nxious look was on the faces of all the
men.

CHAPTER V

A TROPICAL STORM

"What's all this?" exclaimed Grant, startled by the sudden change that
had come over the boat.

The four boys looked about them in surprise, unable to account for the
transformation. Petersen was forgotten; jewels and treasure were
forgotten; even the strange code was forgotten and Grant absent-mindedly
thrust it into his trouser's pocket.

"What is it, do you suppose?" he exclaimed again.

"Look over there and you'll see," said Fred.

He pointed to the westward and as his three friends gazed in the
direction he had indicated they soon saw the cause of all the commotion.
Far off on the western horizon appeared a cloud. That in itself was no
special reason for alarm, but it was a very peculiar looking cloud. It
was grayish-black in color and shaped like a funnel. Long ragged strips
had separated themselves from the main body and hung like long wisps
from the sky.

"Do you think it's a tornado?" exclaimed John, in a low voice.

"I don't know, String," said Pop. "It looks bad though, doesn't it?"

"It does to me all right," said Fred grimly. "The captain must think it
is pretty serious too from all the preparations that are being made."

"They're taking in some of the sails," remarked Grant.

"I'm glad of that," exclaimed Fred. "When that storm hits us I don't
want any more canvas spread than is necessary."

"Perhaps it won't hit us," said George hopefully.

"You're an optimist, Pop, I'm afraid," said Fred. "I think it'll hit us
all right."

"The breeze is going down," said John suddenly.

"It surely is," agreed Grant. "The lull before the storm."

"Look at that cloud now," exclaimed Fred. "It's spreading all over the
sky and see how fast it is going. It'll be dark in a few minutes."

"Why don't they take the rest of the sails in?" demanded John nervously.
"I must say I don't like this."

"They've taken in the topsails and the mizzen," said Grant. "That's a
big part."

A lull had now come over the crew and the four young friends were
unconsciously affected by it. Now there was not a breath of air
stirring; the sails hung heavy and motionless from the yards. Blacker
and blacker grew the sky; the stillness all about became appalling. No
one spoke a word, but every one stood around as though waiting for
something serious to happen. The crew was gathered about the forward
hatchway silently watching the approach of the s