ther two fell to work also, and
the canoe shot forward, Robert looking up anxiously now and then at the
clouds hovering over the lofty peaks. He noticed that they were still
increasing and that now they fused together. Then all the crests were
lost in the great masses of vapor which crept far down the slopes. The
blue sky over their heads turned to gray with amazing rapidity. The air
grew heavy and damp. Thunder, low and then loud, rolled among the
western mountains. Lightning blazed in dazzling flashes across the lake,
showing the waters yellow or blood red in the glare. The forest moaned
and rocked, and with a scream and a roar the wind struck the lake.

The water, in an instant, broke into great waves, and the canoe rocked
so violently that it would have overturned at once had not the three
possessed such skill with the paddle. Even then the escape was narrow,
and their strength was strained to the utmost.

"We must land somewhere!" exclaimed Willet, looking up at the lofty
shore.

But where? The cliff was so steep that they saw no chance to pull up
themselves and the canoe, and, keeping as close to it as they dared,
they steadied the frail vessel with their paddles. The wind continually
increased in violence, whistling and screaming, and at times assuming an
almost circular motion, whipping the waters of the lake into white foam.
Day turned to night, save when the blazing flashes of lightning cut the
darkness. The thunder roared like artillery.

Willet hastily covered the ammunition and packs with their blankets, and
continued to search anxiously for a place where they might land.

"The rain will be here presently," he shouted, "and it'll be so heavy
it'll come near to swamping us if we don't get to shelter first! Paddle,
lads! paddle!"

The three, using all their strength and dexterity, sent the canoe
swiftly southward, still hugging the shore, but rocking violently. After
a few anxious minutes, Robert uttered a shout of joy as he saw by the
lightning's flash a cove directly ahead of them with shores at a fair
slope. They sent the canoe into it with powerful strokes, sprang upon
the bank, and then drew their little craft after them. Selecting a spot
sheltered on the west by the lofty shore and on either side to a certain
extent by dense woods, they turned the canoe over, resting the edges
upon fallen logs which they pulled hastily into place, and crouched
under it. They considered themselves especially lucky