But there's the chance of counter-storms. Before the two
boats from the _Mailfast_ were sucked down, and 'fore the crew was fair
starved, a sudden shift of wind broke up the seaweed field and they
escaped and were picked up.
"The danger of the Sargasso threatens all sailin' ships in them seas.
Steam vessels have a better chance; but many a craft that's turned up
missin' has undoubtedly been swallowed by the Sargasso."
Louise, who heard this discussion from the doorway of the store, could
not fail to be impressed by it. Could the _Curlew_, with her father
and Cap'n Abe aboard, have suffered such a fate? There was an element
of probability in this tale of Cap'n Amazon's that entangled the girl's
fancy. However, the idea colored the old man's further imagination in
another way.
"Sargasso Sea," he said reflectively, between puffs of his pipe, after
the idlers had left the store. "Yes, 'tis a fact, Niece Louise.
That's what Abe drifted in for years--a mort of seaweed and pulp."
"What _do_ you mean, Uncle Amazon?" gasped the girl, shocked by his
words.
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