board rail. They noticed the slope of the deck, but did not
realize its meaning, and Chester did not enlighten them. A peculiar
heart-sinking feeling persisted with him, which the coming storm did not
alleviate.

The captain was not in his place at dinner, which was all the more
noticeable, because it was the first time he had been absent. Some of
the passengers were beginning to feel the effects of the higher seas,
and they did not eat much. Very few went back to the deck from the
table. Lucy and the minister were among those who went to bed, but
Chester, clad in water proofs was easier on deck.

The wind was blowing hard, increasing in time to quite a gale. The waves
broke over the ship's prow, slushing the forward deck and driving all
who were out either back or to an upper deck. Chester kept away from
Captain Brown on the bridge, where he no doubt would remain throughout
the night.

Darkness came on thick and black. The wind howled hideously around
smoke-stack and rigging. The rain came in storms, then ceased only to
gather more strength for the next squall. How well the ship was standing
the rough weather, Chester did not know, and certainly the other
passengers had no fears, as most of them were asleep. Chester went down
the companion-way, glanced into the vacant saloon and hallways, and
paused at Lucy's door All was quiet, so she was no doubt asleep. His
father was also resting easily. He went on deck again.

As he mounted the steps to the tipper deck, he saw a brilliant light
shine from the bridge. It flashed for an instant, flooding the ship with
light, then went out. "The captain is signalling," thought Chester. In
five minutes the light flashed again, thus at regular intervals. The few
passengers who saw this, becoming alarmed, rushed to the bridge with
anxious questions. The captain met them at the foot of the stairs.

"My friends," he said in wonderfully calm tones "there is no occasion
for alarm. The weather is very thick, and as we are in the path of
steamers, these lights are set off as a warning." This explanation, as
Chester knew, was not all the truth, but the captain did not want a
panic so early in the trouble. The passengers seemed satisfied, but they
lingered for some time watching the lights and the remarkable effects
they had on the ship and the heaving sea. The captain touched Chester
who was still standing near the steps.

"You go to bed and get some rest," he said. "You may need all you