Part 10 (1/2)
Shortly after finis.h.i.+ng their lunch the boys again gained the deck, to find the mate actively driving the men in their various duties. The wind still came out of the northwest with a stinging snap. Ned declared that he could feel rain approaching.
”Feels to me more like snow!” stated Jimmie, sniffing to windward. ”We'll be getting outside the Friesian Islands soon and then we'll find out what's coming. We're somewhat protected here.”
”How long will it be before we pa.s.s into the North Sea, Captain von Kluck?” asked Ned of the captain, who approached.
”Vhe might make id by morning,” stated the captain. ”I vish I make a swift voyage dis time. If Mackinter gets news to England ahead of me, maybe he makes droubles by das Lena k.n.o.bloch.”
”So you're carrying all the canvas you dare?” asked Harry.
”Chust now, yes! Maybe vhen vhe come about und head up into der vindt vhe get oop der tops'ls und put oop uuder vun chib. I reach off a goot vays und leaf Amsterdam und der vest coast of der Zuider Zee, den I make vun straight reach und run ouid by Eijerlandsche Gut.”
”Then I'm going below to try for a little sleep!” declared Jimmie. ”I'm not needed on deck and this wind is too cold for comfort!”
”I'll go with you and keep you company,” volunteered Jack.
”We'll all go,” added Harry. ”Come on, Ned.”
Clinging to hand rails the lads scrambled below. The deck leaned at an angle that made walking almost impossible. Every plunge sent s.h.i.+vers through the little vessel. Tons of water broke over the bows and dashed along the planks to rush hissing through the scuppers.
In the cabin a lamp swung wildly from a beam overhead, throwing weird, dancing shadows on the bulkheads. Here the noises of the wind were hushed. Only a moaning from the taut rigging reached the ears of the four lads. But the cabin was full of eerie sounds of creaking timbers and straining planks. For some time the boys lay on lockers listening to the confusion of noises. Presently they fell asleep.
They were wakened by the sound of tramping feet on deck, and knew that some maneuver was about to be executed. Coils of rigging were flung on deck. The stentorian voice of the mate bawled out orders.
”Stand by to come about!” roared you Kluck over their heads.
CHAPTER VII
A WARNING FROM THE SEA
Springing from their resting places the four boys staggered up the unsteady companionway. As they gained the deck they were a.s.sailed by terrific gusts of wind carrying sleet and snow. During their stay below the weather had turned colder, bringing fitful dashes of sleet out of the north. The schooner presently rode easier.
A hoa.r.s.e order from forward was followed by a clanking of the cable through the hawse pipes. The sails rattled with great slapping noises as the Lena k.n.o.bloch rode to her anchor.
Men were instantly aloft securing the lighter topsails. With a run the foresail and mainsail were lowered and furled. The staysail and jib had but a moment before been lowered as the schooner was headed into the wind. Under bare poles they rode on gentler swells.
”Where are we?” asked Harry, throwing up an arm to protect his face.
”Have we reached England yet? Where is the captain?”
”Vh.e.l.l, how do you like id now?” roared the voice of von Kluck almost at Harry's elbow. ”Vhat you tink of dis for some shtorm?”
”This is fierce!” replied the lad, bracing himself against the wind.
”Where are we now, Captain von Kluck?”
”Under der lee of one of der Friesian Islands,” replied the captain. ”I see some rocks aheadt und dere is a big shteamer in drouble oop to vindvard. I hope she makes id into safety, bud I don'd know!”
Shaking his head doubtfully the captain went away forward. Presently he returned, still shaking his head. The crew except the captain and the mate were gathered forward round the capstan.