Page:Fairview Boys at Lighthouse Cove.djvu/113

Rh Skip for a while, anyhow, if it doesn't storm again. But let's have a try on this schooner. We'll have more room there, and if it does get rough we won't mind it so."

They all agreed with this plan, and soon a rope from the motor boat was made fast to a cable from the schooner. Then, making sure they would not lose the Skip, the boys pulled themselves over the rail of the Mary Ellen, and landed on her deck.

They looked about them curiously. There was not a sound except the creaking of ropes in pulley blocks, and the rattle and bang of the sails as they swung to and fro, not being held in check by the main sheets.

"There doesn't seem to be anybody here," said Bob. He spoke in a low voice, as though someone were dead.

"Not a soul," went on Sammy, in the same quiet tones.

The big boom of the forward sail swung across the deck over the heads of the boys. They ducked, but there was no need for it.

"We could make that fast, anyhow," suggested Frank.

"That's right," agreed Bob.

As my old readers know, the boys had sailed in the Puff before it was wrecked, and knew a little about such matters.

By hauling on a certain rope they pulled the end of the boom, or the bottom stick to which the sail is fastened, around so that it could not swing so far to either side. Then they did the same with the other sail.

"Come on, let's take a look below," said Frank.

The boys hesitated for a moment, and then started for the companionway, or stairs, that led below.