All the lanterns were lit and hung up, Sam doing this with an oilsilk coat around him—a garment found in one of the staterooms. Yet he came in pretty wet.
"It's a screamer," he announced to Tom, as he dried himself by the boiler. "Never knew they could have such storms down here."
"They have storms all over the world," answered Tom. "What is Dick doing?"
"Running before the wind."
"He just told me to slow down more yet."
"Well, he can't see a thing ahead and he doesn't want to run into anything."
"And Hans?"
"Down, the sickest ever."
"Too bad! I know what it is to be sick. Better leave him alone."
"That's what Dick said."
As but little steam was needed Sam had no call to urge on his fire beneath the boiler, and he and Tom sat down near the speaking tube, to talk occasionally to Dick.
Thus two hours went by. Nobody had the least desire to go to sleep, even though the long swim had made each boy rather tired. The fury of the elements made them nervous.
"This puts me in mind of the time we were on the Pacific," called down Dick through the speaking tube. He referred to the adventures they
