ons, train little boys to eat?"

"Do you see those clouds," remarked Cora, "they are just swooping down
on us, and we are miles from home. My, but it is going to be a quick
shower!"

The young people had been enjoying themselves so much that not until
Cora spoke did they realize that the sky had become overcast.

"Oh, I'm scared to death," cried Marita. "Those clouds are so
near--you would think they would touch the water!"

"Oh, aren't they black!" gasped Belle.

"Come, get everything under cover," called Jack, thinking first of the
danger to the girls and their boat. "Dray can get his awning up
quickly enough, but this one has not been opened yet."

"You boys just tie your canoe tight to us," Cora said, as the two
visitors were about to climb into their frail skiff. "You would be
washed out during the storm that's coming. Here, Bess, hold this,"
handing Bess one end of the awning tie. "Belle, can you keep that rope
taut?"

It was astonishing how quickly the scene of enjoyment turned to one of
alarm. Those of the girls who were active and eager to assist in
making things safe, did not suffer so much from fright as did they who
took time to watch the clouds. The first severe storm of Summer
usually has a more terrifying effect upon the timid ones than those
that may follow, and this one certainly was a "star" for a starter.

The lightning soon began to flash intermittently and the thunder to
rumble. The clear expanse of horizon afforded such a wide view of the
storm that it was small wonder those out in the bay feared for their
safety.

"Oh!" wailed Marita, as one flash of lightning seemed to dart directly
at the brass rail of Dray's boat. "I thought I was struck!"

Her words had not been uttered before the clap of thunder followed.
This had that queer, deep sound peculiar to the water, and certainly
the heart of the storm seemed to hover over the little fleet.

All over the bay sail boats, canoes, motor boats, row boats and every
sort of craft were making for shore, but in most of these there were
little or no goods that might be damaged by rain or waves, while both
the _Dixie_ and the _Chelton_ would have suffered severely had they
encountered a down-pour uncovered.

The awnings were up at last, and Jack had started the _Chelton_.
Directly after that the chug of the _Dixie_ was heard.

Then it was all storm! Raging! Roaring! Which way could two small
motor boats hope to plough their way in such a fury