So we shall, as soon as Shink sends in our hot malted milk. He claims it will soothe any nerves the way he can concoct it. I ordered him to prepare a cauldronful for the crew, too, as they needed calming more than any one I ever saw. Not from fear or nerves, but from doing the work of ten times their number in order to keep us afloat. Mr. Dalken seemed seriously thoughtful for a moment after he spoke, then he added:
I am the only one here who realizes the close call we had. The Captain with his preventive measures before the storm broke, and the ready obedience of his crew, saved us this night. Not only did we run foul of one of the fiercest hurricanes that sweep over the sea at this latitude, but we also managed to get under the deluge that broke when the hurricane began to lose power and let go its hold on the great mass of water it managed to hold aloft during its swift circling about our poor little craft.
Thank God for that Swedish lad! Had it not been for his powerful muscle in the moment of extremity, we would now be without a Captain. It all happened so suddenly that no one had time to think. The sudden cloud burst, or water spout, fell just as Captain Blake started to cross the deck, and the volume of water would have carried him overboard but for that young giant. Instead of thinking he acted. He threw an arm about the brass bar and caught hold of the Captains arm as he was washed past him. With a grip like steel the rescuer managed to work his way, hand over hand clutching to the water-washed rail, until he had reached safety.
Well, such is the life of a sea-faring man! concluded Mr. Dalken, as he sat and thought of the past danger.
CHAPTER V TOUCHING AT PALM BEACH
Said Eleanor to Polly one night before retiring: If I were Dalky Id take Elizabeth to the express train going to New York and Id ship her home to her butterfly mother!
Its one thing to say such a thing, but quite another matter to accomplish it, returned Polly.
Well, anyway, we may find some way in which to leave her behind when we touch at Jacksonville or Palm Beach.
Oh! Are we going to stop at Palm Beach? exclaimed Polly.
Why, yes! Didnt you know? It was Elizabeths coaxing that caused Dalky to agree to stop over there to have dinner at the Ponce de Leon. Perhaps we shall spend the evening there and return to the ship to sleep.
Thats great! If Elizabeth should meet any of her New York friends at the hotel she may prefer to remain, ventured Polly.
Im hoping the same thing. If only we could hypnotize people we might bring some one she likes right into her pathway, laughed Eleanor as she jumped into bed.
The following morning the yacht reached Jacksonville where Tom Latimer was supposed to leave his friends and start back North. But John and Anne Brewster were persuaded
to remain on board with their friends till they reached Palm Beach, hence Tom decided to remain too, and thence accompany his bosom friend John back to New York.
If Tom insists upon dogging my every step as he has been doing on the yacht, I dont see that I am going to have a good time, pouted Polly, as she heard Eleanors news that Tom would go on to Palm Beach.
Eleanor laughed teasingly. Thats what a young girl gets for having a beau who is daffy over her!
But, Nolla, complained Polly, it isnt my fault that Tom wont take a broad hint to mind his own business!
Perhaps he thinks this is his business the business of getting the girl he has made up his mind to marry, declared Eleanor.
Well, then! You can just tell him from me, Nolla, that he is going about it in exactly the wrong way to interest me in himself. A girl hates to be tagged, just as a man loses interest in a girl who is forever putting herself in his way to be noticed.
Ill tell him! agreed Eleanor, laughingly.
But it was not necessary that Eleanor warn Tom of his over-zealous attentions to Polly, because a general surprise awaited the mariners when the vessel docked. Not only did Eleanor find a telegram from her father, in which he said that unexpected trouble at his bank kept him in Chicago, and prevented his joining the happy friends on the White Crest, but Mr. Dalken also found his ward, John Baxter, and his friend Raymond Ames waiting to come aboard. Every one believed Jack to be in New York.
Well, well, boys, where did you hail from? was Mr. Dalkens first words as the two young men leaped upon the deck and ran to present themselves.
Why, immediately after you sailed I met my friend Ray who was bound for a position in Panama. Being so lonesome with all you friends away, it took but little coaxing from him to persuade me to accompany him, explained Jack.
Even while the new-comers were being overwhelmed with questions from the mariners, Mr. Dalken called a hasty council of war and discussed the advisability of going ashore to see the town, or to continue on to Palm Beach. It was unanimously decided that Jacksonville contained nothing of interest to the sailors, the three guests just arrived, having seen all they wanted to see at the city. Hence orders were given to pull up anchor and sail away to the famous winter resort where all and sundry kinds of sport might be found.