Voyage of the Dolphin by Gilbert L. Morris Read Free Book Online Page A

dare—”
    Daybright pulled out her chair with one hand, grasped her arm with the other. She was a strong young woman, but the bulk of the sailor made her seem almost like a child.
    â€œLet me go!” she cried out. She tried to slap him, but he grabbed her other hand.
    He held both wrists with one hand and said, “I will take you to your cabin.”
    He dragged her out of the galley, and when they got to the ladder she cried, “I won't go up there! You can't make me!”
    â€œOh, yes, I think that can be arranged.”
    The Sleepers all watched as he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. Her legs were kicking, and she was beating him on the back ineffectually with her fists, screaming with all her might.
    â€œPut me down! Put me down!”
    The captain's legs disappeared up the ladder, and his tread could be heard on the deck.
    â€œWell, I guess we know what kind of a man our captain is,” Dave said in awe. “I didn't think he'd do it.”
    â€œWell, I did,” Josh said, “and he did it just right.”
    â€œYou think he'll make her stay in that cabin?” Abbey asked.
    â€œI expect he will.” Wash was grinning from ear to ear. “And a good thing too. That young lady, she needs to learn how to behave herself.”
    Josh sidled up to where Captain Daybright was standing at the wheel, staring out to the horizon. “Getting dark, Captain,” he said.
    Daybright didn't answer for a moment. He was eyeing the sky. “Yes, it is. Josh, be sure things are tied down pretty well. I think we're in for a blow.”
    Josh looked over and saw the dark clouds on the horizon. “Why, that's a long way off.”
    â€œI know, but this air's got a blow in it. Feel the ship lifting? See those sails?”
    Josh was no sailor, but he could sense something like a moody quality in the sky, and he looked anxiously at Daybright. “You think we're in for a storm?”
    â€œI wouldn't be surprised if we had a little blow.”
    Josh stood there for a while before saying, “Captain, are you ever going to let Miss Catalina out of her cabin?”
    â€œI'm not keeping her there. She can come out any time she's ready to apologize to Sarah.”
    â€œShe won't ever do that. She's prouder than a peacock.”
    â€œThen it's time she learned a little humility.'' Day-bright looked ahead and said under his breath, “If we have a real blow, that may teach her a little.” His face was stern, and he looked at Josh, a thoughtful light in his eyes. “Nobody feels important when they head into a hurricane. We're all of us mighty small.”
    â€œYou think it's a hurricane up there?” Josh was alarmed. “I've heard they get pretty bad.”
    The captain repeated, “Nobody feels very big when he's in the midst of a hurricane—not even Dawn Catalina.”

5
Hurricane!
    I never knew wind could blow this hard!”
    The shrill whistling snatched the words from Reb's lips. He knew he had shouted at Dave as loud as he could, but his words sounded feeble and thin.
    The two were on deck and had obeyed Daybright's orders to tie themselves down so they wouldn't be washed overboard. Underneath their feet the Dolphin plunged up and down in a frightening manner.
    Dave looked up to where Captain Daybright was fixed at the wheel, a solitary figure. The others were all below deck.
    â€œI never thought a storm could be this bad,” Dave shouted into Reb's ear. “To tell the truth, I'm a little bit scared.”
    Reb turned his pale blue eyes on his friend. “Ain't nothing wrong with being scared. Right now I don't mind admitting I'm about as scared as a feller can get. Never did like water nohow.”
    The Dolphin bobbed up and down like a wood chip. Overhead the skies were black and ominous. The sea rolled in huge waves. At times the ship would poise on top of a monstrous wave, then would skim down into the trough.
    â€œIt's