“All the same, I noticed that you passed up your dish for a second helping of stew,” remarked the other instantly.

“Pure philanthropy, my dear boy, that’s why I did that,” answered Jerry.

“Huh!  How do you make that out?” demanded Bluff.

“Why, you see, I was afraid you’d make yourself sick eating so much, and out of the goodness of my heart I sacrificed my better feelings in order to save you.”

Bluff said nothing, but the grunt he gave was deeply significant of skepticism.

While they were talking, a while later, Jerry suddenly gave utterance to a whoop, and sprang to where one of the lines was fastened.  This he began dragging in, although it seemed to take considerable effort.

“He’s a dandy, all right!  Frank, get Cousin Archie’s gaff hook, and stand ready to yank him aboard when I get him alongside!” he called.

This was finally accomplished, and with considerable splashing a magnificent bronze-backed channel bass, weighing at least twenty pounds, was captured.

The boys were delighted.  Here was a new treat, indeed.  In comparison with the trout and black bass that had, up to now, constituted their only game fish, this was tremendous.  Still, later on, Frank was satisfied that a one-pound black bass, held with a light fly-rod, could give more sport to the square inch than any fish in Florida waters.

There was nothing more doing up to the time they went to bed.  In the morning they found the hook gone from the other line.  Frank said they must have caught a shark, or else another large bass, which, in twisting about, had broken the tackle.  Still, they were not sorry, for they would not have known what to do with more.

“That’s what I call fresh fish,” said Bluff, as he sighed because he could not eat another bite of the tempting dish.

“It does go pretty good,” admitted Jerry, with a wink toward Frank.

Sometimes Frank was of the opinion that the name of “Bluff” had been bestowed on the wrong fellow, for Jerry was inclined to play the part much more than the one who bore the odium that went with the name.

“Now to get under way and move out on the gulf!” exclaimed Will, in some excitement, as the breakfast things were put away and the deck cleared for action.

Frank had taken a careful observation, and announced that there did not seem to be any reason why they should linger there longer.  His chart showed him a refuge some fifteen miles along the coast, to the east, where they could run in should it be deemed necessary.  If the weather kept good they could speed another fifteen miles, and make a second lagoon sheltered behind outlying islands.

These things are easy enough to plan.  It sometimes happens, however, that in attempting to carry them out a hitch occurs which no one has dreamed possible.  Now, it might come in the shape of sudden winds that kick up a tremendous sea; again, there might be a breakdown of the motor, as may happen with any boat, no matter how well built.