Paddling under Palmettos — page 176: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Paddling Under Palmettos. 169 ment, but he did not show any sign of it either in looks or actions. Systematicaly he prepared the Sea Watf for her first run outside. They would have more of it if they concluded to go on to Biscayne Bay so as to ascend the Miami River. It was just as well to prepare for emergencies. “All ready?” cried Ned. “Ay, ay!” called the others. “Then up anchors and away.” It had been arranged that they were to go two abreast, for several reasons, the principal of which was the fact that they might be able to be of as- sistance to each other in case of accident. Archie and Dick brought up the rear. The Sea Waif having had her rig completely al- tered by the old lake captain, now worked beauti- fully, and her skipper had been charmed by the way she made up into the eye of the wind. He could lay his course nearer the wind than any of his companions, and hence the remark of the cap- tain to the effect that properly rigged the boat would outpoint any of their craft, was realized. Just now, however, this did not matter one iota. Her weatherly qualities were what would save her Gomichboo <=) (e(o) mn