"Wind enough to blow a fellow's head off," grumbled Dick. "It's worse than I thought."
"And listen to that water gurgling," observed Fenton. "Keep your eyes open for the 'Dauntless.'"
"Likely to meet her in the passageway," said Havens, grimly. "Hold on tight, fellows, and mind your heads!"
The sail rattled and banged as the boom swung around, while a sheet of water foamed over the sides. Already they were drawing near the space which separated the islands.
"Oh, we'll get smashed to bits," groaned Tom Clifton.
"Not on your life, sonny," laughed the skipper. "I could go through here with my eyes shut."
A moment more, and the "Dart" glided into comparatively smooth water.
"Oh, ho! This is better," remarked the "poet," cheerfully, "but I guess the next stretch will be worse than ever, eh, Bob?"
"We're going to be tossed about a bit, that's sure," commented the captain. "How wet are you, Chub, anyway?"
"Just a little more than if I'd been soused in the lake," laughed Dave. "Hello, here comes the finishing touch—rain, by Jove! Might as well get out and swim."