“The barometer? What is the matter with it?”
“Py gollys, I dink der bottom drop oudt off idt. You may have vurk aheadt of you to-night.”
“You mean that we are in for a big storm?”
“I sure do dot same. Undt ven it comes idt be a lollerpaloozitz. Take my vurd for dat. Hark!”
The old quartermaster held up a finger.
Far above him in the aërials could be heard a sound like the moaning bass string of a violin as the wind swept among the copper wires.
“Dot’s der langwitch of Davy Chones,” declared Schultz. “Idt says, ‘Look oudt. Someding didding.’ I’fe heardt idt pefore, undt I know.”
The old man hurried off on his way forward, and Jack emitted a long whistle.
“My, won’t there be a lot of seasick passengers aboard to-night! The company will save money on breakfast to-morrow.”
Just then Sam came back from dinner and Jack was free to go below to his meal. He was about to relinquish the instruments when there came a sudden call.