“I’ll take you out in one of the canoes some day and prove to you that it’s all right,” said Fred warmly. “You—”
He suddenly stopped speaking and looked up. “I thought I felt a drop of rain,” he remarked in surprise.
“You did,” exclaimed Grant. “Just look there. Here comes a squall and we’re in for it all right. This is no joke.”
CHAPTER VI—ADRIFT
“Quick, Fred!” cried Grant. “Bring her up into the wind. You help me let down this sail, Pop.”
An angry gust of wind scudding across the lake, caught the catboat and made her heel far over.
“Let go your sheet, Fred!” shouted Grant. “Quick or we’ll upset.”
He and George sprang forward and feverishly tried to loosen the ropes that held the sail aloft. The wind was increasing in strength now, however, and the boat was becoming more difficult to manage every moment. The sky was inky black and sharp flashes of lightning cut the clouds from end to end. The thunder roared and echoed and reëchoed over the wooded mountains round about. It was now raining hard.