"Just for safety's sake," he nodded.
The wind was beginning to whistle through the rigging, the water to
foam under the bows of the "Sister Sue," showing that she was getting
under good headway.
"Port one point," bellowed the skipper. Harriet instantly obeyed the
command. Then the gale was upon them with a screech and a roar. A
volume of water that threatened to swamp them rolled toward the stern,
but before it had done so Harriet, acting upon a sharply uttered
command, had swung the sloop about until its nose met the oncoming
rush of wind and water. She gasped for breath as the flood of salt
water enveloped her; yet, bracing her feet, clung firmly to the
wheel, holding the craft on the new course. Afterward Harriet had a
faint recollection of having seen her companions swimming on the green
sea in the little cockpit, Tommy's pale face standing out more
prominently than all the rest.
"We made it," roared the skipper. "Now hold her steady, and she will
ride it out like a duck." He grabbed up a pail and began bailing with
all his might. Jane did likewise, then Miss Elting lent her
assistance. Tommy was clinging to the cabin roof with all her might.
Before the storm struck them they had not thought to light their
masthead and side lights.
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