"Are you afraid, Charley?" laughed Belle.
"Of course I'm not afraid—ugh!" he muttered, as the sloop heeled over till the waves threatened to invade the standing-room.
"You are afraid Charley."
"I'm not afraid; but I don't think it is safe. I've been in boats enough to know that this isn't the way to do the thing. Why don't you lower one of the sails, Leopold?"
"What for?" asked the skipper quietly.
"You will upset the boat!" gasped Charley.
"No danger of that."
"But I know there is: I have been in boats before," protested Charley.
"If the ladies wish me to reef the mainsail, I will do so," said Leopold.
"O, no; don't, don't, Leopold!" cried Belle. "I think this is just lovely."