"It was as mean as dirt for them to leave us out here when they could have towed us in with ease," panted Fred. "Just you wait—I'll let the whole school know of this!"
"Don't talk! Save your wind. We can talk afterwards," returned his cousin.
The next quarter of an hour was one which none of the girls or boys ever forgot. The Rovers continued to battle with the wind and the waves with all the energy left to them, while the girls crouched down on the seats almost speechless with fear. Occasionally, the waves would hit the bow of one rowboat or the other, sending a shower of water over the occupants.
"I—think—it's—letting up—a—bit," panted Jack, presently, and glanced up at the sky.
"Oh, if only it would!" breathed Ruth.
The boat containing the others had dropped slightly behind, but now Jack and Fred held back until it was once more alongside.
"Oh, did you ever see such a storm!" wailed Alice.
"I don't think I'll ever want to go out in a rowboat again," was Annie's bitter comment.
"I think the wind is beginning to die down," said Ruth, encouragingly.
"Let—us—hope—so," came in jerks from Jack. He was still rowing, but his arms felt as if they were being torn from their sockets.