Her counter rose till the watchers could see the green water wash into the cockpit over the starboard rail.
But she righted, and before the rain-curtain shut down again the spectators saw that the boat was headed right for the sheltered point of the island.
"Say, you fellows," Ben objected, "this rain is no fun. I'm going to hustle for the camp."
"Me, too," agreed his cousin, clutching at the waistband of his trousers. "I wish I could find them buttons."
"We'll all go," Horace Pence said. "That boat will show up in the sound in half an hour—or she won't show up at all."
"She won't be swamped? Not as bad as that?" cried Pudge, somewhat worried.
"She'll pull through," said Horace more confidently.
"Of course," agreed Kirby. "I'd like to see that fellow close to," with increasing admiration. "The one sailing her I mean. He's some pilot, all right."
The heavily falling rain now shut out all view of the staggering catboat. How she fared could not be learned from the point where the quartette stood. They returned through the wood, the rain drumming sharply upon the leaves overhead.
CHAPTER IV.