Paddling under Palmettos — page 191: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

184 Paddling Under Palmettos. at his side. Then it must be that the wind was slacking. That was rather a singular thing at this time of the day, and might mean much, especially as a low bank of clouds seemed to be gathering along the horizon. Did this mean a storm? In spite of his fortitude and bravery, Archie felt a thrill of alarm at the prospect. To be caught out- side in a gale meant sure destruction. He had loved ones at home, and his mind often turned to them. For their sakes he had promised himself not to take any risks that could well be avoided. And yet Archie was not the one to speak at a time like this. Had he been alone, he would have headed at once for the shore and beached his boat, drawing the little craft far up beyond the reach of the waves. While in the company of his fellow- cruisers no word of alarm from him would be uttered that could swerve them in any choice of movement. From certain short talks he heard pass between his companions he realized that they were debating (EO NMIEL OOO KS (E(@)