The coffee that stood on the still warm electric stove proved a valuable aid in restoring the stunned Lottie. She had not been struck; her nerves had simply given out, and she had collapsed.
Finally she opened her eyes.
“I’m all right now,” she said faintly, and it was evident the shock had dulled her terror, at least.
“Just lie still,” whispered Cora, encouragingly. “The storm will soon be over.”
“The storm?” Lottie repeated. Then she closed her eyes again, but this time it was only exhaustion, not faintness.
The other girls had been roused to activity by Lottie’s condition. They could now see a rift in the clouds, and one after another hurried to say that the storm was breaking, and it was not so bad; that boats could be seen, and perhaps they would soon sight land.
But those at the wheels of the boats knew how little they could do in the way of steering. Every time the wheel was turned one way the force of the rollers would wash it completely around. In fact they were making absolutely no progress, and might almost as well have allowed the powerless craft to submit to the fury of the waters.
Cora realized this, as did the boys, but the other girls, except perhaps Bess, felt more secure as the sound of the motor indicated motion. The clouds were lifting, but the force of the storm seemed to be coming in from sea, and had little to do with the appearance of the sky.
“Oh, if help would only come!” Cora whispered to Bess. “I’m afraid another and worse storm is gathering!”
“Don’t give up,” replied the girl, her own face gray in the mist and spray that covered the deck even under the awnings.