Presently he returned, and the painter of the race boat was made fast to a cleat on the quarter of the Isabel. Cyd was much mystified by the operation, for he could not see why they should take the Edith with them. He was very anxious to argue the point with Dandy, who, it seemed to him, had never before in his life been so sharp and ill-natured. But the skipper was too much excited by the tremendous issues of the hour to be in a mood for argument.
By this time Dandy had cast loose the sails, and together they manned the halyards, and hoisted the mainsail. It was large, and the fresh breeze caused it to flap and beat with a fearful noise, which added not a little to the excitement of the skipper.
"Stand by the moorings, Cyd, and have your jib halyards ready!" said Dandy, as he took his place at the tiller.
"Hossifus! I'm dar, Massa Dandy."
"You needn't 'massa' me, Cyd. Stop!"
"Which'll I do, Massa Dandy, stand by de moorings, or stop?" demanded Cyd, whose ivories were now distinctly visible in the gloom of the night.
"Neither; jump into the bateau, and bring the wherry alongside," replied Dandy.
"Gossifus! What you gwine to do wid de wherry?"
"Mind me, or go on shore!" said the skipper, sternly.
"I'se gwine. Golly! dat makes two boats apiece all round, for sartin."