The Topovers in the Gildrock gave a desperate yell, satisfied that they should be floundering in the angry waters the next instant. The Goldwing fell off a trifle at this moment, in obedience to the helm. Dory had fixed the line in his left hand on the spur of the light boathook, which he extended as far as he could reach. As he did so, one of the covers from the cook-stove, which he had secured to the bight between his hands, dropped into the water.
Thus arranged, the line formed a snare in the shape of a triangle, the stove-cover sinking the lower angle a couple of feet under water. As the skipper held the snare, the Gildrock ran her bow directly into it. The bight of the line was a slip-noose, and as the schooner drove ahead, it tightened up.
As the Goldwing went ahead, Dory paid out the line rapidly, for a single jerk would have upset the barge. The Topovers in the boat were so terrified that they did not comprehend what Dory was about.
"Hard down your helm, Matt!" shouted Dory, with tremendous energy, when half his line had run out, and the bow of the schooner was abreast of the stern of the Gildrock.
Oscar Chester had been stationed at the mainsheet, and the instant Matt put the helm down he hauled in the sheet with all his might. The effect of these orders, as they were sharply executed, was to cause the Goldwing to circle around the stern of the barge, and come up close-hauled on her starboard side.
"Now we are all right! It's a success!" cried Dory, with all the enthusiasm of a person who has won a great victory.
But even his own crew did not understand what he was about, and had not the least idea of the working of his plan. All that had been done had been accomplished in a few seconds, and the rapid working of the schooner absorbed all their attention.
When the Goldwing came about under the stern of the barge, Dory rushed aft with the end of his line in his hand, and made it fast to a cleat. The rope had sunk in the water, and passed under the keel of the Gildrock.
"Touch her up, Matt! Lively, if you please!" said Dory, as he secured the line in his hand.
But the schooner had not yet got under full speed since she came about, and when the mainsail shook she had lost about all her headway. But she was not permitted to come to. Dory took the helm now, which Matt was very willing to have him do.