Strona 200 z 416

While not a Bijonah Tanner, Code bade fair to be his equal at

Bijonah's age. He came of a father with an instinct for fish, and

he had inherited that instinct fully. Under Jasper he had learned

much, but it was another matter to have some one on hand to read

the signs rather than being cast upon his own resources.

The fish, from the trawl-line and Pete's reports of dory work,

had been running rather big. This pleased him, but he knew it

could not last; and he sat with his old chart spread out before

him on the deck--a chart edged with his father's valuable

penciled notes.

Suddenly, while in the almost subconscious state that he achieved

when very "fishy," the persistent voice of the cook broke through

the wall of unconsciousness.

"Smoke on the port quarter, skipper! Smoke on the port quarter,

skipper!"

The phrase came with persistent repetition until Code was fully

alive to its meaning and glanced over his left shoulder.