im to leave the small boat in deeper
water. However, he could take out no more than five passengers at a
time. Mrs. Livingston told him that they did not care to sail far that
morning. It was her purpose to give each of the girls in the camp a
sail that day. Several trips, therefore, would be necessary.

"If that's the case, we can take a bigger load on the sloop," replied
the captain. "Pile 'em in."

"Will it be perfectly safe?" questioned the Chief Guardian.

"You can't sink her. The reason I didn't want a big crowd was that I
thought you would be going out a long way. We're likely to meet heavy
weather several miles outside. In that case a skipper wants plenty of
room to move about. Sometimes quick work is necessary, and--"

"I don't suppose that being a commodore will prevent my assisting in
sailing the boat, will it?" asked Harriet smilingly.

The skipper looked her over critically.

"I reckon we can make a sailor of you. Know anything about sailing?"

"No, sir."

"Yeth, she doeth," interjected Grace. "She wath the captain of the
'Red Rover' latht year."

"And sunk it," chuckled Crazy Jane.

"If you will tell me what to do, I shall be glad to start, Captain."

"All right. Get hold of that halyard and see if you can haul the sail
up," he answered, grinning mischievously. Captain Billy had not the
least idea that she possessed the strength to raise the sail. But
Harriet surprised him. She grasped the rope, and, though so light that
the weight of the sail nearly pulled her off her feet, she hauled it
slowly but steadily to the peak, then, throwing all her weight into
one hand and arm, made the halyard fast to a cleat on the deck.

"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 eve