I was the only one on board who knew anything of the Archipelago, and I had to decide the course, which it was possible to vary only a point or two either way, for the yacht would only run free, or, under favorable weather, with a beam wind.

I had to guess our course, which from my knowledge of the islands I saw could only be directly to Milo, about forty miles away.

If we hit the harbor, well and good, for it gives excellent shelter in all weather, but if we missed it we had two chances--to find an opening between the islands and reefs, or to hit a lee shore and go on it, for there was no hope of clawing off.

I set the course, left the boys in charge, and went to bed.

The boat was jumping through the sea with a shock at each wave she struck, as if she had leaped out of the water, and it seemed as if she must be showing her keel with each jump.