4 Boats ahoy!

Chapter Four BOATS AHOY! The sonar screen showed more dots than Connor and Roshni could count. Every single one was a boat—and they were heading right into the whales' path. "So many boats! Is it a race or something?" Roshni asked, looking worried. "It's just regular marine traffic," said Connor. "People going out fishing and

having fun. And not one of them knows a pod of whales is about to swim right under their hulls!" "We've got to warn them," Roshni said. "I'll try to contact one of the boats on the radio." She flicked a switch on the Beagle's communications equipment. But the Beagle switched it back off again, with a warning BUZZ. "Looks like the Beagle isn't happy about that," Connor said. "Wonder why?" Roshni snapped her fingers. "Of course. We're the Secret Explorers—and we're supposed to stay secret! If we call those boats on our radio, they'll want to know who we are and what we're doing here." "Maybe there's another way." Connor thought hard. "Beagle, can you zoom in on that yacht over there?"

The yacht was floating not far from where the Beagle bobbed on the surface. A close- up appeared on the screen, showing white sails and a sleek hull. The name Enchantress was written down the yacht's side. On the deck was a boy about their age. He was wearing swim trunks and watching something intently. Had he spotted the Beagle? No—he was looking at a school of flying fish! They came leaping out of the water in glittering arcs. Their bodies flashed silver in the warm evening sunlight.

Connor was glad to see someone else who was interested in the ocean. "Maybe that boy can help," he said. Connor submerged the Beagle just below the water. He and Roshni took the wet suits out of the storage cupboard and put them on, along with masks, oxygen tanks, and flippers. Then he opened up a hatch in the floor, revealing water beneath. Connor climbed down first, lowering himself into the ocean. Roshni followed behind him. They swam away from the Beagle toward the pale hull of the Enchantress.

Connor surfaced right alongside the yacht. The boy was still watching the ocean, and he gave a surprised yelp as Connor and then Roshni appeared. Connor waved up to him. "Hey! Mind if we come aboard?" The boy gave them a wide grin. "Yeah, no worries!" Roshni reached up and the boy helped her climb onto the deck, then did the same for Connor.

"I'm Jack," he said. "I've come out with my parents to do a bit of whale watching. But there are no whales so far today." "Whales are exactly why we're here!" Connor said. "There's a pod of humpback whales swimming this way, but all these fast boats could be dangerous for them." "No way!" Jack exclaimed. Connor said, "There's still time to save them. We just need to clear all these boats out of their path. Can you signal to them to move?" "You just watch me, mate," Jack said excitedly. "I'll get my parents to call the coastguard. When you hear the horn, it means we're on the move!" He ran over to the cabin door and shouted, "Mom? Dad? It's an emergency!"