CHAPTER VII.
A LESSON ON BUOYS.
Before Mr. Peters could make any reply to the rather equivocal remark of the keeper, Sidney, glancing over his shoulder carelessly, was startled into a cry of surprise, for they were close aboard the ledge, and, as if waiting for them, Uncle Zenas stood at the head of the little cove.
"What's the matter, Sonny?" Captain Eph asked solicitously.
"Nothing serious, sir. I was surprised at seeing that we were so near the light. The boat has made better time than when we went over, and yet I didn't know I was running the motor any faster."
"Very likely you kept the same pace with the machine; but this 'ere wind has been pushin' us along a good two miles an hour," the keeper replied as he waved his hand in greeting to Uncle Zenas.
"Ahoy on the boat!" the cook shouted as if he was hailing a ship half a mile distant, and Mr. Peters took it upon himself to reply:
"Hello! What seems to be creepin' over you?"
"Did I put bakin' powder on that 'ere list?"
"That you did, an' the cap'n has brought what'll last six months, even if you sit up nights tryin' to work it inter somethin' that we're bound to eat 'cause we can't get anything else."
"Way enough, Sonny!" Captain Eph cried at this moment, and Sidney shut off the supply of gas, thus bringing the screw gradually to a standstill.