"This will not bring us there," added the ex-skipper.
"Any port in a storm," said the gallant helmsman. "If I let the boat fall off enough to lay a course for Friedrichshafen, she will fill in the twinkling of an eye."
"I don't see why she should," added the young man, evidently not satisfied with the action of the new skipper.
"I think you ought to see it, after you have half filled the boat yourself on that tack. Don't you understand that it would throw the boat into the trough of the sea, and make her roll? Look at that steamer. I am not sure that she will not be obliged to throw her head up into it, and lay too for a while."
"Pray do just as you think best, sir," interposed the lady.
"That is what I intend to do, miss. Really there is only one thing you can do when it blows like this—keep her head up to it."
Again it was necessary for Shuffles to use all his skill and strength, as the heavy gusts were repeated, to prevent the boat from filling. Easing off the sheet, and crowding her up into the wind, the boat weathered another shock, and then had another brief respite. The spray dashed in the fierce blast like hailstones into the face and eyes of the intrepid captain, and he was nearly blinded by the charge. His hands were full, holding the tiller and the sheet. Securing the latter with his knee, he tried to take his handkerchief from his pocket, to wipe the water from his eyes. But a jerk of the boat compelled him to grasp the helm suddenly, and the wind carried away the handkerchief like a feather.
"My eyes are full of spray," said he, without even glancing at the flight of the lost article.
"You have lost your handkerchief," replied the young lady, tenderly. "Pray take mine."
"I am obliged to use both hands. May I trouble you to wipe the water from my eyes? I can hardly see, I am so blinded."