ould believe Guy's prophecies would come true, but in a
few moments the cool breeze was distinctly felt, the sun went under a
cloud, and the boat began to move. It was a sudden squall, and the clouds
thickened and massed themselves into great hills of blackness; the water
turned dark and began to rise in little threatening billows, the wind
grew stronger and stronger, and then without warning the rain came.
Thunder and lightning added to the excitement of the occasion, and in
less than fifteen minutes the smooth sunny glare of water was at the
mercy of a fearful storm.

The occupants of the boat seemed to know exactly how to behave in these
circumstances. Mrs. Elliott and the girls of the party went down into the
little cabin, which held them all, but which was very crowded.

Guy Morris took command, and the other boys, and men, too, for that
matter, did exactly as he told them.

Ethelyn began to cry. This was really not surprising, as the girl had
never before had such an experience and was exceedingly nervous as well
as very much frightened.

Mrs. Elliott appreciated this, and putting her arm around the sobbing
child, comforted her with great tact and patience.

The storm passed as quickly as it came. There had been danger, both real
and plentiful, but no bad results attended, except that everybody was
more or less wet with the rain.

The boys were more and the girls less, but to Ethelyn's surprise, they
all seemed to view the whole performance quite as a matter of course, and
accepted the situation with the same merry philosophy that they had shown
in the morning.

The thermometer had fallen many degrees, and the cold wind against damp
clothing caused a most unpleasant sensation.

"It's an ill wind that blows nobody good," said Guy. "This breeze will
take us home, spinning."

"I'm glad of it," said Ethelyn snappishly; "I've had quite enough of the
sailing party."

Frank confided to Patty afterward that he felt like responding that the
sailing party had had quite enough of her, but instead he said politely:

"Oh, don't be so easily discouraged! Better luck next time."

To which Ethelyn replied, still crossly, "There'll be no next time for
me."

CHAPTER XIX

MORE COUSINS

Patty was not sorry when her Elmbridge cousins concluded their visit, and
the evening after their departure she sat on the veranda with her father,
talking about them.

"It's a pity," she said, "that Ethelyn is so ill-temp