One day, however, the active and busy little Frank Trelawney discovered, from the crow's-nest--a barrel high up on the main truck--a cloud no bigger than a man's hand, away down on the southern horizon.
It slowly increased, and before many hours was a huge and rolling mass of cumulus.
Other clouds also were rolling up, and it was evident they were bringing the wind with them.
About the same time the temperature rose, but the glass fell considerably, so that the skipper and Morgan shook their heads ominously.
"We're going to have a big blow, sir," said the latter.
"That is so, mate, and we are not in a very enviable situation."
"Listen, sir!"
The mate held up his finger.
There was a succession of loud reports almost alongside, and the screeching and caterwauling sounds that followed, showed that the ship was being nipped.
"We're in for it, mate; but she has a nicely-rounded bottom, and will rise twenty feet rather than be staved in.