But now Harry and Frank Lee sprang to the rescue, and then the regular crew came forward. All worked like beavers, and soon the torn sail was taken off.
Six minutes later a new sail was in place, and on went the gallant Defender as speedily as before.
She carried herself well, and nothing was lost in that blow but the jib.
In the meanwhile the Spray could not stand the strain and ran on behind with all sails reefed.
“A great yacht,” said those on the other boats. And the Defender stock went away up.
The captain praised Jerry for the quickness with which he had taken hold of the torn sail and steadied it.
“A loose sail on board a racing craft is a dangerous thing,” he said, “for there is no telling how much damage it will do.”
The squall was of short duration, not lasting over seven minutes, if as long. It gathered strength as it worked off shore, and some of the pleasure boats received the full benefit of it.
As the Defender got within two miles of the finishing line the breeze fell off.
Still the gallant craft held her own.