Overcome with a new terror, the dude collapsed. He was hatless, the curl was out of his mustache and hair, and altogether he looked very much “washed out.”
He sank down near the bow, and it was well that he did so, for just then came an extra heavy blast of the gale.
“Hold hard, every one!” yelled Jerry. “Perhaps you ladies had better go into the cabin,” he added.
“I am to take the tiller, you know,” said Dora Vincent. “Well, then, let the others go. We can work along better with a clear deck.”
So while Dora went aft, the others crawled into the cabin, or cuddy. Under pretense of seeing after their comfort, Conant crawled after them.
“Now I will tell you just how to move the tiller,” said Jerry to Dora Vincent.
“All right, I am ready,” responded the brave girl.
Now that she had Jerry with her, and knowing he was well acquainted with boats, she felt that she was safe, no matter how bad the storm might prove itself.
After giving the girl some instructions Jerry hoisted the main-sail a few feet only. The sloop then swung around and moved in a beating way against the storm.
Jerry wished to learn what had become of his companions. He was fearful that they had been drowned.