Then, when back on the sloop, Judd skillfully passed a stout rope through the strong jaws of the cetacean, and brought him close up under the stern of the vessel and alongside of the yawl; then, with both in tow, the Sea Witch rapidly filled away for the opposite side of the bay.
The wind had already increased to such violence that before the passage across was fully made it was found necessary to take a large reef in the mainsail of the sloop; and the waves were rolling so high that, but for the fact that the fish-trap was directly under the lee of Canonicut Island, it could not have been attended to.
Indeed, Mr. Boyd thought it wiser to remain in the sloop while the lads drew and reset the net from the yawl, and when their task was finished, and they had returned to the Sea Witch, he remarked:
"You told me I would see all the rough weather I cared to before our return home, Judd, and I freely confess you were right. I shall be glad when we reach the island."
"That will be in a very short time, now," responded Judd, as he assisted his chum in getting the sloop ready for her home trip. "We shan't have to carry anything but our jib, either."
The speed with which the sloop darted off before the heavy wind warranted his assertion. Their course led them near enough to Plum Beach Point for them to see that Mr. Benton had filled his flatboat with sand, and was now trying to work the craft off around the point.
He had one of his huge sweeps braced against the side of the boat, and thus pushed it off shore, while he, step by step, worked it along toward the extreme end of the sandy beach. His object was clear. If he could only get the craft around the point, it was evidently his intention to embark upon it and attempt to run up the bay.
The rapidity with which the Sea Witch was running soon carried her occupants out of sight of the man and brought them near their island home. Fortunately their wharf was at the northwest end of the island, and thus in a measure sheltered from the high sea, if not from the sweep of the wind, and they made their landing in safety.
The sloop was moored in the most sheltered nook the island afforded, the fish, porpoise and yawl were brought on shore, and all was in readiness for the trio to seek the shelter of the house. Bracing themselves against the strong, piercing wind, they started along the path that led to their dwelling, when a sudden call from Judd, who was in the rear, caused his companions to stop.
"Look!" the lad exclaimed; "Benton has actually got his boat around the point, and is now driving helplessly before the gale!"