"What a simpleton you are!" exclaimed Belle; and her remarks were often much stronger than Rosabel could approve.
Leopold quietly put the helm up, and let off the sheets, so that the boat did not go within half a mile of the schooner. Half an hour later he put her about, and, with the wind on the quarter, stood in towards High Rock. Being almost before the wind, the Rosabel jumped, leaped, and "yawed" about more than ever; but she took in no more spray over her bow. She seemed to fly on her course, and Charley Redmond expected every moment to feel her go over. He held on with desperation, unnoticed now by the girls. In another half hour the sloop passed into the calmer waters, sheltered by the high cliffs. Charley began to be brave again.
"You feel better—do you, Mr. Redmond?" said the laughing Belle.
"I feel well enough."
"You were afraid."
"Afraid—I? Not a bit of it; at least not for myself," replied the young gentleman. "The boatman don't understand his business. That's the whole of this thing."
"My father says he knows all about a boat; and he would trust him farther than he would most men," added Rosabel. "Didn't he take the Orion into the river in the fog?"
"He didn't manage the yacht: Captain Bounce was on board. I have been in boats before, and I think I can tell when a boatman knows his biz," replied Charley, confidently. "I wasn't at all concerned about myself; but I was afraid he would drown you girls. You were placed in my care—"
"Were we? Indeed! Didn't we invite you to come?" demanded Belle.
"If you did, of course it was my duty, as a gentleman, to look out for you. No; I wasn't a bit concerned about myself; but I was afraid for you."