“Waterspout! A waterspout, and a big one, too!”
The attention of everyone on board had been called to the strange and threatening phenomenon by this time, and they all watched it anxiously.
“A waterspout,” murmured Tom. “I’ve often heard about them, but I never saw one before. What will it do?”
“Break when the whirlwind that caused it dies out,” was the answer, “but——” The captain suddenly ceased speaking. Then he cried:
“It’s headed right this way! The waterspout is coming toward us!”
[CHAPTER VI]
SEEN IN THE GLASS
Instantly there was a commotion all through the Silver Star. The captain’s alarming words had frightened the sailors as well as the passengers. As for Tom, he stood in fascinated wonder on the bridge, watching the approaching waterspout.
And that it was approaching, and rapidly too, could not be doubted. It was sweeping onward with a whirling motion, straight for the ship, and there was a low, moaning and humming sound to the wind that had created it, which did not add to the pleasure of the spectacle.