“Come, get everything under cover,” called Jack, thinking first of the danger to the girls and their boat. “Dray can get his awning up quickly enough, but this one has not been opened yet.”
“You boys just tie your canoe tight to us,” Cora said, as the two visitors were about to climb into their frail skiff. “You would be washed out during the storm that’s coming. Here, Bess, hold this,” handing Bess one end of the awning tie. “Belle, can you keep that rope taut?”
It was astonishing how quickly the scene of enjoyment turned to one of alarm. Those of the girls who were active and eager to assist in making things safe, did not suffer so much from fright as did they who took time to watch the clouds. The first severe storm of Summer usually has a more terrifying effect upon the timid ones than those that may follow, and this one certainly was a “star” for a starter.
The lightning soon began to flash intermittently and the thunder to rumble. The clear expanse of horizon afforded such a wide view of the storm that it was small wonder those out in the bay feared for their safety.
“Oh!” wailed Marita, as one flash of lightning seemed to dart directly at the brass rail of Dray’s boat. “I thought I was struck!”
Her words had not been uttered before the clap of thunder followed. This had that queer, deep sound peculiar to the water, and certainly the heart of the storm seemed to hover over the little fleet.
All over the bay sail boats, canoes, motor boats, row boats and every sort of craft were making for shore, but in most of these there were little or no goods that might be damaged by rain or waves, while both the Dixie and the Chelton would have suffered severely had they encountered a down-pour uncovered.
The awnings were up at last, and Jack had started the Chelton. Directly after that the chug of the Dixie was heard.
Then it was all storm! Raging! Roaring! Which way could two small motor boats hope to plough their way in such a fury of wind, rain and lightning?
The waves had assumed the proportions of billows, and every time a boat lifted with the crest, a huge bank of water would break over it.