"
"What?" asked Jack. He did not have to shout so loudly now, as the
storm seemed to be lessening in its fury.
"They're going to run in under the lea of Palm Island," said
Lieutenant Walling. "I guess they've had enough of it. This is the
beginning of the end. They must be in bad shape."
"Sinking--do you mean?" asked Walter.
"No, not exactly. But they may have run out of coal, and can't keep
the engines going any longer. Yes, that's what they're doing--making
for Palm Island."
"What sort of a place is that?" Jack wanted to know.
"A mighty ticklish sort of place to run for during a storm," was the
answer. "There's a bad coral reef at the entrance to the harbor, but
once you pass that you're all right. I wonder if they can navigate
it?"
"And if they don't?" asked Jack.
"Well, they'll pile her up on the reef, and she'll pound to pieces in
no time in this sea."
Walter and Jack followed the lieutenant to the after deck, where the
wheel was. There the revenue officer relieved Joe, the latter going
to his motor, which needed attention. The storm was constantly
growing less in violence.
As yet there was no sign of an island, but presently, through the
gathering darkness, there loomed up a black mass in the swirl of
white waters.
Now came the hard and risky work of getting in through the opening of
a dangerous coral reef to the sheltered harbor.
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