“We’re getting a calm instead of a storm,” said Frank. “And just as we were making such good time, too!”
“It’s the calm before the storm, Newton,” answered Professor Strong. “We’ll get more wind than we want in half an hour.”
CHAPTER XXI
THE SQUALL ON LAKE MARACAIBO
What Professor Strong said proved to be true. In less than half an hour they saw the whitecaps forming on the lake behind them. The wind came and went in fitful gusts, and then of a sudden came a blow that was little short of a hurricane.
“We’re going to catch it now!” shouted Mark. “Just hear how it whistles!”
“Hold fast, all of you!” came from Professor Strong.
“We are holding fast,” answered Darry, who was clinging to the stern sheets with might and main.
The sail had long since been taken in and Salvador stood at his rudder, doing his best to keep the craft up to the wind. But this was no easy task for the wind was veering around rapidly.
“Gracious, it’s down on us for keeps!” shouted Frank, a moment later. “Look at that!”
He bobbed his head forward and looking the other boys made out a low wall of white foam moving on them with incredible swiftness. There was a strange humming in the air and the sky became blacker than ever.