nough of itself. In these
wild seas it is not every one who can take in a boat safely through
such waters. Rob was wise enough to ask counsel of Skookie in this
matter, when at last they could see the rim of white water breaking
madly along the shingle.

The young Aleut did not seem much concerned. He told them to stop rowing
when they approached the first long ridge of breaking water, and with
his own oars he held the boat for a minute, looking astern and waiting
for the right instant. A great wave came in toward them, but just before
it broke Skookie gave a shout and they all fell to their oars, going in
just with the crest of this wave and keeping just ahead of where it
broke. Thus their boat was carried high up the beach.

At the right instant overboard went Skookie waist deep in the surging
white water. In an instant Rob was out on the other side. The receding
wave almost swept the dory back, but they held her; and another, lifting
her clear and carrying the boys off their feet for a moment, flung her
yet farther up the beach and at the edge of the high-water mark. As she
grounded this time they were all out and helped run her up high and dry.
Here they made her fast by the painter to a jagged rock which projected
from the wall at the edge of the beach. Then, too tired to do anything
further, and trembling now in the reaction which followed the peril from
which they had escaped, they flung themselves panting on the beach, with
pale faces looking out into the stormy sea which thundered at their
feet. They were all sobered thoroughly by their experience. At last Rob
spoke, standing up preparatory to the walk down the beach toward their
old barabbara.

"I know what I thought out there when she broke under us," said he; "and
I know what I _did_, too."

"Yes, and," said Jesse, as he and the others rose to follow him, "I know
what _I'm_ going to do before I go to sleep to-night, too. I'm going to
remember my prayers."

XXVII

THE MAN-HUNT

For several days after their fortunate escape from the storm at sea the
boys were willing enough to lie around their camps, resting, undertaking
no labor beyond that necessary in getting their daily food. About this
latter there was rarely any difficulty at all.

Of course, after a time all the birds in the lagoon were easily
frightened away, but once in a while during the coming week the young
hunters repeated their hunt with the thongs, and finally saw quite a
heap