So the morning wore merrily on, the young folks stopping only long enough to get their breath between dances. Then came the ever-welcome call to lunch and they tumbled down to the roomy cabin, followed more sedately by their elders, who had enjoyed the morning as much as their offspring, though less riotously. It was a delicious luncheon and, with the added flavor of romantic surroundings and congenial company, was altogether a memorable affair.
When they reached the deck again, they were surprised to find that the sun, which had been shining so brightly before, had gone under a cloud, while the smooth surface of the water was stirred into ripples and eddies by an ever-increasing wind.
“Looks mighty threatening,” said Phil, anxiously. “I hope we don’t have a downpour.”
The others viewed the sudden change with equal trepidation.
“Look at that bank of clouds over there, Lucile,” said Archie, pointing to a gigantic cloud formation, black and threatening, and moving swiftly in their direction. “By the way, I take back all I said about your prophecies this morning; it sure looks as if we were in for it now. Wonder what Mr. Applegate thinks of it.”
What Mr. Applegate thought of it proved to be certain confirmation of their fears. He stood regarding 137 the threatening sky-line with an anxious frown on his forehead. A moment later a sudden gust of wind struck the boat, heeling it so far to one side that they had to grip the rail and each other to keep from falling, while the vivid flash of lightning, followed by a low, ominous roll of thunder, made them draw closer together.
The captain was roused to sudden action. Turning to his guests, he said, “If you folks don’t want to get wet, you had better make your way down below. The storm is due to break any minute now.”
Obediently, but reluctantly, they followed directions, descending into the now almost twilight gloom of the cabin.
“Goodness! Whoever would have thought it would get dark so quickly?” said Anita Derby, fearfully. “If there is one thing I detest it is a thunderstorm.”
“I think it’s kind of exciting,” said Lucile, snuggling into a corner of the great leather-cushioned settee that ran around three sides of the cabin and pushing aside a curtain that obstructed her view. “I’ve always wanted to be on the water in a storm. Oh, look at that flash! Did you ever see anything so vivid?” But her voice was drowned in the great crash of thunder that followed it.