“What for fool ’way time ’mong sponges? No good. We going to try for sponge? No? Well, why fool time that way? Holawanga! Too much time, no good!”
But they gave him not the slightest heed, and discussed the new plan with enthusiasm.
The next day was marred by a heavy thunderstorm, but in spite of it they made good progress down the coast. As the afternoon waned and the line of keys dwindled behind, the Arrow headed toward a group of islets where the United States has erected a lighthouse.
The keepers there were isolated from home and friends most of the time, but a straggly fleet of sponging craft from Nassau, Key West, and elsewhere flocked there in time of bad weather.
As night came on, the breeze freshened considerably. Across the surging water the light flashed like a great star. Once the Arrow sighted a dark bulk, black and impenetrable as the night then closing down, yet with rows of lights and with smoking funnels that now and then seemed to glow with internal fires. On it passed, heading straight for Elbow Key, but it gave no heed to the wallowing little sloop.
“By Jove, that’s a battleship!” exclaimed Norton. “In war paint, too!”
“Je-ru-sa-lem!” Hugh added excitedly. “Wish we were nearer her! Wonder which one she is?”
“We ain’t so interested in that, jest now,” said Captain Vinton gruffly. “What we want to do is to git under a lee shore soon’s possible; there’s a reg-lar young gale comin’ on.”
Through a haze that slowly thickened as the wind increased, they saw several sloops and schooners, most of them larger than the Arrow, riding at short cables; while a few others were driving under reefed sails from the sponging grounds farther out, to take similar positions of safety.
“Stand by to shorten sail,” ordered Vinton, and the boys and Norton worked busily. Dave gave his attention to a big coil of rope which he evidently intended to throw—where?