Frank had made that discovery some time before, and it was for that reason he had turned about so suddenly and unexpectedly. He hoped to strike the Thimbles, and, as a desperate resort, he could pile the _Jolly Sport_ high and dry on the beach. Frank knew the boat would not hold to continue the desperate attempt to beat across the sound. He was not sure she would hold to reach the islands. But what if they missed the islands entirely? They would be driven out to sea, and the chances were a thousand to one that not one of them would ever live to again place a foot on dry land! CHAPTER IV. IN THE HOUR OF PERIL. It was a terrible risk running blindly for those islands, but it seemed a still more terrible one to attempt to beat across the black sound. The five lads in the boat held their breath, strained their eyes, listened. Around the boat the sea swirled and seethed. It rolled darkly on either hand, and the _Jolly Sport_ cut through the water with a hissing sound. Somehow through the darkness they could see great white bubbles of foam that came up out of the water and winked at them like the eyes of the mighty demons of the deep. Those blinking eyes filled them with awe and horror. They shuddered and turned sick at heart. Their ears listened for the breaking of the surf on the beach of the islands, a sound which they longed, yet dreaded, to hear. But all they could hear was the shriek of the wind, the swish of the sea, and the rushing sound of the boat. “Bail!” The word came like a pistol shot. It woke them to a realization of the peril that was creeping upon them. Water was pouring into the boat from her leaks. It was rising around their feet, and the _Jolly Sport_ was beginning to plunge and flounder distressingly. “Bail!” Again the word shot from Frank Merriwell’s lips. They hastened to obey. They scooped the water up with the bailing dishes, with a sponge, and with their caps; but it came in faster than they could throw it out. “We’re going down!” Rattleton uttered the cry. “Well,” said Browning, in the same old lazy manner, “it does look as if we might have to swim for it pretty soon.” Diamond and Hodge were silent. Their teeth were set, and they were straining their eyes through the darkness, as if they longed to see something that would give them hope. A light flashed out, winked, disappeared. “Lighthouse there!” shouted Rattleton. “Running straight for it!” cried Diamond. “Be on a ledge in a minute!” grunted Browning. Frank shoved over the tiller, and the _Jolly Sport_ went floundering off through the seas, with her course changed somewhat. “Bail, boys--bail!” Frank again commanded. “It is our only hope. If we can keep afloat five minutes longer----” The wind tore the words from his lips, with a mocking shriek. He bent his head and gripped the tiller, while the boat wallowed along bravely, seeming like a wounded creature seeking cover as it grew weaker from loss of blood.