“That’s it,” he said quietly. “The tank’s as dry as punk.” “But I thought we had something like ninety gallons aboard,” said Bob. “So did I. Either there’s a big leak in the tank or else they only gave us about ten gallons at the wharf. I wasn’t looking. Did anyone notice how much gasoline was put in?” “Why, it couldn’t have been much,” answered Dan. “The young fellow that was doing it was only at it three or four minutes.” “That’s it, then,” said Nelson. “It couldn’t be a leak. If it was, we’d smell it easily. Well, we can’t run the engine without gasoline. I ought to have seen to the filling of the tank, I suppose; but you’d think they could be trusted to do that, wouldn’t you? They’ll hear about it, all right!” “Wh-wh-what are we gu-going to do?” asked Tom. “Well, there are three things we can do,” was the answer. “We can get into the tender and tow the launch, for one thing. But we’re a good ten or eleven miles from the harbor, and that’s an all-night job. Or we can let her drift as long as she keeps near the shore. Or we can drop her anchor and ride here until morning.” “Let’s do that,” said Dan. “It—it’s perfectly safe, isn’t it?” “Yes, safe as you like while this sort of weather lasts. Only I don’t know for certain whether we’ve got cable enough to the anchor. It depends on how much water there is here.” “Well, we can soon find out,” said Bob cheerfully. “Come on and let’s get it over.” There was an anxious moment or two following the splash of the anchor, and while the cable paid out into the dark water. “How’s she coming?” asked Nelson. “Plenty left yet,” answered Dan. “All right!” called Nelson. “Make her fast. It isn’t nearly as deep as I feared it would be.” The _Vagabond_ swung her nose seaward and tugged at the cable, but the anchor held fast. Nelson and Bob examined the lanterns carefully, took in the flags, which had been forgotten, and came back to the cockpit. Barry, who seemed to scent trouble, followed Dan’s heels at every step. “If the weather stays like this,” observed Dan, “we’ll do pretty well.” “Yes, and I don’t see any sign of a change,” answered Nelson. “Barometer’s behaving well and the wind’s clean from the west. All we’ve got to do now is to have our dinner, turn in, and sleep until morning. But we’ve got to keep watch on deck. I’ll take it for two hours and then you fellows can take it for two each. That’ll bring us to daylight. Then we’ll have to find some one to give us a tow. How about dinner, Tommy?” “I’m afraid it’s all cooked away,” said Tommy sadly.