About four o'clock, however, they had to think about going home. They found the boatman sitting in front of the convent with some of the monks, and when he saw the boys he stood up at once. "Well, Ibrahim ammi (uncle)," said Archag, "are you ready?" "Ewet, my young Effendi, bouyourun (Yes, yes, let us be off)." "I really think," said one of the monks, pointing to a little cloud over Subhan Dagh, "that you will do well not to linger too long. We may get a squall." The old sailor looked up at the cloud, which he had not noticed before. "Yes, yes, we must make haste; Lake Van isn't pleasant in a storm." "A storm!" cried Aram laughing. "You see everything on the dark side to-day, uncle. The lake is as smooth as glass." But Ibrahim was already untying his boat, so our friends bade the monks good-by, and followed him. The island of Akhtamar soon lay a good distance behind them; Ibrahim rowed in silence, scanning the horizon from time to time. Aram laughed and joked; Archag was pre-occupied, for he knew the treacherous character of the lake. Great clouds, too, were coming over the mountains, and the boat rocked lightly on the waves. "Perhaps we should do better to go back," said the old man after a while. "In an hour we should be safe at Akhtamar, and it will take at least two hours and a half to reach Van." But the boys opposed this wise suggestion. The family at home would be anxious if they did not come back, and there was no storm yet. Besides, if the situation should grow worse, they could at any time put in to one of the villages along the shore, not more than two miles away. The old man bowed his head, muttering some words of resignation. He and Aram now bent to the oars. An hour passed thus. They were nearing the shore, and Archag was hoping yet to make port safely, when a flash of lightning rent the clouds, followed by the rumbling of thunder. The old man crossed himself: "We are in for it now!" he said. He lowered the sails, and prepared for a struggle against the elements now let loose. The wind was blowing a gale; huge waves broke against the boat, drenching the three occupants with spray, and the little vessel rolled and pitched. Aram was no longer joking; everything seemed to turn upside down, and his stomach was very uneasy. The poor lad had never been off the solid earth before, and soon became very sea-sick. The sky was on fire; peals of thunder reverberated from the cliffs, and rain fell in torrents. Instead of keeping on toward Van, Ibrahim had put about and was making with all speed for the nearest land. Calm and resolute, he preserved his sailor's coolness. The boys made the best of a bad business, but now they realized the danger that threatened them, and repented of their rashness.