"I guess we had better head up into the wind. It's the safest thing to do," cried Jack. And then, raising his voice to be heard above the whistling of the elements, he added: "Head up! Don't take those waves sideways! Head up!"
The others understood, and in a minute more both of the boats were heading directly into the wind. This prevented either of the craft from swamping, but caused the spray to hit the bow more than once, sending a shower of water over everybody.
"Oh, dear! I'm getting wet!" wailed May.
"Do you think you can reach shore?" questioned Ruth of Jack; and her wide-open eyes showed her terror.
"We can't head for the school just now," he answered. "We'll have to keep pulling up against the wind until it lets up a little."
"Oh, but we sha'n't upset, shall we?" came from Spouter Powell's cousin.
"I don't think so. Anyway, we are going to do our best to prevent it," answered Fred.
Keeping as close together as they dared, the two rowboats continued to head up into the wind, which still blew as hard as ever. In the sky the clouds were shifting, and Jack and his cousins had great hopes that ere long the sudden squall would blow itself out.
"Here comes a motor boat up behind us!" cried Ruth, presently.
All looked in that direction and saw a fair-sized craft coming up the lake. She was making good speed in spite of the whitecaps, and was sending the spray flying in all directions.