THE STORM
Mr. Ronald's appearance on deck was the signal for a jubilant shout
from Dorothy, Molly and Jim.
"Now we'll be off again in a jiffy!" Molly cried. "I can see it in
Mr. Ronald's face."
"Which only goes to show that looks are really deceiving," returned
the owner of the yacht, good-naturedly.
"What!" cried Dorothy, while Molly gave vent to a disappointed, "Oh!"
"Do you mean that the engineer hasn't yet got to the seat of the
trouble?" queried Dr. Sterling.
"I regret to say that his efforts are not meeting with the success we
had hoped for, and as we are slowly drifting in toward the beach,
with only a few feet of water under our keel, we shall be forced to
drop anchor, pending further developments in the engine-room."
"That means that the trouble is serious," groaned Aunt Betty.
"Not necessarily," said Judge Breckenridge, in an encouraging tone,
"but if we run aground we will be 'suah 'nuff' in trouble, as old
Ephraim would say."
"The trouble is merely temporary, I assure you," Mr. Ronald went on.
"If you will excuse me again, I'll order the anchor dropped. Then we
can at least make our minds easy as to where we will stay until the
trouble is located."
The others nodded their assent and he hurried forward. A moment
later, with a rattling of chains, the anchor plunged into the waters
of the bay.
Mr. Ronald then rejoined his guests, and in spite of the anxiety that
was surging in Dorothy's breast, she entered into the spirit of the
occasion with the others. Story and jest rang out over the water as
the sun gradually approached the horizon.
It was after six when Sharley came on deck to say that the trouble
was as elusive as ever.
"We've been over every inch of her," he said, "and can't find a thing
the matter. Yet, she won't budge an inch. The gasoline supply is O.
K., and the batteries are in good shape. There's no trouble at all
about exploding the spark, but I can't get the engine to turn a
wheel, sir."
Mr. Ronald cast an uneasy glance toward the eastern sky, where a
heavy bank of clouds was appearing above the sky-line. The rapidity
with which they were approaching seemed to indicate that a storm was
brewing. He said nothing of this to his guests, though, but smilingly
remarked that he would go below again to go over the matter another
time with Sharley. Then owner and engineer disappeared below decks
together.
Anxiously those on deck awaited some report from the engine-room; but
the minutes slipped by and none came.
Finally, Dorothy noticed the approaching storm, and gave vent to a
startled exclamation, which, caused Aunt Betty to jump, and Molly to
grab her chum nervously by the arm.
"What is it?" Aunt Betty wanted to know.
Dorothy extended her finger toward the formidable looking bank of
clouds.
"A storm is coming," she replied, "and if we don't hurry and fix the
engines we shall be caught in it."
As if in answer to Dorothy's remark, Mr. Ronald appeared on deck at
this instant. His face wore a troubled expression and the hopes of
the guests fell as they noticed it.
"It's of no use; we can't find the trouble," he said. "Looks very
like we were in a trap and destined to quite a stay."
The wind had already commenced to blow. The _Nautilus_ had swung
around bow on to the east and was tugging viciously at her anchor.
"If some other boat would only come by and pick us up!" cried Aunt
Betty. "Why, we may have to stay out here all night."
"What of it?" queried Judge Breckenridge.
"Why, Dorothy will be in no shape for the concert to-morrow
night--that's what of it. And Herr and Frau Deichenberg will be
worried over our continued absence."
"The cabin of the yacht will afford comfortable sleeping quarters for
you ladies," said Mr. Ronald. "I regret this occurrence, but now that
we are here, with no prospect for getting away under several hours,
we must make the best of a bad bargain."
"Let me suggest that we all go inside," said Dr. Sterling. "The wind
is getting too cool for you, Mrs. Calvert."
"I suppose that's an insinuation against my age," returned the person
addressed, with some spirit. "But I'll forgive you, doctor; we had
best look the facts in the face."
She arose as she spoke, and taking Jim's arm, walked slowly toward
the cabin. The others followed.
No sooner were they inside than the storm descended with a roar.
Sheets of water, wind-driven, beat against the windows of the cabin,
and the yacht rose on top of great waves to plunge down into the
trough of the sea with a motion that gave Aunt Betty a sinking
feeling.
"It's like going down in an elevator," she confided to Dorothy. "I
just know I'm going to be seasick."
"You will if you think about it every minute," said Dr. Sterling.
"Get your mind on something else and you will be all right."
"Easier said than done, doctor."
"Oh, I don't know. Now, that reminds me of a story," and he went on
to relate a certain incident of his career which took the thoughts of
seasickness and storm away from Aunt Betty's mind.
