“Take a minute, but no more.”
“There, it is done. Mr. Dodd, one word. If all should fail, and death be inevitable, tell me so just before we perish, and I shall have something to say to you. Now, I am ready.”
“Jump forward, Jack.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Stand by to jibe the foresail.”
“Ay, ay, sir.”
“See our sweeps all clear.”
“Ay.”
David now handled the main sheet, and at the same time looked earnestly at Lucy, who met his eye with a look of eager attention.
“Starboard a little. That will do. Steady—steady as you go,” As the boat yielded to the helm, Jack gathered in on the sheet, took two turns round the cleat, and eased away till the sail drew its best: so far so good. Both sails were now on the same side of the boat, the wind on her port quarter; but now came the dangerous operation of coming to the wind, in a rough and broken sea, among the eddies of wind and tide so prevalent off headlands. David, with the main sheet in his right hand, directed Lucy with his left as well as his voice.