"That is just what I was thinking," added Scott. "What is more, I am going to turn out the second reef, and let her go it with one."
"It won't be an easy thing to do with the wind on the beam, sir," suggested Pitts. "If you spill the sail, sir, the boom will run out so as to make a hard job of it, sir."
"I was thinking of that," replied the captain, as he went forward, and, bending down over the front of the pilot-house, yelled to Louis at the wheel to head the steamer up into the wind.
"Ay, ay, sir!" screamed the helmsman; and in a moment more the Maud was pitching into the head sea, and the reefed foresail was flapping in the gale.
The second reef was turned out in a minute or two, and the order was sent down by Morris for Louis to come up to the course again. The sheet remained as before, and the sail filled as the Maud came about. As it was done gradually there was no shock as before, and the steamer soon came to her bearings. She heeled over more than before, but not much, and her motion was decidedly steadier.
At four o'clock Louis rang eight bells, and the watches were to be changed. It was the turn of the starboard watch, and the captain's trick at the wheel. He directed Felix, his watch-mate, to keep the lookout on the promenade deck where he could see the sail and keep it in trim, for he was sailor enough to do this, though he was not an able seaman. The rest of the party descended to their places below.
"Well, Louis, what do you think of it now?" asked the captain, as he went into the pilot-house on the lee side.
"I think you have greatly improved the situation, Captain Scott."
"I feel perfectly happy, my boy," replied Scott, who appeared to be considerably exhilarated as he took the wheel from the hands of Louis. "I seem to know where I am now better than I did before. The engine may break down now if it is so disposed, and I can snap my finger in its face, for we have sail enough to keep the Maud on the top of the water if anything happens to the machinery."
"You were certainly born to be a sailor, Captain," replied Louis, as he seated himself on the divan.