It soon grew so dark it became necessary to switch on the electric
lights. Then, while the yacht rolled and tossed on the heavy waves,
Mr. Ronald and his guests entertained themselves as best they could.
Through the windows a glare marked the location of the city, though
no objects were visible on the ink-black surface of the water. As
Dorothy looked longingly out into the darkness she wondered what Herr
Deichenberg and Mr. Ludlow would be thinking by this time.
Knowing she had gone out on the yacht, and that a storm had descended
on both bay and city, they would be worried, no doubt, and there was
no means of communicating with them to allay their fears until the
yacht was able to pull up anchor and steam into the city by her own
motive power. And this seemed unlikely to happen soon, for no word of
encouragement had come from the engine-room, though Engineer Sharley
and his assistant were still making a diligent search for the
trouble.
Fortunately the larder of the _Nautilus_ was well-stocked with food,
and Mr. Ronald, with the help of one of the deck hands, was able to
serve a very satisfactory lunch to the storm-bound, hungry guests.
Steaming coffee was made on a little electric range, and this, with
rolls, canned salmon, and bread and butter, served to satisfy the
appetites of all.
"How nice and cozy this would be," said Molly, as they were gathered
about the table, "if it were not storming so hard, and Dorothy was
not worried as to when she is to reach the city."
"Why, pshaw! there's nothing to worry over," said Jim. "The storm
won't last forever, and I'm sure if the engines are not fixed by
morning, Mr. Ronald will signal for a tow to pull us into the city."
"That will be the only thing to do," said the yachtsman. "But the
trouble will be remedied before morning, I am sure."
At ten o'clock the storm had abated to some extent, though the rain
was still beating in sheets against the cabin windows. The wind,
however, seemed to have lost its great velocity, and the yacht did
not toss as badly.
Under these comforting circumstances the girls and Aunt Betty retired
to the staterooms of the yacht, where they threw themselves in the
bunks thoroughly dressed, resolved to get what rest they could.
In the cabin the men smoked and told stories, while Jim sat near, an
interested listener. At midnight the boy curled up on a seat built
against the side of the cabin and went to sleep. Judge Breckenridge
was nodding in a big Morris chair, so Dr. Sterling and Mr. Ronald
left them and went to the engine-room, where Sharley and his
assistant were still laboring faithfully at the machinery.
"Well, we've got it located," said the grimy engineer, smiling
good-naturedly. "The trouble is on this end of the propeller shaft. A
piece of metal is lodged between the cogs, and we've been unable so
far to get it out. It's only a question of time, though. Bill is
hammering away with a cold chisel and something is bound to give 'way
soon."
"Can we run into the city in the storm, Sharley, or will it be better
to wait till it clears?"
"Well, it's pretty misty out, and hard to see the lights of other
boats, but we'll chance it if you say so, sir."
"I'll think it over. Let me know when the engine is fixed and we'll
decide what is best to do. Come, Sterling; let's go on deck for a
breath of air."
Donning heavy ulsters, they were soon on the slippery deck of the
yacht, the storm beating in their faces. The man in the wheelhouse,
encased in heavy oilskins, was nodding in the shelter of his little
quarters. He started up as Mr. Ronald and his friend came slipping
along the deck.
"A bad night, sir, but the storm's going down," he remarked,
pleasantly.
"The engines will soon be fixed, Donnelly, and if it's let up
sufficiently we may try to make the city at once. Otherwise we will
wait till daylight."
"Yes, sir; all right, sir," and the man bowed as Mr. Ronald and Dr.
Sterling passed on.
In the meantime, Dorothy and Molly lay in their bunks, talking on
various subjects, but mostly of the coming concert. Dorothy, of
course, was worried, and was trying to borrow trouble by declaring
the storm would keep up all the following day, and that she might be
forced to miss the concert altogether--an idea which Molly
"pooh-poohed" in vigorous terms.
"I'm surprised at you, Dorothy Calvert," she said. "You're not a
quitter. Nothing in the world will keep you from being at the theater
to-morrow night, and you will play as you have never played before.
Difficulties will but serve to spur you on to greater deeds."
"You're right, chum," Dorothy replied. "That is a well-deserved
rebuke and I thank you for it. Which reminds me that my fears were
groundless, for the wind is going down and it does not seem to be
raining as hard as it was."
"Of course not, you goosey! These storms rarely last more than a few
hours. The sun will be shining in the morning, and all you'll see to
remind you of to-night will be the rather worn looks of your
companions. But what is one night's loss of sleep, anyway? I just
know when you were at school you lost many a good night's sleep
through some prank. Now, didn't you?"
"That would be telling tales out of school," smiled Dorothy.
