rry's duty to see that everything on the deck
was "ship-shape," and this was especially necessary when a storm was
coming up. He made a tour of the ship, his keen eyes taking in every
detail.

As it happened, an hour before he had set the sailor Semmel to work
stowing away some odds and ends of rope. He had supposed that this task
was long since finished, but now he found the ropes scattered about as
before.

"See here, Semmel," he called out, "why didn't you stow away those ropes
as I told you?"

"Stow dem avay in a leetle vile," answered the sailor with the heavy
beard.

"You'll stow them away now," returned Larry, sharply. He did not at all
fancy the manner of the hand he was addressing. "I told you to do it an
hour ago. We don't want anything loose on deck when this storm hits us."

"Vincent kicked de ropes out dare," growled Semmel. "I had nodding to do
mit 'em."

"That isn't here or there. I told you to stow them away, and I want you
to do it. If you don't, I'll have to report you to the captain."

"Oh, I do him!" grumbled Semmel, but he glared at Larry as if he wished
to chew the young second mate up. "You put all dare vork on me, hey?" he
added, after a pause.

"You've got to do your share of it."

"Humph!" Semmel seemed on the point of saying more, but shut his teeth
and began to arrange the ropes in proper order. Larry watched him for a
moment and then walked away. As soon as his back was turned the sailor
shook his fist at the young second mate.

"You vait!" he muttered. "Chust vait, you Jankee rat!"

The sky kept growing darker, and soon came a puff of wind much heavier
than any that had gone before. The _Columbia_ had been moving over the
waves on an even keel, but now she gave a sudden lurch to starboard.

"Reckon it's time to take them reefs in the fore-course," said Grandon to
Larry, and soon the sailors were at work on the sheets, leaving just
sufficient canvas up to make the schooner mind her helm. It was hard
work, for the sudden gusts made the sail snap and crack like a whip.

So far it had not rained a drop, but now came a sudden downpour, the
drops "as big as hen's eggs," to use Luke Striker's manner of describing
them. Then came a flash of lightning out of the western sky, followed by
a rumble of thunder.

"This is going to be an old-time storm," was Larry's comment, as he met
Luke Striker near the forecastle. "I'll have to get my oilskin out."

Luke already had his raincoat on