"I believe it is the same skiff I saw this morning," commented Tom. "I
suppose it is some fellow who has been fishing out here. Just think of
the fish in this wonderful bay--perch and pike and bass and a hundred
other kinds! You must help me catch some of them some day."

"All right, I will," promised Madge merrily. As they went farther out
into the bay they grew strangely silent. The spell of the sea was upon
them and they were content to sail along, exchanging but little
conversation. Chesapeake Bay was apparently in one of its most amiable
moods and, lured on by its apparent good nature, Tom grew a trifle more
reckless than was his wont and did not turn about to begin the homeward
sail as soon as he had originally intended.

It was Madge who broke the spell. "I think we had better start back.
Perhaps I merely imagine it, but it seems to me that the sun isn't
shining as brightly as it shone a little while ago. I know the bay so
well. It is so wonderful, but so treacherous. I was once out on it in
a sailboat during a sudden squall and I am not likely to forget it."
Madge gave a slight shudder at the recollection.

"All right," agreed Tom, "I'll turn about, but there isn't the
slightest danger of a squall to-day." He brought his little craft
about and headed toward the beach.

In spite of his assurance that there would he no squall, a black,
threatening cloud had appeared in the sky, and now the wind shifted,
blowing strongly toward land. Tom, who was nothing if not a sailor,
managed the boat so skilfully that Madge's apprehensions were soon
quieted and she gave herself up to the complete enjoyment of rushing
along in the freshened breeze.