The fleet, nevertheless, began to heave on the
troubled water, break its formation, and fall into imminent danger of
frequent collision. The great river, usually so friendly, and, like a long
cord, uniting the green lands on either side, was now full of wrath and
fury. Burst after burst of wind, screaming ominously, swept over it, and
the waves rolled like those of the sea. Despite powerful hands on oar and
paddle, the fleet was driven about like a covey of frightened birds.
Meanwhile, the darkness increased until it was almost like night.
Adam Colfax struggled hard. He wished to keep to the middle of the river,
and a single boat might have fought out the storm there, but the danger
was steadily increasing. Two boats, already, were in collision, and with
great difficulty were saved from sinking.
"We'll have to make for the shore and tie up," he shouted to Henry, who
was in the boat next to him. "I think it's the most violent storm I ever
saw on the Mississippi."
"We may find a sheltered place," Henry shouted back above the roar of the
wind.
"There's nothing else to do," said Adam Colfax. "The eastern shore looks
the lower, and we'll go for it at once."
He gave the signal with hand and voice, and all the boats began to pull
with their whole strength in a diagonal course toward the east bank, while
the wind shrieked in gust after gust, the thunder crashed incessantly, and
the coppery lightning flared in great saber-cuts across the sky.
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