CHAPTER XX
NODDY'S COMPANION
Now the storm had broken in all its power. How the wind whistled overthe boat, almost tearing the awning loose! But Sam had seen to thefastenings, and the old sailor well knew the awful force of a gale. Thesail, too, held, though it needed all the strength of the ropes Sam hadcarefully placed here and there to brace it.
"Take the wheel!" roared Sam to Jerry. "I'll look after things here!"
Making his way as best he could along the rolling and pitching boat,Jerry grasped the steering apparatus. It was all he could do to holdthe helm, so violently was the rudder twisted from side to side.
Well for those aboard the _Dartaway_ that she was a stanch craft,well that she had been built with a view to hard service. For now herstoutness was called upon, and now was her stability likely to betested to the utmost.
Once the first fury of the blast was over the boys did not seem tomind it so much. It did not appear to blow so hard when they werescudding along with the wind. The sea was soon a rolling mass ofbillows, but the _Dartaway_ with her watertight compartments, rodeover the waves like a duck. True, she was tossed here and there, buther covered bow and stern did not allow any water to enter, while thespray, except now and then in a violent gust, was prevented from comingaboard by the stout awning.
The red and green side lights had been set aglow some time before,though it is doubtful if they could be seen ten feet away, because ofthe tossing waves.
"Let's start the search-light," said Ned. "It will show us where we aregoing and prevent us being run down."
Sam said it would be a good plan, and the beacon was soon ignited,sending out its glaring pencil of light over the dark and angry waters.
"She'll stand to come in a bit," called Sam to Jerry. "Hold as closeto the wind as you can, and we'll try and scud along the coast. We mayfetch up somewhere on a point if we're not too far out."
Jerry shifted the wheel, and the _Dartaway_, answering well to her newpower, changed her course. Suddenly it began to rain, a downpour soviolent that it served in a measure to flatten down the crests of thewaves.
Though the rain served this good turn, it was unwelcome on anotheraccount. Tight as the awning was, much water now came in through theflaps that would blow open a bit, in spite of Sam's efforts. In alittle while there was scarcely a dry spot aboard the boat, and theoccupants were wet through.
But, in spite of their terror (and the boys were not ashamed to admitthey were frightened); in spite of their plight which was about as badas could be, there was a certain feeling of pride in their boat. It wasa gallant craft, and the lads, more than ever, felt the _Dartaway_ wasa friend indeed.
On and on the wind drove her. It was impossible to tell where theywere. The searchlight showed a waste of heaving waters and a downpourof rain, that fell on the top of the canopy as though it would beat itdown about the heads of the occupants of the craft. The wind blew moresteadily now.
"We're all right," spoke Sam, encouragingly. "We'll weather the gale."
A small acetylene lamp inside the awnings gave light and by itsglow Ned made some coffee on the gasolene stove. It took the lastof their slender supply of water, but Sam said they had better keeptheir strength up through the storm, as they would probably get helpby morning. Then, with the ten sardines and the crackers they made amidnight lunch which, in spite of the surrounding, was much enjoyed.
Through the whole of the night they were driven by the storm. How hesteered Jerry never knew. It was going it blind, in the dark. But the_Dartaway_ carried them safe, and, when morning dawned, the rain hadceased, the sun came up and the wind had become merely a fresh breeze.It had shifted its direction again, at which Sam, after a glance at thecompass, uttered a joyful cry.
"Couldn't be better," he announced. "It'll take us right back homeagain. Say, you boys are certainly lucky!"
They opened the awnings and let the boat dry out. Then, with the windat their backs, filling the sail, which had been made as large aspossible, they headed for home.
"No breakfast!" sighed Chunky, but to himself. He did not want theothers to overhear.
No one except the fleshy youth seemed to mind the lack of food,however, though all were very thirsty, and there was not a drop ofwater aboard.
"We ought to make land by noon, at this rate," Sam said.
Chunky said nothing, but he pulled his belt a little tighter across hisstomach. He seemed to feel better, when he had thus reduced the "sizeof his hunger."
It was about ten o'clock that morning when Sam, who was steering, cried:
"There's the lighthouse, boys! We'll put in there for repairs."
There, looming up in the sun was the big white tower that stood on arocky point which jutted out from the main land. It was still severalmiles away, but their present course was taking them straight towardit. It was the lower or South light, as it was called, the one the boyshad intended to visit, but which they had not as yet.
"I hope he's got gasolene there," said Jerry. "I can mend the tank, andwe can soon be home."
"I guess Peter Hardack, the keeper, can fix you up," spoke Sam. "Hekeeps a lot of supplies on hand."
An hour later they were at the lighthouse. The keeper saw them comingand was down to his small dock to meet them. When he saw Sam thekeeper exclaimed:
"If it isn't my old friend! What have you done, turned motor pirate?"
The sailor briefly explained their plight.
"Come right in!" exclaimed the hospitable Mr. Hardack. "I'll get yousome breakfast and you can dry your clothes."
"Have you any gasolene, and can we send a message to Harmon Beach?"asked Jerry anxiously.
"Both, sonny. Come right in."
The boat was made fast to the dock, and the little party of marinerswere escorted into the living rooms of the lighthouse, which were in asmall apartment built around the base of the tower.
"Here Jessica!" called Mr. Hardack. "Jessica! Where are you?"
"Coming, uncle," called a voice, and a tall pretty girl entered theroom, stopping in confusion at the sight of the strangers.
"Here are some almost-shipwrecked people," the keeper went on with asmile. "They want some hot coffee, and anything else you have."
"Don't go to any trouble," said Ned, and Bob glared at his chum.
"Oh it's no trouble. My niece will see to things. And take care of thecat, too."
While breakfast was being prepared Jerry telephoned to a hotel near hismother's house and asked that a message be sent to relieve her worry.Then, having borrowed some old clothes of the keeper, the boys and Samdried their own.
After breakfast Jerry mended the leak in the gasolene tank, and, buyingsome of the fluid from the keeper, soon had the _Dartaway_ in shapefor another voyage. They bade their new friends good-bye, receiving aninvitation to come again, and soon they were back at Harmon Beach. Theytook the cat with them and Mrs. Hopkins made a pet of it.
They found there was some excitement over their absence all night, butMrs. Hopkins had come to regard the boys' escapades with a sort ofphilosophy. She believed the lads would turn up all right somehow.
Sam attended to the matter of the salvaged cargo. An agent for thesteamer came to the beach, and took charge of all the stuff that hadbeen saved from the sea. The sailor and the boys received a goodly sumfor the valuable bark they had saved.
It was about a week after this that the three lads had gone in theirboat to a small summer resort about three miles down the coast, wherethere were varied amusement features. They took in several of them,and, as they were strolling along the boardwalk, getting ready to comehome, Jerry nudged Ned.
"Who's that just ahead of us?" he asked.
Ned looked. At that moment a girl and a youth just in advance of thethree boys came under an electric light.
"Why, it's Noddy Nixon!" exclaimed Ned in a whisper.
"And who's with him?"
"The girl from the lighthouse! Jessica!"
The Motor Boys on the Atlantic; or, The Mystery of the Lighthouse Page 20