"Well, if you put it that way, of course I'll have to give in," said Captain Brisco. "I'll wait for you after the blow."
"Well, that's a respite, anyhow, but not a very pleasant one," said Alice.
"No," agreed Jack Jepson, who breathed easier now. "We're in for a bad storm, I reckon. We'll have to make everything snug."
"Attention!" once more came the hail from the steamer, and when Captain Brisco answered, he was ordered to follow a certain course by compass, as being safest.
"Then I can pick you up!" the steamer captain cried as the propellers began to churn the water. The British vessel swept away, leaving Jack Jepson still on the schooner, but under threat of arrest.
Then the forerunner of the storm came, filling the sails of the Mary Ellen, and heeling her over until the lee scuppers were awash.
"Make everything snug!" cried Captain Brisco. "It's coming on to blow great guns!"