Many things can happen at night and on the sea--strange escapades and hair's-breadth 'scapes--thrills denied to stay-at-homes dwelling in cities, who seldom venture beyond a lighted area.

But there was even a greater probability that the unwieldy catamaran might be caught by the swell and dashed side-long against one of the half-submerged rocks that thrust their black fangs above the water.
Happily, they were spared either alternative.

At the very instant that their lot must be put to the test of chance, Coke's hoarse accents came to their incredulous ears.
"Let her go, Olsen," he was growling.

"We've a clear course now, an' that dam moon will spile everything if we're spotted." In this instance hearing was believing, and Philip was the first to guess what had actually occurred.
"Boat ahoy, skipper!" he sang out in a joyous hail.
Coke stood up.

He glared hard at the reef.
"Did ye 'ear it ?" he cried to De Sylva, who was steering.