"Take the wheel, Mr. Jones." I had had it for a minute.
"On deck, everybody!" The men came tumbling up in lively fashion. They could have heard our Skipper on board the other vessel.
"Jump to the lee braces, men! Brace everything sharp up! Get a small pull of the spanker sheet! Haul all the bow lines! Let her luff! Luff, you beggar! Bring her close by the wind!"
The Captain stood, his chin raised in the air, his eyes on the yards.
"Well! The main yard!" The men ceased hauling, and belayed the braces.
"Well! The maintops'l yard. Belay the lee braces!"
"Do you think we'll get ahead of that other ship?" said Cynthia.
I looked critically to windward.
"No, I don't," said I.