more or less battle-scarred but their defects could be remedied in the
water. She had set the men to work already. There was a machine shop at
Anacapa on the opposite side of the island and a marine railway large
enough to take on the disabled craft. When the blow subsided, they could
put in there for temporary repairs.

The girl's eyes glowed with happiness as she totaled the catch of the
fishermen. Every boat was laden almost to its full capacity. With a
storm coming on and in the face of a probable shortage of fish, the
success of the night's work would reach a substantial figure.

"It's worth more than you know," put in Hawkins. "Wait until my yarn
gets into print and I'll show you." He smiled broadly and put out his
hand. "Then I want my rake-off, Cap. Gregory," he concluded.

"I won't forget you, Bill," Gregory was quick to answer. "Nor any one
else. I knew the boys would stand by to a finish. They sure came across
to-night."

He turned quickly to Dickie Lang. "When can we start out with the fish?"
he asked.

"Figuring to go at daybreak," the girl answered. "Better send Jack a
message right away so he can be ready for them. They'll have to buck the
blow so it will be afternoon by the time they get over."

She looked out across the faintly graying waters where brightening
lights began to appear from the shadowy hulls of the fishing-boats. Then
she inhaled the air hungrily.

"Look," she exclaimed. "The boys are getting breakfast. Let's go over to
the _Snipe_ and tie in with them. They've got a man there from the
regular navy who can surely cook."

Gregory and Hawkins welcomed the suggestion and a moment later they were
speeding away to answer to the first call for breakfast.

In the lea of San Anselmo, sheltered from the storm in the land-locked
little harbor of Cavalan, the American fleet rested from its labors. The
sailors gathered on the decks and greeted the new day over plates piled
high with crisp slices of bacon and fried eggs. The night had been long,
fraught with danger and fatiguing toil; but work and worry had endured
only for the night and joy came with the morning.

* * * * *

Silvanus Rock was nervous and ill-tempered. Consuming his third cup of
strong black coffee, he rose from the breakfast table and walked to the
French windows and glared out at the curling waves as they flung
themselves upon the beach.

His devoted spouse gazed after him with a sigh. "