much the same way that he did change their course slightly.

The boys had brought out what most they wanted to save in case of a
wreck. One carried his clothes bag, with the blanket fastened to the
same; another had the double-barreled shotgun; while Giraffe made sure
to see that his fishing tackle was safely tucked in with his belongings,
which he had made up into as small a compass as possible.

As for Bumpus, he had gathered everything he owned, and looked as though
he might be a walking peddler trying to dispose of his wares to the
country people. On the other hand there was Step Hen who did not appear
to care an atom about his clothes and his blanket; but he had managed to
wrap something around the owl, and was all the while gripping the bird
tightly; though Bumpus said he was silly to risk his own life, when all
he had to do was to cut the cord he had put around the cloth, unfasten
the chain that gripped the bird's leg, and give him a toss into the air,
when Jim would look out for himself.

"Wish I could fly away as easy as he can," Bumpus wound up with; but in
spite of all these suggestions the obstinate Step Hen still persisted in
holding on to his prisoner, as though he meant to accept every chance
rather than let him go.

"Hold fast, everybody, for here she comes!" called Allan, presently.

The puttering of the escape connection with the engine could no longer
be heard, because of the roar made by the rushing wind, and the splash
of the curling water, as the squall leaped forward and rapidly overtook
them.