gusts of wind and make it secure. But
before this could be accomplished the storm was upon him. The thunder
was terrific and the lightning incessant. The rain descended in
torrents, and the wind whipping across the deck, caught the half furled
sail and drove the boom with a thud to the full length of its sheet.
In a few minutes Eben was soaked to the skin as he leaned against the
mast for support. But he thought little of himself. His only concern
was for the "Eb and Flo" as she reeled beneath the storm and strained
heavily at her anchor.

CHAPTER XI

IN PERIL OF DEATH

The storm which raged with unabated fury for a full half hour was one
of the severest ever experienced on the St. John River. Hail mingled
with the rain, and did considerable damage to the crops which happened
to be caught in its on-rushing sweep. Trees were blown down, as well
as several buildings, and in a number of farm houses the glass in the
windows was broken by the fury of the driving hail.

While the storm was at its height, Eben sought shelter in the lee of
the cabin. This afforded him some protection, and from here he watched
anxiously to see how the boat would bear herself. During vivid flashes
of lightning the whole country around became illuminated, and he
glanced occasionally toward the shore upon his right. He had never
been afraid of a thunder storm, so it did not affect him now. In fact,
he rather enjoyed it, for it harmonised with the state of his mind. If
only the anchor would hold; that was his sole concern. He thought of
his prisoners within the cabin, and chuckled. He knew what a noise the
hail was making upon the roof, and he could hear the men pounding at
times upon the door and begging to be released.

Another quivering flash, followed instantly by a more terrific roar of
thunder, told Eben that something had been hit not far away. He caught
a glimpse of the trees along the shore and then all was dark. But that
fleeting vision was enough to cause him to straighten suddenly up. The
"Eb and Flo" was drifting before the wind! Another flash showed that
she was making fast for the main channel, and something had to be done
at once to save her. It was high tide now, he was well aware, and
should the boat, heavily loaded as she was, ground on the soft marshy
flats across the river, it would be next to impossible to get her off
again. Apart from the valuable cargo, the loss during the busy
carrying season