"Oh I think we can make it. I don't like to anchor out here all night. I have a pretty good idea of just where we are."
"The fog may lift before night."
The captain looked at his watch, and saw that it indicated nearly three o'clock.
"I'm afraid not. And likely it will be no better in the morning. I shall try to go in."
A fog-siren somewhere on the invisible shore was sending out its unearthly blasts. Then a whistle seemed to cut the gloom right ahead, and a big black shape loomed through the murk. The Merry Seas sounded her warning, and the helm was jammed hard a-starboard. Another shriek came from the phantom that had seemed to rise right out of the sea. With that shriek, she also swung off.
"I thought we were in for a collision!" said Frank, breathing more freely. "It will be a squeak as it is."
Elsie had nervously clutched him by the arm. All were moving back from the dangerous vicinity toward the other rail.
"A tug!" said Bart, who was standing near Merriwell.
The tug, which was a large one, seemed now fairly on top of them. In size, it was as large or larger than the Merry Seas. A collision of the two vessels would be a serious thing.
"We're going to strike, or scrape!" Frank warned, taking Inza and Elsie each by an arm. "Brace for it!"