Mark loosened the foresail, that it might not offer any resistance to the wind, and so check the boat from turning.
Bevis pushed the tiller over still harder, and as she had been going at a good pace the impetus made her answer the rudder better.
“She’s coming,” shouted Mark. “Jam the rudder.”
The rudder was jammed, but when the bow seemed just about to face the wind, and another foot would have enabled Mark to tighten the foresail, and let it draw her quite round like a lever, she lost all forward motion.
“O! dear!” said Bevis, stamping with vexation. The boat stopped a moment, and then slowly fell back. “Pull tight,” said Bevis, meaning refasten the foresheet. Mark did so, and the boat began to move ahead again.
“We’re very close,” said Mark almost directly.
“Tack,” said Bevis. “Let go.”
He tried to run her up into the wind again, but this time, having less weigh or impetus, she did not come nearly so far round, but began to pay off, or fall back directly, and, before Mark could get a scull out, bumped heavily against the shore, which was stony there.
“Let’s row her head round,” said Mark.
“Sculls ought not to be used,” said Bevis. “It’s lubberly.”