Browning gasped the words, for the monster had not swerved from its original course, and it dashed past the boat some distance astern.
Even then Frank was not satisfied that the danger was past. He expected to see the whale stop, turn about and rush at them again.
Nothing of the kind happened. The monster was headed straight for the distant passage that led out between the islands toward the lower bay and the open sea. He seemed to be in a great hurry, too, for he made the water fly as he sped along, the waves in his wake causing the little boat to rock when he had passed.
Merriwell stopped pulling and sat watching the whale, never uttering a word till it had passed out of sight far down the bay. Then he turned and observed:
"It's plain enough that he doesn't consider it healthy around here, and he is in a hurry to get away."
There was a smile on his face, and he seemed quite undisturbed by what had happened.
"Oh, Frank!" cried Inza, "what if he had struck us?"
"He would have bumped his nose."
"Oh, how can you joke now!"