the engine going, and the boat headed for the shore. He speeded the
motor up to as high a pitch as was safe, in unfamiliar waters, and
soon the town of San Felicity came into view.

"Get near the shore," advised Ned, "then, if the fog shuts down on us
again, we'll know where we are."

Jerry decided this was good advice, and steered the Ripper straight
in, intending to run up along the coast to San Felicity. It was well
that he did so, for the lifting of the fog was only temporary. When
they were about a quarter of a mile from the shore the white mist
closed in again, worse than before. But Jerry had his sense of
direction now, and decided it would be safe to continue on at half
speed, as there did not appear to be any other craft in sight, when he
took a rapid survey of the bay just as the fog settled down.

Peering through the almost impenetrable white mass of vapor ahead of
him, Jerry sent the Ripper slowly on her way.

"You'll have to be careful," cautioned Rose. "The tide is running out,
and there's not much water along here at the ebb. I hope we don't go
aground."

"So do I," answered Jerry.

Just then there was a shock, and the boat quivered, hesitated for an
instant, and then resumed her course.

"We struck bottom that time," said Ned. "Luckily it seemed to be mud."