d not be estimated by the
hands of a clock or watch; but in gasping breaths, thumping hearts,
pale faces and fears--for boys as well as for girls--it must have been
a long, long time.

Finally Freda stood up.

"There!" she exclaimed. "What did I tell you?"

"Sky!" they all shouted, clapping their hands like children.

"And--it--took a girl--to--do it!" exclaimed Jack, who would not have
been blamed for hugging Freda had the opportunity offered. Instead,
however, he made his way back to the wheel and allowed Freda and Cora
a chance to look at their blistered hands, for both girls had been
tugging at the spokes.

"Who would believe a storm would end like that?" said Belle, with the
relief that comes so quickly upon intense strain.

"We have got to keep in out of the rain for a while," Cora cautioned.
"There are enough water-loaded clouds over there yet to dampen our
enthusiasm."

This proved to be true, for torrents of rain followed in the wake of
the vanishing thunder clouds.

But the wind had ceased, and the waves soon quieted. With more than a
sigh of relief the _Chelton_ girls and boys fell into the course made
now by the _Dixie_, for in that boat Denny Shane was at the wheel.

CHAPTER XII

THE CALM

A more delightful scene than Crystal Bay presented, two hours after
the squall, could scarcely be imagined. To the motor girls it was
particularly effective, as may easily be imagined. Coming back around
the island the _Dixie_ picked up the lost canoe, so this left nothing
to be worried over in the record of adventure.

"How do you feel, Lottie?" Cora asked, when all had landed safely and
stood looking over the waters that could be so deceptive.

"Oh, I am all right, really," answered Lottie, a little ashamed that
she should have allowed herself to give way.

"But be careful," cautioned Cora. "Take it easy for the rest of the
day, at least. It doesn't do to try too much."

"Grandmother!" Lottie answered, with an affectionate squeeze of Cora's
arm. "What about you? Who did all the engineering in the storm? And
who is still 'on deck' giving orders?"

"Oh, I am strong," replied Cora, though strong as she was the last few
hours had told in the paler tint of her cheeks.

The return of the storm-stricken ones attracted crowds of bungalowers
and campers to the beach; for, of course, craft of all sorts had been
caught in the gale. The center of interest, however, was the
_Chelton_, for that boat had