Ten minutes later, he ordered the fog-horn to be blown, and a reply came off from the light-house on the point, at the mouth of the river. When the Orion was clear of the point, he directed the yacht to be close-hauled on the starboard tack, in order to beat into the river. The first reach brought her to the high cliff near the hotel, and after a "short leg," he fetched the anchorage off the wharf.
"Let go your jib-halyards!" shouted Leopold. "Hard down the helm! Let go the anchor!"
The Orion swung round to her cable, and the pilot went aft.
CHAPTER XII.
AN EXTENSIVE ARRIVAL.
During the run of the Orion, from the time that Leopold assumed the charge of her till the anchor buried itself in the mud of the river, the owner and the passengers remained in the cabin. They were all city people, and to them the fog was even more disagreeable than a heavy rain. It was cold and penetrating, and the pleasure-seekers found it impossible to remain on deck. They were actually shivering with cold, and perhaps for the first time in their lives realized what a blessing the sunshine is. But Captain Bounce was on deck, and, standing on the forecastle, he nervously watched the progress of the yacht. Doubtless he felt belittled at finding himself placed under the orders of a mere boy, even though the pilot was as polite as a French dancing-master.
Captain Bounce cannot see the Town. Page [218].