All Taut; or, Rigging the boat

by Oliver Optic

"Go yourself, Bent," interposed Tom, who thought the speaker was giving off orders as though he thought he was the captain.

But Nim was not injured by the words of his subordinate, and he went forward. He roused the sleepers, and informed them that they were divided into watches, and Kidd could turn in. He was glad enough to do so, and he followed the mate to the cabin. This apartment was a good-sized room, and contained four berths. They were all furnished; and every thing on board was in place, as though she had been prepared for a long voyage. There was a lantern hanging to a beam, which Bent lighted. Without a moment's delay they turned in, and were soon asleep.

Pell Sankland wished he had been in the starboard-watch, but it was all the same to him. He turned over and went to sleep again, as soon as Kidd had gone below. Jack Dumper had reclined on the cushioned seats of the standing-room, and he was asleep almost as soon as the lookout on the forecastle.

Tom Topover had an imagination, coarse and low as it was; and its wings were not clipped by the secrecy which limited the thoughts of his companions. The Lily passed Split Rock Light, and the lake was wider than below this point. The wind freshened a little, and the schooner increased her speed.

Tom did not feel quite as much at home as he had before. The gloom of the night vexed him, and the water looked black. He had never been a close observer of the lake; but he knew that there were islands between the mouth of Beaver River and Burlington, and it would not be a difficult matter to run over them. He had never sailed at night before, and knew nothing of the position of the lights, except the one on Split Rock Point. He could see another ahead, just as far as he could see at all; but he had forgotten where it was, if he had ever known.

The skipper was troubled, and spoke to Jack Dumper; but the fellow was fast asleep. He stood up, and looked ahead to see if there were any obstructions in his course. He could see nothing, but he lacked confidence. He thought of calling Bent, for he knew more about the lake than any other fellow on board; but he could not ask for help from one who aspired to power. In spite of himself and the perplexity of his position, he began to gape and yawn. He was so sleepy he could hardly keep his eyes open, and something must be done.

Taking Jack Dumper by the collar, he dragged him off the cushions before he could get a word out of him. His watch-mate knew less than the skipper about the lake. He could not tell any thing about the islands. He sent him forward to ask Pell. The lookout was roused with difficulty; and, when he was awake, he was so heavy that he could not remember that there was a single island in the lake. Tom rated both of his watch-mates for going to sleep; and, putting the helm down, he directed them to haul in the sheets. They knew how to do this, and it was done.

The skipper could keep his eyes open no longer, and he dropped asleep once at the wheel. But the shaking of the sails waked him in a minute. He had headed the Lily for Cannon's Point, where she had anchored on Saturday. He called on his watch to haul down the jib and let go the anchor. The wind was light, and he did not lower the other sails. He dismissed the watch, and they all went below. Tom took the remaining berth, and his two companions laid down on a divan. They were asleep as soon as they had stretched themselves out.

When the sun rose, it brought up a breeze with it from the south-west. The sails which had been left in a very unseamanlike condition, began to rattle and bang. They filled, and the schooner forged ahead until she was brought up by her anchor. Then the sails went over, and filled on the other tack; and the racket was repeated. As the wind increased in force, the noise and shaking increased, until even the heavy sleepers in the cabin were disturbed. Bent Fillwing was the first to wake. He rushed to the companion-way, and took a look at things on deck.

The schooner was at anchor, and the jib was hauled down. He returned to the cabin, and saw Tom fast asleep in his berth. The rest of the starboard-watch were snoring on the divan. At this moment the wind filled the fore and main sails, and the yacht heeled over till Bent could hardly stand up.