The boys looked at each other; perhaps Thad and Allan smiled somewhat,
but for a wonder none of the others had any kind of joke to spring just
then; for truth to tell Giraffe, Davy and even Step Hen himself were
feeling as though if this sort of swaying motion had to keep up much
longer they could not resist the temptation to copy after the boy who
was so terribly seasick.

"Thought I felt a drop of rain just then," remarked Giraffe, more to
have something to talk about, and so forget his other troubles, than
that he really believed it.

"No, it must only have been the spray," said Thad. "You notice that
sometimes after a big wave slaps up against our larboard quarter, the
wind carries drops of water flying past. It's a lively little blow all
right, though I suppose the people up here, who are used to much worse
things, wouldn't think this anything."

"P'raps they might if they were out so far from land, in such a little
pumpkinseed of a boat," complained Step Hen.

"And with an old rattletrap of a motor that's threatening to wheeze its
last any minute, at that," added Giraffe, fiercely.

"Let up on that kind of talk, Giraffe," said Davy; "we've sure all got
troubles of our own as it is, without that silly calling of names. For
my part I think the engine is doing its prettiest, and I take off my hat
to it. Don't, you go to calling it hard names, or it might get even by
kicking over the traces, and quitting on us. Then we would be in a fine
pickle. But I think it's better to keep lying down, all you can, when