The captain was not in his place at dinner, which was all the more noticeable, because it was the first time he had been absent.  Some of the passengers were beginning to feel the effects of the higher seas, and they did not eat much.  Very few went back to the deck from the table.  Lucy and the minister were among those who went to bed, but Chester, clad in water proofs was easier on deck.

The wind was blowing hard, increasing in time to quite a gale.  The waves broke over the ship’s prow, slushing the forward deck and driving all who were out either back or to an upper deck.  Chester kept away from Captain Brown on the bridge, where he no doubt would remain throughout the night.

Darkness came on thick and black.  The wind howled hideously around smoke-stack and rigging.  The rain came in storms, then ceased only to gather more strength for the next squall.  How well the ship was standing the rough weather, Chester did not know, and certainly the other passengers had no fears, as most of them were asleep.  Chester went down the companion-way, glanced into the vacant saloon and hallways, and paused at Lucy’s door All was quiet, so she was no doubt asleep.  His father was also resting easily.  He went on deck again.

As he mounted the steps to the tipper deck, he saw a brilliant light shine from the bridge.  It flashed for an instant, flooding the ship with light, then went out.  “The captain is signalling,” thought Chester.  In five minutes the light flashed again, thus at regular intervals.  The few passengers who saw this, becoming alarmed, rushed to the bridge with anxious questions.  The captain met them at the foot of the stairs.

“My friends,” he said in wonderfully calm tones “there is no occasion for alarm.  The weather is very thick, and as we are in the path of steamers, these lights are set off as a warning.”  This explanation, as Chester knew, was not all the truth, but the captain did not want a panic so early in the trouble.  The passengers seemed satisfied, but they lingered for some time watching the lights and the remarkable effects they had on the ship and the heaving sea.  The captain touched Chester who was still standing near the steps.

“You go to bed and get some rest,” he said.  “You may need all your strength later.  There is no danger tonight.  Go to bed.”

Chester took the captain’s advice.  He went to bed, but it was not easy to go to sleep, so he did not do this until well towards morning.

The storm was still on next morning when Chester awoke.  He dressed hurriedly, listened again at Lucy’s and his father’s doors, but hearing nothing went on deck.  The day was well advanced.  The wind seemed not so strong as the night before, and the waves were not so high.  However, the sea was rough enough to add to the danger of a sinking ship.  Chester noticed the “list to larboard,” and the “settling at the head,” and found both of these dangerous conditions worse.  The