"What's the matter?" said I.
Bill Ware had let go the wheel, and the vessel was yawing round. We were in the trough of the sea.
The Captain seemed incapable through astonishment. I jumped to the wheel and got her on her course again.
"That damn fellow fired at me across our bows. Next he'll cut us amidships."
"Shouldn't wonder," said Cynthia, "if he takes the stern for the bow."
She stood looking calmly at the approaching vessel.
"I should think he'd fire straighter than that. Looks as if he had something in him."
Her acceptance of the situation threw the Skipper into a towering rage. He stammered and stuttered. Cynthia paid no attention to his angry words.
"Shall I take the wheel, Uncle?" she asked.
This seemed to bring the Captain to his senses.