At the sound of her name she stepped forth from her cabin.
"The men are out of the ship," I exclaimed. "We are ready to get way upon her. Will you take the wheel at once?"
She was running on to the poop before the request was well out of my mouth.
The boatswain had already let go the starboard main-braces; and as I rushed aft he and the steward were hauling to leeward. I threw the whole weight of my body on the brace, and pulled with the strength of two men.
"Put the wheel to starboard!" I called out; and the girl, having cast off the lashing with marvellous quickness, ran the spokes over.
"By God, she's a wonder!" cried the boatswain, looking at her.
And so was he. The muscles on his bare arms stood up like lumps of iron under the flesh as he strained the heavy brace.
The great yards swung easily; the topsail, top-gallant, and royal yards came round with the mainyard, and swung themselves when the sails filled.
There was no time to gather in the slack of the lee-braces. I ran to windward, belayed the braces, and raised a loud cry.
"They're after us, bo'sun!—they're after us!"