d put it in his hands.

"Them's the jib halliards," he explained. "Haul on 'em quick and hard
as you can. If we can h'ist the jib we can get some steerage way on her,
maybe. Haul! haul till you can't haul no more. Then hang on till I come
back and make fast."

He rushed back to the wheel. The tiller ropes were new, and he could
trust them, fortunately. From the cabin hatchway emerged Mrs. Bascom
bearing the lighted lantern.

"Good!" snapped Seth. "Now we can see what we're doin' and, if we show
a glim, maybe we won't run down no more dories. You go for'ard and--No,
you take this wheel and hold it just as 'tis. JUST as 'tis; understand?
I'll be back in a jiffy. What in thunder's the matter with that foolhead
at the jib?"

He seized the lantern and rushed to the bow. Bennie D. had dropped the
halliard and was leaning over the rail screaming for help.

Seth hoisted the jib himself, made it fast, and then turned his
attention to the mutinous hand.

"Shut up!" he bellowed, catching him by the arm. "Who do you cal'late's
goin' to hear you? Shut up! You come with me. I want you to pump. The
old craft would do well enough if she was tight, but she's more'n likely
takin' water like a sieve. You come and pump."

But Bennie had no notion of pumping. With a jerk he tore loose from the
lightkeeper's grasp and ran to the stern, where he continued his howls
for help.

Seth was at his heels.

"Stop that, I tell you," he commanded angrily. "It don't do no good. If
you don't want to go to the bottom you'll work that pump. Don't be such
a clown."

The frantic genius paid no attention. His sister-in-law left the wheel
and put her hand on his shoulder. "Please, Bennie," she pleaded. "Please
do as he says. He knows, and--"

Bennie D. pushed her backward with savage force. "Mind your own
business," he yelled with an oath. "'Twas your foolishness got me into
this." Then, leaning over the rail, he called shrilly, "He--lp! I'm
drowning! Help!"

Mrs. Bascom staggered back against the wheel, which Seth had seized the
instant she deserted it. "Oh!" she said, "you hurt me."

Her husband freed an arm and put it about her. "Are you much hurt,
Emeline?" he asked sharply.

"No--o. No, Seth. I--I guess I ain't really hurt at all."

"Good! Then you take this wheel and hold her just so. That's it. AND
DON'T YOU DROP IT AGAIN. I'll attend to this feller."

His wiry fingers locked themselves in Bennie D.'s shirt collar.

"I ordered you