Amid crashing thunder, roaring winds, pounding rain, and the creaking of the steamer as it struggled forward in the rolling sea, the passengers could hear the occasional shouted order from the officers. The steamer was tossed from side to side. 'Are we in danger of striking the rocks, Papa?' Elsie asked her father. 'I think not,' he replied. At that instant, a terrible cracking sound assaulted their ears. The whole boat shuddered, and a man's panicked voice rose high above the screams and cries---'We've struck ground! We'll all be drowned!' As the storms of life continue to break around Elsie Dinsmore Travilla and her family, there are terrible tragedies to endure and times of joy as well. The Travilla children are growing up and facing life-altering decisions.
