THE BOOK OF THE TARPON 



the way," said I to the captain, as the roar of 

 great waters came to my ear. 



"Wanted you to git a good look at it. Be- 

 sides we couldn't run away with this wind and 

 there won't be any in a minute." 



Even as he spoke the south wind ceased and a 

 gust from the north caught the sails aback and 

 set the boom banging over our heads. Puff after 

 puff struck us from one direction after another 

 until we seemed to be the battleground for the 

 four winds of heaven. 



"Start up the engine, please!" said the captain 

 to the Camera-man, and, "let go the halliards!" 

 he shouted to Joe, while he trimmed in the main 

 sheet till the boom swung amidships. As he was 

 helping Joe lash the mainsail to the boom the 

 propeller began to churn the water and he called 

 to me: 



"Head her for shore! Hold her straight for 

 the point north o' Shark River!" 



When the captain got back to the wheel the 

 waterspout was dangerously near with its um- 

 brella-like top almost overhanging us. 



"Wouldn't it have been better to run out into 

 the Gulf?" I asked. 



