The storm continued to approach, and now several of the sailors looked anxiously at the first mate. He was evidently in a savage mood, and paid no attention to them.
"Unless he does sumthin' soon, we'll lose a stick, sure," said Billy Dill to Dave, in a low tone. "I never saw sech a contrary mate in my life!"
"Perhaps I had better speak to Captain Marshall," suggested the country youth.
"I wish ye would—it would be safer. But don't let Shepley know it—or he'll be as mad as a hornet at ye," added the old tar.
Leaving the bow, Dave hurried to the stern and toward the companionway. Here he almost ran headlong into the first mate.
"Hi! look where you are going!" ejaculated the man, roughly. "Have you no manners?"
"Excuse me," returned Dave. "Don't you think we are having a pretty big blow, sir?" he added.
"Oh, this won't amount to much," grumbled Paul Shepley. "Nothing to get scared about."
Dave said nothing to this. He hurried below, and a moment later stood in front of Captain Marshall's stateroom door. The master of the Stormy Petrel was taking a nap, but at the boy's knock roused up instantly.