this if possible."
But, though Sam made light of the plight they were in, it was not oneto be easily passed over. The party was in a good boat, a craft thathad been tried on the open sea, and which had proven its stability. The_Dartaway_ was indeed a craft of which to be proud. But the boys werefarther out on the deep than they had been during the squall. Though itwas now calm, there was no telling how long it would remain so, and theincreasing haze seemed to promise a spell of bad weather.
"Let's make everything snug," suggested Sam. "That's the first thing todo. How about lights? We'll have to show 'em after dark, to avoid beingrun down."
"We have them," said Jerry. "Why, are we in any danger of collision?"
"Well, we're not exactly in the path of steamers that go up and downthe coast," the sailor replied, "but there's no telling when one willcome along. Best to prepare for 'em."
Under his direction the boys made fast all loose gear. Jerry looked tothe engine, found there was plenty of gasolene in the tank, and sawthat the awning posts were well secured. The covering was up, but theside curtains had not yet been let down. Then the red and green lightswere set aglow, as, though it would not be dark for some time, Sam saidthey ought to do as much as possible by daylight. There was no carbidefor the search light, but they did not think they would need it.
It was almost dark when all their preparations had been completed,and Sam took a long look around to see if he could, through the haze,make out anything that would serve for a mark to steer by. But it wasimpossible.
"Maybe I can get a glimpse of the stars," he said. "Once I get my eyeon the dipper I'm all right."
"I thought it was the north star that sailors steered by," spoke Ned.
"So it is, son, but there are two stars in the bowl of the dipper,called the pointers, that are right in line with the north star. Getyour eye on them pointers, and you can tell where the north star iseasier than if you don't see the big ladle," and Sam began tighteninganew some ropes which did not just suit him.
But even the stars were blotted out by the curtain of mist and Sam'shopes were blighted. However, he made the best of it.
"I'll risk it by the wind," he said.
"How's that?" asked Jerry.
"It's generally blowing off shore at this time of night. If we keep thebreeze in our faces we may strike the beach."
Accordingly the _Dartaway_ was headed into the teeth of the wind, andthe engine regulated to moderate speed. Through the darkness the craftsped over the waters. It was now night, and though the boys tried notto show their nervousness, they did not succeed very well.
It was one thing to be out in their boat all night on a lake or river.They knew in a case like that they were in no immediate danger. Butout on the ocean after dark, in a small craft, and not knowing theirposition, was a more serious proposition. Besides, there seemed to besomething "scary" in the mere thought of the vastness of the sea, thegreat depths, the monsters that inhabited it, and the great waves thatthe wind could raise in a short time.
"Let's put down the curtains," suggested the sailor. "We want all theshelter we can get, for it will be chilly by morning."
"Do you think we'll be out here all night?" asked Ned.
"Likely to. We came a good ways behind Mr. Whale, and we haven't goneback very far."
With the curtains down, and a couple of lanterns lighted inside, the_Dartaway's_ interior was a cosy enough place. Bob insisted on gettinganother meal, in spite of the fact that one had been served not so longago.
"That wasn't a regular supper," he declared. "This is," and he startedthe gasolene stove.
"We must set a watch," said Sam. "Have to take turns steering. Thereare four of us, and we'd better make it in two shifts. Jerry and I willtake the first one."
Ned and Bob declared they didn't feel like taking the time to sleepbefore their watch was called, as the novelty of the night at sea wastoo much for them. So they reclined on the bunks, talking, while Samwent to the wheel, and Jerry looked after the engine.
A little wind had sprung up and the sea was heaving more than at anytime since the strange cruise began. Still the _Dartaway_ was not introuble. She slid over the waves like a duck, and made good time,though it was guess work steering her.
They had been cruising in the teeth of the wind for about an hour, andNed and Bob were beginning to get a little sleep, in spite of theirdesire to remain awake, when there came a curious sound from the engine.
It was a combined cough, wheeze and squeak, and Jerry who had beenleaning back, jumped up to look at the motor. As he did so it came to astop.
"What's the t
rouble?" called Sam, from the wheel.
"Motor's stuck, that's all. I'll fix it," Jerry replied.