The water was coming in as fast as ever, although but little spray flew into the boat.
“She’s leaking!” cried Hodge.
Frank had made that discovery some time before, and it was for that reason he had turned about so suddenly and unexpectedly. He hoped to strike the Thimbles, and, as a desperate resort, he could pile the Jolly Sport high and dry on the beach.
Frank knew the boat would not hold to continue the desperate attempt to beat across the sound. He was not sure she would hold to reach the islands.
But what if they missed the islands entirely?
They would be driven out to sea, and the chances were a thousand to one that not one of them would ever live to again place a foot on dry land!
CHAPTER IV.
IN THE HOUR OF PERIL.
It was a terrible risk running blindly for those islands, but it seemed a still more terrible one to attempt to beat across the black sound.
The five lads in the boat held their breath, strained their eyes, listened.