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CHAPTER IX. A STORM ON THE LAKE. fHE old sailor was impatiently awaiting the return of the travellers ; for during the last hour the weather had changed, and the appearance of the sky was calculated to render any one accustomed to read the signs of the clouds uneasy. The sun was obscured by a thick mist, the wind had fallen, but an ominous moaning was heard from the south of the lake. These symptoms of an approaching change of temperature were developed with all the rapidity peculiar to these elevated latitudes. " Let us be off, sir ! let us be off ! " cried old Norman, looking anxiously at the fog above his head. ** Let us start without losing an instant. There are terrible signs in the air ! " " Indeed," exclaimed the Lieutenant, " the appearance of the sky is quite changed, and we never noticed it, Mrs Barnett ! " " Are you afraid of a storm ? " inquired the lady of old Norman. "Yes, madam," replied the old sailor; "and the storms on the Great Bear Lake are often terrible. The hurricane rages as if upon the open Atlantic Ocean. This sudden fog bodes us no good ; but the tempest may hold back for three or four hours, and by that time we shall be at Fort Confidence. Let us then start without a moment's delay, for the boat would not be safe near these rocks." The Lieutenant, feeling that the old man, accustomed as he was to navigate these waters, was better able to judge than himself, decided to follow his advice, and embarked at once with Mrs Barnett But just as they were pushing off, old Norman, as if possessed by some sudden presentiment, murmured — " Perhaps it would be better to wait." Lieutenant Hobson overheard these words, and looked inquiringly at the old boatman, already seated at the helm. Had he been alone he would not have hesitated to start, but as Mrs Barnett was with him caution was necessary. The lady at once saw and understood his hesitation.