The smoothness of the water was a great advantage to them, for had there been any sea their progress would have been much slower.
An hour or more passed away, when Bill exclaimed, “Here comes the wind, and right aft, too! It’s not very strong yet, but it will freshen soon, I hope. Stand by, Jack, to hoist the sail!”
“Ay, ay!” answered Jack, taking hold of the halyards and feeling that all was clear.
“Hand me the sheet; and now hoist away,” said Bill.
Jack, with right good will, hauled away at the halyards, and the sail was soon set.
The raft felt the influence of the breeze and glided on at an increased speed. It was cheery to hear the water rippling against the bows.
“We must take care not to capsize the raft if the wind increases much,” observed Bill. “Keep the halyards ready to let go in a moment; the sail is full large for our craft, and it would not take long to capsize it.”
“Trust me for that,” said Jack; “I have no wish to be drowned, and I feel wonderfully jolly at the thought of having got away. Are you steering a right course, Bill? It seems to me that the sail must be between you and the polar star.”
“No; I can see it directly over the yard when I stand up and keep well aft,” answered Bill. “The wind, too, won’t let us go in any other direction.”
“How about the tide?” asked Jack.