were
hushed. Only a moaning from the taut rigging reached the ears of the four
lads. But the cabin was full of eerie sounds of creaking timbers and
straining planks. For some time the boys lay on lockers listening to the
confusion of noises. Presently they fell asleep.

They were wakened by the sound of tramping feet on deck, and knew that
some maneuver was about to be executed. Coils of rigging were flung on
deck. The stentorian voice of the mate bawled out orders.

"Stand by to come about!" roared you Kluck over their heads.

CHAPTER VII

A WARNING FROM THE SEA

Springing from their resting places the four boys staggered up the
unsteady companionway. As they gained the deck they were assailed by
terrific gusts of wind carrying sleet and snow. During their stay below
the weather had turned colder, bringing fitful dashes of sleet out of the
north. The schooner presently rode easier.

A hoarse order from forward was followed by a clanking of the cable
through the hawse pipes. The sails rattled with great slapping noises as
the Lena Knobloch rode to her anchor.

Men were instantly aloft securing the lighter topsails. With a run the
foresail and mainsail were lowered and furled. The staysail and jib had
but a moment before been lowered as the schooner was headed into the
wind. Under bare poles they rode on gentler swells.

"Where are we?" asked Harry, throwing up an arm to protect his face.
"Have we reached England yet? Where is the captain?"

"Vhell, how do you like id now?" roared the voice of von Kluck almost at
Harry's elbow. "Vhat you tink of dis for some shtorm?"

"This is fierce!" replied the lad, bracing himself against the wind.
"Where are we now, Captain von Kluck?"

"Under der lee of one of der Friesian Islands," replied the captain. "I
see some rocks aheadt und dere is a big shteamer in drouble oop to
vindvard. I hope she makes id into safety, bud I don'd know!"

Shaking his head doubtfully the captain went away forward. Presently he
returned, still shaking his head. The crew except the captain and the
mate were gathered forward round the capstan.

"Dere's rocks dere--lots of dem!" announced von Kluck. "Dot wessel looks
like she's lost her rutter, und if she gets off dem rocks dot captain
needs a medal. I tink he's a goner, sure!"

It did, indeed, appear as if von Kluck was right. A big cargo steamer,
now dimly discernible to the boys, was rolling in the trough of a heavy
sea, urged on