70 ALONG THE FLORIDA IlEEF. 



" I suppose he knows what he's about/' whis- 

 pered Harry to Dick. 



" Slack off the fore-sheet ! " shouted Long 

 John quickly, standing up now and scanning the 

 distant fort. 



The commodore did as directed, and the boat 

 bent over and rushed headlong toward the reef, 

 seemingly to destruction. 



" I don't care to swim in that surf," said 

 Harry, looking uneasily at the mass of foam they 

 were rapidly approaching. 



" You won't have to swim," answered Long 

 John, who had overheard him, " if you hang on 

 tight." 



It was too late to object, so they all drew a 

 long breath and "hung on tight," as advised. 

 With a mighty rush the boat plunged into the 

 breakers ; now on top of one, again nearly buried 

 under another, careening over so that the boys 

 sprang to the windward, then luffing and sliding 

 close by one almost bare head of coral to avoid 

 another ; covered with foam and spray, drenched 

 from head to foot, and almost before they could 

 catch their breath, they were over the reef, safe 



