Page:Moving Picture Boys and the Flood.djvu/148

138 and the force of the wind. The Clytie was tugging hard at her mooring cable, which was strained taut.

"It wouldn't do any harm to put on another rope!" cried Blake.

"We'll do it," answered Mr. Ringold, from the sleeping cabin.

Blake made his way to the cleat to which the boat end of the rope was made fast. He saw, with concern, that the rope was frayed, and would not hold much longer.

"Better hurry!" he called, but he had scarcely spoken when the very sky seemed rent with a bolt of lightning, and, as the raging, roaring, flooded river was lighted up by the flash, the rope parted and the motor boat was carried away.

"We're adrift!" yelled Blake, as intense darkness succeeded the bright glare.