Part 16 (1/2)
”No!” replied Freda, cheerfully. ”It isn't so bad out there. But we knew what it was on this bar, and could tell by the wind just about where you were drifting. If Jack will let me take the wheel I will follow Denny's orders and ride into it. Then we can go around the island--and see a blue sky!”
”Blue sky!” came the exclamation from the girls in unison.
”Certainly. But I must have the wheel, Jack.”
Having satisfied them that she could run the boat, Freda changed places with Jack, while Cora let her brother take up her watch beside Kent. Then Cora went to the steering wheel with Freda.
”Don't be afraid,” the latter said. ”I have ridden out worse storms than this with Denny. They have a way of turning things upside down, but you are all right as long as you can keep well on top.”
She was driving directly into the smother. The girls shut their eyes, and it must be admitted that more than one put their fingers in their ears, for indeed the roar was deafening.
”There are Denny and the man getting into the _Dixie_!” breathed Cora.
”Oh, I am so glad, for it must have been dreadful to row that boat.”
”It _was_ no joke, but Denny likes hard work,” Freda answered. ”Now here is where we ride it out!”
Every bit of power was turned on and with one well directed plunge the _Chelton_ was shot through what seemed to be a ”comber” as if she had been a submarine.
”Oh!” gasped Cora. Freda dropped into the ”V” s.p.a.ce at the base of the wheel. Still, she did not take her hands from the spokes. It was a serious moment. What if the boat could not ride those waves? The time it took to get out of the harder waves could not be estimated by the hands of a clock or watch; but in gasping breaths, thumping hearts, pale faces and fears--for boys as well as for girls--it must have been a long, long time.
Finally Freda stood up.
”There!” she exclaimed. ”What did I tell you?”
”Sky!” they all shouted, clapping their hands like children.
”And--it--took a girl--to--do it!” exclaimed Jack, who would not have been blamed for hugging Freda had the opportunity offered. Instead, however, he made his way back to the wheel and allowed Freda and Cora a chance to look at their blistered hands, for both girls had been tugging at the spokes.
”Who would believe a storm would end like that?” said Belle, with the relief that comes so quickly upon intense strain.
”We have got to keep in out of the rain for a while,” Cora cautioned.
”There are enough water-loaded clouds over there yet to dampen our enthusiasm.”
This proved to be true, for torrents of rain followed in the wake of the vanis.h.i.+ng thunder clouds.
But the wind had ceased, and the waves soon quieted. With more than a sigh of relief the _Chelton_ girls and boys fell into the course made now by the _Dixie_, for in that boat Denny Shane was at the wheel.
CHAPTER XII
THE CALM
A more delightful scene than Crystal Bay presented, two hours after the squall, could scarcely be imagined. To the motor girls it was particularly effective, as may easily be imagined. Coming back around the island the _Dixie_ picked up the lost canoe, so this left nothing to be worried over in the record of adventure.
”How do you feel, Lottie?” Cora asked, when all had landed safely and stood looking over the waters that could be so deceptive.
”Oh, I am all right, really,” answered Lottie, a little ashamed that she should have allowed herself to give way.
”But be careful,” cautioned Cora. ”Take it easy for the rest of the day, at least. It doesn't do to try too much.”