They made a flying start, and all the boys were thrilled when they found themselves far out from land, and headed along the coast, toward the east.  Later on, of course, their line of travel would be south, as the coast turned and they drew nearer to their destination, Cedar Keys.

Everything seemed to be working nicely, and they had soon put half a dozen miles behind them.  Frank was attending to the motor, while the others lay about on the deck, watching the heavens or the surrounding water.

Not a breath of wind seemed to be blowing, and the sun came down with summer heat, causing coats to be discarded by all hands.

“Hey!  What’s that?  Where’s the blooming shore gone?” suddenly exclaimed Bluff.

Frank raised his head at the cry.

“It’s a fog coming up!” he said uneasily, for that was the one thing he had dreaded most of all while out upon the open waters of the big gulf, and no haven near at hand.

With incredible swiftness the blanket seemed to sweep over the surface of the sea.  In ten minutes they were completely surrounded, and could not discern any object fifty feet away.

“This is awkward, fellows; but perhaps it may not last long.  Meanwhile, we will have to steer by the compass.  All of you listen to hear the wash of the rollers on the beach, if we happen to get in too close,” said Frank, trying to keep calm.

They continued along for half an hour, under reduced speed.  Still the fog remained as dense as ever.  Frank was wondering if they might not pass the first haven without knowing it.  He thought it was very unfortunate that such a thing as this should occur on their very first day out.

“Hello!  What are you stopping for?” demanded Jerry suddenly, as the sound of the bustling little motor ceased and the boat slowed down.

Frank was bending low over the machinery.

“I don’t know, fellows, but something has happened to the motor.  That stop was none of my doing; but I hope it won’t amount to much,” he said cheerfully.

The other three looked at each other uneasily.  With the motor broken down, and surrounded by a treacherous fog, out there on the big gulf, their situation was one well calculated to cause alarm.

CHAPTER XIII

LOST IN THE FOG

“What’s to be done?” asked Will presently.

“I’m looking the motor over, first of all.  Perhaps it’s a small matter, and I can fix it up.  Sometimes these new machines act a bit cranky.  Want of oil will even bring about trouble.  Jerry, you take a look with me.  Two heads are often better than one,” said Frank.

“Can we do anything?” questioned Bluff.

“Just try and see if you can hear a sound like water washing up on the beach.  We couldn’t land with this boat as though it were smaller.”

“That’s a fact.  Say! if we were in our canoes, now, how easy it would be to run up on that same beach, lift the jolly little craft out, and go ashore!  As it is, we must stay afloat, and take the chances of a storm coming up.”