"I reckon it does sway a bit, for we're gettin' what you might call a full-sized nor'east gale. Sammy was right when he allowed there'd be a change in the weather, an' I wasn't so far out of the way when I talked about snow." "Is it snowing?" Sidney cried in surprise. "Take a squint out of the window, an' you'll see the flakes comin' so thick an' fast that it's worse'n a fog." Sidney did as he was bidden, and after gazing into the wreaths of the whirling particles which were revealed by the strong light from the room above, he cried: "I really believe the waves are breaking over the highest part of the ledge!" "If they are it won't be anythin' new, Sonny. Time an' time agin I've looked outer that window when it seemed as if this 'ere tower stood right in the sea, with never a rock showin' itself; but the surf ain't runnin' as high as it will be in the mornin'. Then, whether the wind dies away or not, you'll see the waves breakin' mighty near the kitchen door." "But what about the motor boat?" and Sidney looked alarmed. "Sammy called me after he'd been on watch a couple of hours, an' we went down to see what could be done. She's lashed fore an' aft to the boat-house, but with all that there's danger of her bein' stove, an' we can't do anything to prevent it." "What shall I do? What shall I do?" Sidney cried in distress, for it seemed to him that if the boat belonging to the _West Wind_ was destroyed, the last link binding him to his father would be broken. "There's nothin' you can do, Sonny," Captain Eph said soothingly, as he took the lad in his arms. "Out here we have to take whatever comes, without a chance of fightin' agin it. If your boat is lost you must try to look pleasant, an' thank God this 'ere gale didn't spring up before you reached Carys' Ledge." The howling of the wind and the beating of the surf against the base of the tower made such a noise that it was necessary those in the watch-room should speak loudly in order that their words might be heard above the tumult of the elements. Sidney clung tightly to Captain Eph, with both arms around the old man's neck, for the danger seemed suddenly to have increased as he realized that they were beyond reach of earthly aid in event of any accident. Never before had he understood how entirely alone were light keepers on an isolated station, nor how ominous the howling of the wind might sound under such circumstances. "Could the wind blow this tower over, sir?" he asked, and Captain Eph replied as he stroked the lad's hair affectionately. "Now don't get anythin' like that inter your head, Sonny, although I allow there's reason for it. When I first came to Carys' Ledge, an' was standin' watch on a night like this, it seemed certain the tower would go by the board; but after a time I made myself understand that it was almost as firm as the solid rock. Besides, not bein' so big as to offer much resistance to the gale, I question if even a full-sized tornado could harm it."