“Let us be glad that we are getting a boat-ride without work,” was Steve’s foolish comment.
But his fellow-voyagers considered the matter in a different light, and tried to back the oars. They could still do so, but only by putting forth all their strength. Their situation was now so critical that they turned pale with dread.
“O dear!” gasped Timor, too frightened to say more.
“Why didn’t we go home by land!” Steve ejaculated.
“Pity we didn’t do that,” Will said. “Before we could row ashore, the swell would be too much for us, wouldn’t it?”
“Of course it would,” George answered.
“And we’re almost too far from shore to swim to it,” Charles asked, rather than said.
“Couldn’t swim there without getting the cramps, Charley,” Will replied, in a hoarse whisper.
“Look to the west!” Jim cried in terror. “Oh, boys! I’ve got ’em! got the chills! dreadful chills! awful chills! O boys! we shall all be drowned! We’ll perish! We’ll be drownded! drownded to death! Oh! what a dreadful storm!”