“Any orders, captain?” asked Chase, who did not like the idea of being left in charge of the deck even for a minute.
“Follow in the wake of the smuggling vessel,” replied Walter. “That’s all.”
If the sight that greeted Walter’s eyes as he went below would have been a pleasing one to a hungry boy under ordinary circumstances, it was doubly so to one who had stood for hours in wet clothing, exposed to the full fury of a cutting north-west wind. The cabin was warm and comfortable, the dishes clean and white, the viands smoking hot, and Walter, Perk and Eugene did ample justice to them. When the meal was finished, the two brothers lent a hand in clearing away the table and washing the dishes; and after the galley stove had been replenished, they, in company with Perk, stretched themselves out on the lee-locker and went to sleep. It seemed to the young captain that he had scarcely closed his eyes when he was aroused by a voice. He started up and saw Bab, whose clothes were dripping with water, lighting the lamps in the cabin. “Why, it isn’t dark, is it?” asked Walter.
“It is growing dark. You’ve had a glorious sleep, but you had better roll out now and see to things, for poor Chase is in a peck of trouble. It’s come.”
“What has?”
“Can’t you hear it and feel it? Rain and sleet, and wind, and such an ugly, chopping sea. It is coming harder every minute.”
That was very evident. The howling of the storm could be plainly heard in the cabin, and the pitching and straining of the yacht as she labored through the waves, told Walter that it was indeed high time he was taking matters into his own hands. Hastily arousing his sleeping companions, he went into the galley for some of his clothing, which he had left there to dry, and in a few minutes, equipped in pea-jacket, gloves, muffler and heavy boots, went up to face the storm. It was already dark, and the rain, freezing as it fell, was coming down in torrents.
“Where’s the schooner?” asked Walter.
“I lost sight of her just after I sent Bab down to call you,” replied Chase. “My only fear is that we shall not be able to find her again.”