Then came the task of reefing the mainsail, which the boys accomplished successfully, though not without a hard struggle, for the wind increased in violence every moment. Holding the boat, which now carried only a few square yards of canvas, well up into the wind, they pounded along with the gunwale under the rushing water. She rode a little easier and the boys settled down for a breathing spell.
"There is nothing to be done now but to let her run," said Harry, as he gripped the helm hard to meet a sudden plunge into a head sea.
"But we are heading straight out to sea," said Bert, with a tone of worriment in his voice.
"Can't be helped. This wind has not reached its limit yet, and I would not dare to try to take her in before it. It might take the mast out of her."
"It's getting dark, too," said Mason, nervously.
"That can't be helped either."
"Can't you ease her off for the Massachusetts shore?"
"I tell you, Bert, there is nothing to be done with safety but to keep her right up into the eye of the wind."
"But this blow may last for a day or two."
"Now look here, Bert, you and I have been caught in one or two hard blows and we have pulled out all right together. If you think you know more about handling this boat than I do, I will turn the helm over to you and you can have your own way."