The Boy Scouts for Uncle Sam. Goldfrap John Henry

all know the smoke column system of signalling?"

      "I see what you mean!" shouted Merritt. "You mean to send up two columns of smoke meaning 'Help! We are lost!'"

      Rob nodded.

      "But how is that possible?" demanded the ensign, with a puzzled inflection in his tones. "We've got a whole ship full of smoke under us, of course, but I don't see how we are going to utilize it in the way you suggest."

      "I've thought it out," declared Rob modestly.

      He produced his heavy-bladed scouting knife.

      "Merritt, you take your knife and we'll cut two holes in the top of the hatch. That will make two smoke columns, and if anyone on that yacht is a Scout, they will come rushing at top speed toward us!"

      "Jove! You boys are resourceful, indeed!" cried the ensign admiringly.

      Without more ado the boys fell to work on their task. They cut the holes about ten feet apart. It was hard work, but they stuck to it perseveringly, and at last, from the two holes, two columns of black smoke spouted up. Luckily for their plans the wind had, by this time, moderated so much as to have fallen almost flat.

      High into the heavens soared the two black columns of smoke like two pillars of inky vapor.