[CHAPTER XIX]
PERIL RIDES THE STORM WAVES
There were anxious hearts among the young cruisers as they started to leave the vicinity of the shore, and head out upon the big heaving seas.
So long as they could keep the boats’ bows on the danger would not be so great as if they tried to turn; when those foam-crested waves would strike them sideways, and threaten to turn them on their beam-ends; which would mean destruction.
The motors sang like angry bees whenever the little propellers chanced to be exposed after a retreating wave had passed. This was where the greatest peril lay; for the strain on the engine and shaft was terrific at such times, owing to the rapid change of pace.
So Jack, Herb and George found themselves compelled to stick constantly at the job, manipulating the lever, so as to shut off power with each passing wave.
They did not make fast time away from the shore; but at the end of half an hour had reached a point where it seemed the height of folly to go farther.
“How is it, George?” Jack sang out.