On and on they went, the sky growing blacker and blacker as they proceeded.
Suddenly Jerry heard a crack like a pistol shot, and looking forward saw that the standing part of the bridle to the jib had parted. The seizing pulled out and away went the sheets.
The sail snapped and cracked loudly, and in a second more it carried away the club on the clew of the jib.
“There she goes!” yelled somebody.
Hardly had he uttered these words when the big sail split in half and hung flapping in the wind.
It was now utterly useless to the racing yacht.
A new sail must be set at once, but in that high wind who would bring the old sail in?
“I’ll volunteer!” cried Jerry, as he sprang forward, and Harry and Frank Lee came close on his heels.
The crew hung back for a moment, and in that time Jerry reached the flying sail.
He caught one end just as an extra heavy puff of wind came on, and in a twinkle he was dragged half overboard.