by any
means.

Jack suddenly uttered a yell that startled the others on the laboring
boats.

"I saw it, boys; it's all right! Just follow after me; you first,
George; and Herb bringing up the rear. Ready now! Here goes!"

As he shouted these words at the top of his voice, for the water was
making considerable racket by now, Jack began to head straight for the
shore, so that the boat was soon running with the spinning sea.

If he had made a mistake, and the opening failed them, there could be
nothing left but to beach their boats, and to try to save themselves
from the wreckage as best they might.

But Jack had not made an error of judgment, for presently the others
also saw the creek, with its inviting mouth. Even timorous Nick was
only too delighted to find a safe harbor from the wild gale to care
just then what the name of the creek might happen to be; one was just
as good as another to them all.

Jack made the shelter, and George managed to swing in, though his boat
did almost go over, being struck on the side by a counter sea, when the
pilot was not expecting it, so that she seemed to hang there for a
second or two, in the balance.

But Nick rolled to the other side, and this dead weight was sufficient
to keep the narrow craft from going completely over; she righted, and
swept into the mouth of the creek.

The steady going old _Comfort_ came rolling in like a big tub, with
Herb and Josh not at all alarmed, such was their faith in the reliable
qualities of the staunch craft under their feet. And it might be
noticed that Herb's pride in his possession increased in proportion as
George's faith decreased. What suited one did not please the other at
all, apparently.

Making their way into the creek they tied up, being careful lest they
find themselves high and dry at low tide. Jack kept tabs on the state
of the tide, and at its flood wanted several more feet under him than
while it was at ebb.

"Let us give thanks," said Nick, with due reverence, as they found
themselves safe. "That was a nasty little scare, all right. Our old
_Wireless_ kicked like a bucking broncho; I say that, even though I
never rode a cow pony, and only saw the breed at the circus. Oh! I'm
glad to be alive right now, and able to eat a few more camp meals!"

No one even called him down for mentioning such a thing as food; for as
they had not taken the time to more than munch a few bites at noon, it
stood to reason that ever