from the schooner rail, for the larger vessel was not very high in the water.
"Say, hold on," said Frank, when they were about to go aboard. "What's the matter with us bringing our grub up from there, and staying here? It's safer here if it comes on to blow again, and we'll be more comfortable. We can use the captain's cabin, and have more room to move about."
"But it will be a lot of work to cook on that big coal stove," objected Sammy.
"We won't have to. We can hoist the Skip's oil stove up here. It isn't very big. There's probably oil aboard here, too. I say let's stay here."
"I do, too!" cried Bob; and so it was arranged. They went aboard the Skip to get food, for they did not feel that they should take the stores of the schooner.
Then the oil stove was hauled to the deck of the Mary Ellen by means of a rope. Fortunately the sea was very smooth while this was being done, so the boys had little trouble.
Then, rather tired from their work, and very hungry, they cooked a late breakfast, enjoying it very much.
"This is something like!" cried Frank, as he looked about the cozy cabin. "This is real traveling."
"We're not doing much traveling—we're letting the ship sail herself," remarked Sammy.
"Well, it's all we can do," said Bob. "And maybe we'll be worse off when it comes to a blow. But if only mom knew where we were, and that we were safe, I shouldn't mind. I'm afraid she'll worry, and get sick."
"I hope not," said Frank. "But we stand a better chance now of being picked up. Say, I never thought of it!" he cried. "We must run up a signal of distress. If some other ship sees us now they'll never know we're in trouble. We must run up a signal of distress."
