he skipper studied the horizon to
the northeast. That he was not pleased with his observation Harriet
was confident. Again he took a long look at the barometer, glanced at
the compass to see that she was on her course, then, thrusting his
hands into his pockets, studied the rigging overhead.

"We aren't making much headway, are we?" questioned Miss Elting.

"None at all," was the, to her, surprising reply; "we're in a dead
calm now."

The waves had taken on an oily appearance and there were no longer
white crests on the rollers. The "Sister Sue" rolled and plunged in a
sickening way, the boom swinging from side to side. All hands were in
the cockpit or cabin, however, so that there was no danger of their
being hit by the swinging boom. In the cabin was heard a series of
groans more agonized than before. The guardian had recovered in a
measure, though they observed that she was very pale. The fresh air
outside revived her somewhat.

"I wish you to tell me frankly if there is any danger?" she demanded.

"Not yet," was the skipper's evasive answer.

"Meaning that there may be later?"

"We may be late getting home," he replied. "I can't say any more than
that now. Ugh!"

Harriet Burrell saw him gazing off to the northeast. She followed the
direction of his glance, and saw a purplish haze hanging heavily on
the horizon. As she gazed the purple haze seemed to grow darker and to
increase in size. The sight disturbed her, though she did not know
why. The sea now made little noise. A flock of seagulls could be
plainly heard honking high overhead, and a chattering flock of stormy
petrels soared down, coming to rest on the water in the wake of the
sloop.

"I'll take in the jibs. Mind your wheel. We are in for a blow,"
announced the skipper.

CHAPTER XXII

IN THE GRIP OF MIGHTY SEAS

The captain quickly furled the jibs, then took a reef in the mainsail.
Consulting the skies again, he decided to leave one of the jibs up, so
set it once more and took another reef in the mainsail, thus
shortening the latter considerably.

The "Sister Sue" was now making no headway at all, but was rolling
dizzily from wave to wave, now and then a swell striking the side of
the little boat and tumbling torrents of green water over into the
cockpit. The girls were set to work bailing. They already were soaked
to the skin, though, instead of being disturbed, they were laughing
joyously, thinking it great fun. Their attention was