CHAPTER VII.
THE DISASTER.
The next morning’s sun rose clear and bright, and by nine o’clock the town was swarming with pleasure-seekers. The little steamer lay at the landing awaiting its burden of human freight. The boat was already fast filling up with old and young, grave and gay.
A little party, which consisted of Mrs. Horton, Mr. and Mrs. Platts, Guy, Zula and Carrie, entered the boat.
The boat had been under way a short time, when Carrie exclaimed, with a look of alarm: “Oh, Zula, what is the matter?”
Zula looked up and saw that each face around had become serious.
Guy answered the question, though apparently unconcerned.
“The water is coming into the boat.”
One after another arose to their feet.