Had it not been for their
forethought in making everything secure earlier in the night, the boat
might have been damaged.
"What's the matter, boys?" asked Mr. De Vere, looking out from his
small stateroom. "Oh, it's the storm. Arrived strictly on time, I
guess, and it's a hummer too! How's the engine working?"
"Fine," declared Ned, who had just left the motor cockpit. "Runs like
a charm, and hasn't missed an explosion since I took charge."
"That's good," commented Mr. De Vere. "We'll need all the power we can
get, to keep her head on to the waves, if this gets any worse."
As he spoke there was a thundering crash on the deck above them, and a
rush of water told that a big comber had come aboard, nearly burying
the small craft in a swirl of green water.
"Are the hatches closed," asked Mr. De Vere anxiously, "and the
sliding doors fastened?"
"Yes," replied Ned. "I saw to that when I noticed the wind was getting
worse, and the waves higher."
The boat was fitted with a cabin over the full length, but amidships,
where the motor was, were sliding partitions that could be taken down,
thus making that part of the craft open. Ned had put these slides in
place, securely fastening them, and closing the top hatches. The
derelict hunters were thus completely shut up in the Ripper, and could
manage the engine, and run the boat without exposing themselves. Only
for this the big wave might have swamped them.
Maurice De Vere quickly dressed and, with the boys went to the engine
compartment.
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