"
"Take a minute, but no more."
"There, it is done. Mr. Dodd, one word. If all should fail, and death
be inevitable, tell me so just before we perish, and I shall have
something to say to you. Now, I am ready."
"Jump forward, Jack."
"Yes, sir."
"Stand by to jibe the foresail."
"Ay, ay, sir."
"See our sweeps all clear."
"Ay."
David now handled the main sheet, and at the same time looked
earnestly at Lucy, who met his eye with a look of eager attention.
"Starboard a little. That will do. Steady--steady as you go," As the
boat yielded to the helm, Jack gathered in on the sheet, took two
turns round the cleat, and eased away till the sail drew its best: so
far so good. Both sails were now on the same side of the boat, the
wind on her port quarter; but now came the dangerous operation of
coming to the wind, in a rough and broken sea, among the eddies of
wind and tide so prevalent off headlands. David, with the main sheet
in his right hand, directed Lucy with his left as well as his voice.
"Starboard the helm--starboard yet--now meet her--so!" and, as she
rounded to Jack and he kept hauling the sheets aft, and the boat, her
course and trim altered, darted among the breakers like a brave man
attacking danger. After the first plunge she went up and down like a
pickax, coming down almost where she went up; but she held her course,
with the waves roaring round her like a pack of hell-hounds.
More than half the terrible strip was passed.
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