"An evasion means an assent," remarked her chum. "And the next
evening you were feeling as well as ever--just as a nice, warm bath
and a rub-down will make you forget your troubles of to-night."
And Molly was a true prophet. The storm went down rapidly after
midnight, until there was only a slight mist falling, and the wind
came in fitful little gusts, which lacked the force to do damage even
of a slight nature.
After one o'clock, with the cheering intelligence that the engines
would soon be in working order, called to them through the stateroom
door by Dr. Sterling, the girls fell asleep, to be awakened some
hours later by the motion of the boat.
"Oh, look, Molly!" Dorothy cried, shaking her chum out of a sound
sleep. "The yacht is under way."
"Didn't I tell you so?" was the rather discomforting reply, as Molly
sat up, rubbing her eyes. "First thing we know we'll be back at the
hotel."
"We'll have to reach the dock first, though."
"Thanks for the information," said Molly, as she began to arrange her
hair.
The sun was streaming in through the port-holes and the water without
was as smooth as glass. The yacht was headed toward the city, and
moving along at a steady pace, though not at full speed.
The girls smoothed out their crumpled dresses, gave several other
touches to their attire, and after a vigorous use of powder rags,
taken from their hand-satchels, they aroused Aunt Betty and together
went into the cabin, thence to the deck.
"Good morning!" greeted Judge Breckenridge, who, seated near the rail
amidships, was smoking an early morning cigar in the keenest
enjoyment.
"It is _good_ morning, sure enough!" cried Dorothy, drawing her lungs
full of the pure, sweet air. "And I'm so glad. I hope we reach the
city soon, for Herr Deichenberg and Mr. Ludlow will be worried to
death over my absence."
"In half an hour we'll be at the wharf," said Mr. Ronald, who
approached at this moment. "I trust you rested well?"
This remark was directed principally toward Aunt Betty, who replied:
"I didn't hear a sound all night long. The last noise I heard was the
chatter of the two young magpies who occupied the berths across from
me, but no misfortune, no matter how dire or dreadful, could bridle
their tongues, so that was to be expected."
"That sounds very much like a libel to me," said Dorothy, laughing.
"Well, you're my niece, and I can libel you if I wish," was the
spirited response.
"But Molly isn't your niece, auntie."
"Never mind; she insists on keeping company with you. Under those
circumstances she must expect to take home to herself most of the
things I say about you."
"I'm not worried," said Molly. "I suppose we are all you say we are,
and more, Mrs. Calvert."
"That's a charitable view to take of it," said Dr. Sterling.
The engines were working so well that before they realized it the
_Nautilus_ was lying snugly moored to her wharf in the North River.
Mr. Ronald's guests bade him good-by and left the boat, after making
him promise to be at Dorothy's concert in the evening.
At the hotel, early as was the hour, Dorothy found Herr Deichenberg
and Mr. Ludlow in conference over her continued absence.
"My goodness! My goodness!" cried the music master. "Would you drive
us crazy, Miss Dorothy, that you stay avay all night and make us
believe you are lost in the storm?"
"I did not make you believe anything, Herr Deichenberg. You took that
upon yourself. And perhaps I was lost in the storm, sir," replied the
girl, then extended her hand to Mr. Ludlow.
"I forgive you, Miss Calvert, and trust you have not so impaired your
faculties that your work will fall below its usual standard
to-night," said the manager.
"I have not, I assure you. We were very comfortable in the berths,
and put in some good time sleeping between midnight and morning.
Molly will tell you that we have no reason for feeling badly."
"Indeed, no, and Dorothy will be in perfect trim, Mr. Ludlow."
"Your assurance makes my mind perfectly easy," was his reply.
"But vhy didn't you let us know?" Herr Deichenberg asked excitedly.
"Vhy? Vhy?"
"Because the yacht was not equipped with a wireless apparatus, I
suppose," Jim Barlow put in, rather testily. "She has done the best
she knew how, sir, and that's all anyone can do."
"Truly spoken, my boy," replied the Herr, laying a kindly hand on his
shoulder. "You must not mind me; I am a little nervous--dat iss all."
"The nervousness will pass away now the truant has returned," Aunt
Betty assured him.
Frau Deichenberg, who approached at that moment, nodded, smiling:
"Ah, madame, dat iss true. You must not mind him. He iss like dat
vhenever anyt'ing goes wrong. But he means not'ing--not'ing!" She
extended her hand. "I am glad to see you safely back."
Assuring Mr. Ludlow that she would be on hand in the evening without
fail, and promising to see him during the afternoon if he called,
Dorothy went up to her room, where a hot bath and a nap of several
hours' duration put her in excellent physical trim for the ordeal
that night--for an ordeal she knew it was to be--an ordeal that would
be the making or the breaking of her career.