th a gentle heave, and Jo was almost
paralyzed with fright, and even Juarez turned somewhat pale. However,
it was only an unusually large wave that had raised the whale up and
allowed the placid carcass to slide down again.

"Ahoy there, squall coming!" hailed the captain's voice from the
quarter deck of the _Sea Eagle_. "Get aboard quick."

The boys obeyed, but with obvious reluctance, for the whale had much
of interest for them yet. But they saw the squall whitening over the
ocean from the northwest quarter, and coming with great rapidity.

"We don't want to worry the old man any more to-day," suggested Jim,
"so we will pull for the shore."

CHAPTER VIII

A RACE

Even then they were none too quick, for as they were swinging the boat
to the davits the squall struck the _Sea Eagle_, heeling her well
over, and there was a rush and roar of wind and flying spray from the
yeasty seas. It was fun while it lasted. The prow of the ship was
turned eastward once more, leaving the whale, but not alone.

Already the birds were gathering to their feast, and from all
directions cut the dark-finned sharks to get their share. In a short
time all was turmoil about the whale, fluttering wings and whirling
foamy water. This was too good a target for the boys, so they decided
to give the crazy cannibal crew a surprise.

"Let's give those beggars a farewell salute, Juarez," cried Jim.

"I'm with you," he replied.

"What's the distance?" inquired Jo.

"Quarter of a mile," hazarded Tom.

"It's nearer a half," replied Jim.

"It don't look it," put in Jo.

"That's because objects on the ocean seem nearer than they do on
land."

"Why is that so?" inquired the ever inquisitive Tom.

Jim was clearly stumped by this inquiry, but he did not let on that he
was puzzled in the least.

"No time to tell you now. That gun is about ready to fire."

"You don't know," jeered Tom, "that's just an excuse."

"Show you later if you can't study it out for yourself," remarked Jim
nonchalantly.

Juarez now had the cannon loaded and ready to fire. The _Sea Eagle_
was moving obliquely away from the storm-center and it was a very
difficult shot, but still a possible one on account of the size of the
target. The old captain took much interest in the skill of his protege
Jim, whom he considered worthy to be enrolled in the straight-shooting
American navy. He stood with his sturdy figure well braced and the
glass in hand ready to mark