"And, if we keep on, the chances are two to one that we'll run onto a reef or pile up on an island. I had much rather take the chances of anchoring here and being run down. The wind is dying out, and this fog is shutting down thicker and thicker." "Well," said Jack, in a dissatisfied way, "this is your boat and you are in command. You can do as you like." "I'll do as the majority believes best." "Then anchor," grunted Browning. "I don't fancy this prowling about in the fog." Hodge was in favor of anchoring, and Hans agreed with them, so Jack was the only one who felt like going on. He gave up in disgust. While they were talking the last faint breeze had fallen swiftly, and, by the time it was definitely decided, the _White Wings_ lay becalmed, rolling helplessly on the swells that came in from the open sea. "Shimminy Gristmas!" groaned Hans. "I don't like dot roll up und drop avay motions. Id makes me feel sick to your stomach." "You will get enough of that as long as we remain anchored out here," said Diamond, unpleasantly. Frank gave the orders, and down came the sails. A sounding showed they could anchor without trouble, and then the anchor was cast. The sails were not reefed, for it was not known when they might be required. Arrangements were made for raising them on short notice. Night came down swiftly. Lights were set, but the boys felt that a light was poor protection for them in that darkness and fog. "If we are in the course of the steamers we'll be run down," grumbled Jack. "There'll have to be a regular watch to-night," declared Frank; "and the fog horn must be used." Browning had managed to crawl on deck, and he looked disconsolate and disgusted. "This is what they call a life on the ocean wave," he grunted. "Oh, it is more fun than a minstrel show!" "We'll have to put up with some discomforts," said Merriwell. "We made a mistake in coming further east than Portland," put in Jack. "That was a good place to stop." "Wait till the sun comes out to-morrow and we run into Rockland Harbor," laughed the owner of the _White Wings_. "You will change your tune." "Well, I hope so." Hans was given the first watch, and he remained on deck while the others went below and had supper. At intervals he blew a blast on the horn, which sounded like some lost animal bellowing in the fog. Frank laughed and joked, and he succeeded in putting the others in better spirits after a time. It was comfortable in the cabin, despite the fog outside. Hodge made coffee, and the smell of it as it bubbled over the blaze of the oil stove gave all of them a ravenous feeling of hunger. The little folding table was let down and spread, and the sight of the food and smell of the coffee took their minds off the unpleasantness of their situation. "It was a foolhardy thing running down here without somebody who knew the coast," said Jack.