"I don't think it is safe to sail near the bluffs, for the wind is flawy and snappish there," replied the skipper. "I don't know but I shall have to put a reef in the mainsail, for the gusts come heavier than I thought for."
As he spoke he hauled out a lot of rope from the locker under the tiller. He began to fuss over the lines to find a reef pendant. He took his knife from his pocket, and cut one of them off the right length. He laid the knife down by his side on the seat, and then returned all the ropes, except the one he had cut off, to the locker.
"I may not want to reef, but it is best to be ready," continued the skipper, shifting the tiller a couple of notches on the comb. "Do you think those barges will come up with us, Mad?"
"I should judge that they would not," replied the leader.
"The Beech Hillers are putting in some strong strokes," added Bissell.
"So are our boats," replied Mad.
"They are getting up quite a smart race. Will you fellows bet on your own boats?" asked the skipper, with a cheerful smile.
"Of course we won't while the Dasher is four hands short of her complement," said Jeff Monroe.
"But your boats are doing their prettiest, and I shouldn't wonder if they got the best of it in the end. Don't you see that the Dasher is gaining on the Marian?" continued Bissell, with a great deal of earnestness.