# XII: Seasick explained — The Secret of the Old Mill

> Chapter companion for The Secret of the Old Mill by Franklin W. Dixon.

## What happens

The Hardy boys are forced at gunpoint by a stranger to continue toward Bayport. As a storm brews, the stranger becomes seasick, and Frank exploits the rough waves to incapacitate him. Joe disarms the man, and after a struggle, Frank knocks him unconscious. They tie him up, but in the fog they lose their bearings and cannot find Bayport.

## Themes in this chapter

### Courage and Heroism

The boys face an armed stranger and a storm, using quick thinking and bravery to overcome the threat.

### Deception and Trust

The stranger deceives the boys about his intentions, and Frank uses a deceptive course change to exploit his seasickness.

## Character check-ins

### Frank Hardy

Frank steers the boat, devises a plan to make the stranger seasick, and ultimately knocks him out.

### Joe Hardy

Joe disarms the stranger and helps tie him up after a physical struggle.

### Mr. Markel

The stranger who pulls a revolver on the boys, claims he needs to catch a train, becomes seasick, and is subdued.

### Sleuth

The Hardy boys' motorboat, which is rocked by waves and later lost in fog.

## Key lines

> The Hardy boys were not prepared for this sudden change of front on the part of the stranger. They gazed incredulously at the revolver, but the coldly determined face of their passenger convinced them that the man meant to use force if necessary.

The brothers were shocked when the stranger pulled a gun, and his stern expression made it clear he would use it.

_The stranger's threat is established._

> Frank bore down on the wheel and swung the motorboat about so that it was lying broadside to the waves.

Frank turned the boat sideways to the waves to worsen the stranger's seasickness.

_Frank's tactic to incapacitate the stranger._

> Joe sprang up. With one bound he reached the man with the gun. The stranger realized what was happening, and struggled to his feet. He raised the weapon, but Joe struck out and dashed the revolver from his hand.

Joe leaped at the seasick man and knocked the gun out of his hand.

_Joe disarms the stranger._

> The heavy cloud of mist that had been gathering over the bay now totally obscured the shores. How far the boat had departed from her course he did not know, and in the fog bank he had but a vague idea of their location.

A thick fog hid the shoreline, leaving Frank uncertain of their position.

_The boys become lost in the fog._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_mill_se/chapters/xii-seasick
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_mill_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_mill_se/chapters