"Is that right, sir?" she asked, her face slightly flushed from the
exertion.
"Great boomers, but you have muscle in your arms!" wondered the
skipper. "Now, please hold this wheel just where it is; I'll take in
the anchor. The man went back home last night. Don't need him with all
these strong-arm ladies on board. We'll be under way in a few minutes
now. I--Look out there!"
A sudden though slight puff of wind struck the mainsail, sending the
sloop ahead directly toward the shore. But without waiting for orders
Harriet sprang to the wheel, pointing the bow of the sloop, that had
heeled dangerously, right toward the wind that was blowing in from the
sea.
"Fine!" shouted the captain, shipping the anchor and scrambling back
to the cockpit as the sloop settled down on an even keel again, the
squall drumming on the ropes and stays. "You've sailed a boat before,
young lady."
"Nothing more than a canoe and a house boat."
"You've got the instinct, just the same. I'll have you sailing this
'Sister Sue' before you're a week older, and sailing it as well as I
could sail it myself. Where do you wish to go!" turning inquiringly to
Mrs. Livingston.
"Up and down the coast, not far out."
The skipper tacked back and forth a couple of times to clear the bay,
then laid his course diagonally away from the coast.
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