Part 5 (1/2)

”It woke me with a start,” said Tommy. ”My heart is thumping like anything. Is there any danger?”

”Not with Uncle on board,” said Mary from the bunk below. ”Let's go to sleep again.”

They lay down, but to sleep was impossible. Every moment the movements of the vessel became more violent, and they heard great booming noises as the waves broke over the deck. The roar and shriek of the wind was mingled with the creaking of blocks and the shouts of men.

”I can't stand it any longer,” said Tommy suddenly. ”I'm going up to see. Come along, girls.” She sprang out of her bunk and had to clutch the side to prevent herself from being thrown down. The other girls followed her, and she laughed as they staggered and clasped each other.

”What fun!” she said. ”We haven't had a real storm before. See who'll be dressed first. You two needn't do up your hair.”

Dressing was a difficult matter; but, helping one another, they managed to get their things on at last and, holding hands, staggered out of the cabin to the companionway between it and the saloon. Tommy was the first to climb the ladder, but when she came to the top she gave a cry of dismay.

”The hatch is on!” she called. ”Uncle has battened us down, mean old thing!”

She beat on the hatch with her fist, and called shrilly for her uncle; but the sounds were smothered by the greater noises above, and by and by she desisted, and tottered disconsolately down the steps. ”Let's go into the saloon,” she said. ”There's more room there than in the cabin. You don't think there's any danger?” she added, as the light of the swinging lamp fell on Elizabeth's pale face.

”I don't know; I hope not,” replied Elizabeth.

”It's a shame to batten us down,” said Tommy indignantly. ”I'd rather be on deck and know the worst.”

The three girls went into the saloon, and sat huddled together on a sofa, which was fixed firmly to the wall. They found that only by keeping a tight grip on the sofa, and each other, could they save themselves from being dashed across the room. Moment by moment the storm increased in fury. Now and again there was a tremendous shock, under which the _Elizabeth_ quivered in every plank, and sometimes a sharp report as of woodwork wrenched away.

The girls were now thoroughly scared. Pressed close together they s.h.i.+vered as they heard these ominous noises. None of them spoke, but Tommy gave a little gasp whenever a more than usually heavy sea struck the vessel, and Mary gulped down a lump that would keep rising in her throat.

Hours pa.s.sed. Presently the movements of the vessel became less violent, and at last Tommy gave a cry of delight as she heard the battens being struck away from the hatch, and her uncle's voice as he descended the ladder.

”Ah! There you are, my dears,” he said cheerily, as he entered the saloon. ”I guessed these little tantrums would have wakened you.”

”Is the storm over, Uncle?” asked Elizabeth.

”Pretty near. He's giving a last kick or two. We're very tired and hungry on deck, and you girls can make us some coffee; I know you'd like to make yourselves useful. Cook can't be spared at this minute or I wouldn't ask you.”

”Of course we will,” said Tommy, springing up.

”Is there much damage done, Uncle?” asked Mary.

”Damage! Why, bless you, you can't fight without getting a bruise or two, even if you win. The craft's had a bit of knocking about, I won't deny, but what could you expect? Now make the coffee, there's good la.s.sies, and knock at the hatch when it's ready.”

”You are not going to batten us down again?” cried Tommy.

”Well, you see, we don't want everything slopped about below, do we?

The coffee wouldn't be worth drinking if a sea washed into it just as you were bringing it up. Make it strong, mind, and plenty of sugar.”

Captain Barton left them. He had not thought it necessary to say that the cook, who couldn't be spared to make the coffee, was working hard at the pumps. Nor that the vessel had lost its foremast, which in its fall had carried away the boats on the leeward side. While the s.h.i.+p was staggering under this blow a heavy sea had struck her and stove in the boats on the weather side. Nor did the Captain mention that the storm had driven him many leagues out of his course, and that he was desperately anxious lest he should have come within the region of the coral reefs. Until daybreak he had no means of ascertaining his whereabouts, and he concealed from his nieces the anxiety with which he awaited the dawn.

He had paid his brief visit below merely to rea.s.sure the girls. They at once set about making the coffee--no easy task, for though the wind had abated there was still a heavy sea. At last it was ready, and Tommy mounted the companion-way, carrying a canful. It was some time before her hammering on the hatch attracted attention, and when it was lifted the can was taken from her by her uncle, who said ”Thank'ee, my la.s.s. Now go down again and have some breakfast; it will be light in an hour or two.”

”Can't we come up, Uncle?”

”Not yet, my dear; we must tidy up first, you know.”