The others gathered on the port side to gaze across the water at the crowded beach and the colourful maze of buildings.  “It looks jolly, doesn’t it?” asked Han.  “Couldn’t we run in closer, Steve?”

“We could, but it would take us out of our course.  I’m heading for Rockaway Point over there.  We’ve got a good ways to go yet before we reach Fire Island.”  Steve had the chart opened before him and he laid a finger on the point mentioned.

“Looks like it would be more fun to duck in there,” said Neil, vaguely indicating the neighbourhood of Hempstead Bay.

“Maybe it would,” answered the Captain, “but there are too many islands and things to suit me.  I’d rather stay outside here and slip in through Fire Island Inlet.  After I get used to running this hooker I’ll take her anywhere there’s a heavy dew, but right now I’m all for the open sea, Neil.”

Phil and Han, who had never before gazed on the marvels of Coney Island, even from a distance, were listening to Joe’s tales of the delights of that entrancing resort and following his finger as he pointed out the features he recognised.  “There’s the coaster where I bounced up and came down on a nail,” he chuckled.  “It was a fine, able-bodied nail, too, and I—­um—­had to stay on it all the rest of the trip because the car was so crowded there wasn’t room to shift.”

“Smell the peanuts, fellows,” murmured Perry dreamily.  “Gee, I wish I had some!”

Ossie appeared on deck ten minutes later and was very indignant because he had not been informed that they were passing Coney.  “I think some of you lobsters might have sung out,” he mourned.  “I’ve never seen Coney Island.”

“Well, have a look,” laughed Han.  “That’s it back there.”

“Huh!  Can’t see anything at this distance,” growled Ossie.  “It’s just a smear of buildings.  What’s the place ahead there!”

“Rockaway,” answered Joe, “and that’s Jamaica Bay in there.  Say, there’s some sea on, isn’t there?”

In fact the Adventurer was now doing a good deal of plunging as she made her way through the long swells that swept around the sandy point.  And she wasn’t satisfied with merely kicking her head and heels up, either, for with the forward and aft motion there was considerable rocking, and as the point came abreast a shower of spray deluged the forward deck and spattered in on the bridge.  At Steve’s direction the windows were closed, Han performing the task with many “Ay, ay, sirs!” Joe looked anxious and presently sought the forward cabin, reappearing a minute later to ask all and sundry if they knew where he had put his supply of “anti-seasick stuff.”  No one could tell him and he again took himself off, and before he could locate the medicine the Adventurer had passed the inlet and had settled down on an even keel again.  Han and Ossie spread themselves out on the forward cabin roof and the others made themselves comfortable on the seats of the bridge deck, Phil pointing out seriously and with evident satisfaction that the cushions were not only cushions but life-preservers as well.  Perry was for borrowing Phil’s fountain-pen and putting his name on one.