“I should say so!” exclaimed the millionaire. “We’ve dragged our anchor in the storm, and we’re adrift!”
Quickly he sprang from his berth and called some orders to the man on watch. In a few moments the Elizabeth was under power, and was moving ahead over the heaving waters of the lake. The mate came down into the cabin.
“Well, what is it?” asked Mr. Potter.
“The captain told me to report to you, sir,” he said, “that our cable had been cut. That’s why we went adrift.”
CHAPTER XXI
IN THE GRIP OF THE STORM
For a moment there was silence in the cabin of the Elizabeth. Larry, Mr. Potter and the mate stood looking at one another, while on the deck above them sounded the rush and run of many feet, and hoarse calls and orders.
“Cut adrift!” exclaimed Mr. Potter. “Is it possible?”
“No doubt about it, sir,” replied the mate. “I saw the cable myself, sir, and it’s as clean cut as if some one had used the cook’s meat cleaver on it.”
“An accident, do you think?”