A Runaway Brig;

f them believed she should have been left to sink. By making Joe Taylor a member of the crew the brig could be worked under lower sail

once to the lazaret for such materials as would be needed. Joe Taylor disappeared in the Sea Bird's e

ch better we're off by taking charge of another craft?" Walter asked dis

ut. If the tug is kept a

Harry added; "and then we'l

o many days, for she can be aba

to make any attempt at saving her. Walter's father and mine would be willing to p

eerful. Neither Bob nor the engineer would listen to us if we said the tu

r from the coast that the tug was five days out at the time of the collision, which means ten for a sailing ves

sh, an' nobody can ever tell what kind of a scheme they're likely to strike. This much is certa

navigate, and go on the tug as far us her coal will carry us," Harry suggest

chances ten days' sail from the coast on the brig than go aboard a steamer like her for a trip half the

g-sail, and the boys were prevented from holding any f

ss, save for the lazy swell which caused both crafts to rise and fall i

nvas on deck, he made his way toward the carpenter's-room. "I've seen cra

ening it down firmly with copper nails. This temporary stoppage of the leak was carried as far below the surface as was possible without diving, and when the aperture had been thus closed a hea

e, and the laborers rested only long enough to partake of a

this calm lasts. We've got to brace our canvas on the inside so it'll stand a heavy

t so much chafing as would even rub the paint. There was no reason why all hands, save one to stand watch, should not work in the hold, for they could be of

secured such timbers as were needed, and with every one wo

As a matter of course it was impossible to fasten this except at the ends, and a heavy sea would soon wrench it

thing approaching stormy weather the tug would soon founder; but during such a "Dut

siphon, which had been in constant use to keep the furnace from being flooded, now pumped her almost dry, an

ay," he added, after an inspection had b

the engineer replied, "and

must tow alongside, unless the sea gets too high; for seein's how Jim an' me have got

d the necessary pressure two stout hawsers were made fast for

further?" Jim asked whe

comes from. Harry an' I'll take the first watch, so you an' Walt'd better turn in, for it's

second time. The labor of the past fifteen hours had very nearly exhausted them

d not be relieved from duty, and when the old sailor went to consult

on one of the bunkers. If you ring the gong once every fifteen or twenty minutes I shall be awakened to see that eve

pilot-house. The Bonita's helm had been lashed amidships, and, save in the ev

and for the time being all desire for slumber was driven from Harry's eyes by

se, although having had no rest for many hours, he stood at hi

the homeward cruise began. It is true the night was dark, even the stars being obscured by

ld prevent their sighting the mainland before the tug's coal was exhausted. He walked fore and aft on the brig's deck in ord

ong stretches on this voyage, an' my ey

lty, and, when Jim went into the Sea Bird's p

ry near; but for all that we may be to the east'ard of the Bahamas, an' it would be pretty tough to bring u

Jim was left alone at the wheel, trying to drive awa

body weary; therefore, in five minutes after the other watch had gone below he wen

and won't go to sleep. It don't seem as i

rt to arouse him. He knew by his own condition how difficult it was to remain awake, and gr

e can; there's really no n

lamp. The throbbing of the engine, the long, waving lines which marked the faint swell, and the whispering of the night air lulled the senses, despite

ed the fires, polished portions of the machinery which already shone like silver, and performed other needless tas

ained unconscious. Leaning over the wheel, with his head resting between the spo

anishing gloom a long, low, black line which half encircled the

red, rolled to starboard for an instant, when the tug came to a full stop with a crash and a quiver which sent the helm