"To be sure," and he moved aside. "You take hold here. She doesn't kick much. Steady now!"
"Oh!" she pouted, "I can manage the old wheel well enough," and she crowded in beside him.
She had rolled up the sleeves of his storm jacket, and her little brown hands gripped the wheelspokes in a most capable fashion. Ralph stepped back and allowed her to take his place. He grew cool again and grinned to himself. She certainly was one plucky girl!
He had no idea that he had overlooked a chance that perhaps would never be offered to him again.
He got a bucket from below and then coiled down a length of halyard and held the end of it in readiness as Lorna brought the Fenique rubbing alongside the wallowing dory.
Ralph went over the side, carrying the rope and bucket with him and stood knee deep in water in the dory's bottom. He bent on the line and gestured to the girl to bear off so as to drag the dory astern of the motor-boat. Then he went to work to bail out with the bucket.
This was a hard fight at first, for the waves were still boisterous. Every now and then one broke over the dory and came near to filling it as full as it was when Ralph got aboard.
But the young fellow persevered. If he possessed one characteristic stronger than another, it was stubbornness. At this juncture it proved to be a virtue. He plied the bucket steadily, and at last lowered the water in the dory so that he could afford to take breath.
"Good boy, Ralphie," shouted Lorna, down wind, and he looked up to see her elfin face all asmile again for him. He waved his hand cheerily. "Shall I tune her up a little?" she asked.
"Little at a time, Kid! That's the boy!"