A Runaway Brig;

ave now and then when Jim took his place that he might go into the

ita plunged on through the dense gloom and over the howling waters without receiving any answer to the mute appeal for aid, their despair was intense. To have been so near those who mi

m on the ship to lend us a hand, even if they wanted to, an' we must keep a stiff upper lip till the weather clears a bit. By this time to-morrow there may be a full crew on board, an' the brig

ould not witness the conflict of the elements, and when Jim went aft again they sought refuge in the cabin

dawned, and Jim prepared an appetiz

unged and rolled on her way southward, for the wind's direction had not changed by so m

ing to dispel the gloom of night, Jim asked if it was not possible to stand nearer the

e there wouldn't be the ghost of a chance to get ashore. We'll keep her as she goes till this wind blows itself out, an' then take to the boat if th

appeared within the anxious watchers' range of vision. Harry and Walter were eager to be of some assistance; but beyon

y condition for the work before them, and once more Harry and Walter retired to the cabin, knowing

ill holding from the north, however; and Bob said, with a

od men aboard how quick the old hooker'

a vessel why can't you

n'. You an' I must have a good bit of help from the watch

and privations of the nine days in the Trade Wind's yawl, and although there was but little labor involved in suc

ome argument which might induce the old sailor to take greater risks. "There was a fishin' schooner from Newb

fever. I could spin yarns from now till daylight 'bout jes' sich cases; we're fixed different. None of us knows navigation, an' its got to be all dead reckonin', which is a pretty shaky way of runnin' even a fishin' schooner. The

tough on the boys. I can see 'em, when they think I ain't lookin', wipin' their eyes an' actin' like as if it wouldn't take much to make

ys than take chances on a raft. Sailorizin' is a mighty risky thing for green hands, an' while I can hold my own among the best of '

lty of reaching port unless under the most favorable circumstances; and now since Bob ha

aken him in the event of a sudden emergency, laid down on the deck to leeward o

cused for shrinking; but it was a matter which could not well be bettered, and the boy stood up to it bravely. Now and then the white crest of a wave in the distance caused him to start with joy,

vacated by the old sailor; and when his eyes were closed in slumber he did not open them

of irritation in his tone. "I was better able to stand watch than

t sleepy there could be no reason for pullin' you out. We'll square it before dark, though. Now s'posen we get a li

uctions with the greatest alacrity. When Harry and Walter were awakened they went aft to their teacher in seamanship, while the

in the galley, and Harry steered while Jim stood beside him to make sure the Bonita was kept on

, and for a very good reason. Before daylight the breeze had died away entirely, and at nine o'clock the Bonita was rising

d rail as an awning, for the heat in the cabin was too great to admit of their

d idleness, while the boys thought of home and the loved ones whom they might never see again. The seconds came and went until the sun was directly overhead,

pedo beneath her keel, and the fore hatch was flung high in the air

either of speech or movement, and they might have remained staring stupid

water can be got out in a hurry! There's no time to be lost if

as nearest at hand, and in a very few moments there was a reasonably large but varied collection of canned provisions in the yawl. No water had

thing to drink, for we can't get on

said decidedly, "'cause you see I know what it is to be thirsty.

nce of some mighty conflagration below; but before a supply of water could be put on the yawl it had fined down

the fire out," he said; and Bob re

k below. We don't want to abandon the brig

ady to lower away at a moment's notice, and in a few s

s had passed and Bob did not make his appearance. "He could

and can't get back," Harry sug

ing only long enough to make the falls fast they rushed for

; and the reply astonished them q

n't even

t caused

e as to why this craft was abandoned. There was an explosion same as happened a few minutes ago, an' all hands thought what we did-that the brig was on fire. They hove her to an' got the boats over, most likely meanin' to lay at a safe distance until it was possible to find out what would happen. The mainsail was stowed, so she had no after-canvas to hold

oncluded there was a look of most intense relief on their faces. Up to this moment the brig herself terrified them because of what had possibly happ

or abandoning her?" Harry

let the gas out, an' run her in on the coast if we do

would you fix it?" Jim asked, remembering what the o

re till we sighted a New York pilot-boat

in front of Harry's father's store, which is close by the wharves; and I guess

he would try to make that port if he could find some sailors to help him; but accor

moment, and then the nights won't se

in' 'bout findin' hisself on a haunted vessel. He never'd put his mark to the articles till after he'd asked all about the craft, an' whether there was any ghosts aboard. Now, you let a man go nosin' 'round expectin' to see things, an' it happe

s within sight of Sandy Hook, he saw, or thought he did, the biggest kind of a ghost makin' right for him with a bloody knife. Tom was on the maint'gallant-yard with another chap when the thing come. He give a big yell, singing o

self appeared to have lost sight of any moral; therefore, what had been intended as a strong argu

he cause of the brig's abandonment by her original crew; therefore they went below on a tour of inves

o gratify their curiosity, and then the amat