of Giraffe.

"It's the first blow of the squall, as sure as anything," he immediately
reported; which news made Bumpus turn pale; for he had not forgotten
what he experienced on that other occasion.

"Coming racing after us, like hot cakes!" added Giraffe. "Hadn't we
better get them life preservers out, and fastened on under our arms,
Thad? Then, if so be the old tub did take a notion to turn turtle, we'd
have some show for our money."

"Make him stop talking that way, Thad, won't you?" urged Bumpus; "he
just does it to make me have a bad feeling down here," and he rubbed his
projecting stomach mournfully as he spoke.

"No, I'm sorry to tell you he isn't saying anything too strong, Bumpus,"
the skipper of the Chippeway Belle assured him; and after that poor
Bumpus had nothing more to say; only he clutched the cork and canvas
life preserver which was handed out to him, and with trembling hands
proceeded to adjust the same under his arms; though it was a very snug
fit, even if Giraffe had given him the largest in the lot under the
seats.

"If anything happens, remember," said Thad, in all seriousness, as he
watched the rapid way in which that ominous white line on the water was
racing after them; "all of you try your best to land on the island.
We're getting closer all the while to the same, and there seems to be
some shore for us to crawl up, because, with the rocks I can see little
patches of gravelly beach. Keep your eyes fixed on that, and do
everything you can to get there in case of a wreck."