A WATERSPOUT. 145

likely speak about noon, and you’ll want to be on hand
then.”

“If I have the same good fortune I have had for the
past week, it will begin to rain as soon as I show my nose
outside,” the young girl said, laughingly ; “but I’m going
just the same, and intend to remain, no matter how hard
it storms.”

«You must not take any chances. If the squalls come
as lively as they did last night, I shall insist on your going
below.”

« And I have an idea that we haven’t seen the last of
them,” Mr. Bean, who had just entered the saloon, added.
“Things look altogether too smooth to suit me, and it
will stand us in hand to keep our weather eyes lifting dur-
ing every hour of this day.”

Old Eliphalet, who had just brought some of the food,
looked at the first officer in an injured way as he made
this prediction.

The steward had certainly had a very hard time of it
during the succession of squalls. More than once had he
lost the greater portion of a meal while bringing it from
the galley to the cabin, by reason of being overturned in
crossing the deck, and he had just been congratulating
himself that they would have a spell of fine weather, when
he heard the mate’s remark.

He did not venture upon any reply, for he had been at
sea long enough to understand that, however familiarly
the officers might treat him while in port, they would
allow no more freedom on his part while under way than