is a great deal worse than I had any idea of," answered Thomas, who
had proceeded far enough to be willing to yield a point. "For my part, I
am willing to be landed here;" and he pointed to a little cove on the
Tenean shore.

"You don't say you have got enough of it, Tom," said Paul, with a smile.

"Enough of it! I want to get to the picnic some time to-day. I hope you
don't think I am frightened."

"Of course I don't; you daresn't be frightened after all your big talk
before we came out."

"I'll give up on that, Paul. You are the spunkiest fellow with a boat I
ever saw. I am willing to say that and stick to it."

"That's saying a good deal."

"But you mustn't suppose I am afraid."

"Of course not; you're only in a hurry to get to the picnic; that's the
idea."

"That's just it, and if you will put me ashore at the cove, I will be
just as much obliged to you as though you carried me all the way to the
Point."

"Let's not back out, Tom."

"I don't back out; and I'm sure you don't."

"It looks a little like backing out to give up the chase."

"You ought to be satisfied, if I am."

"I shan't be satisfied till I land you at the Point."

"Come, come, Paul, don't carry the joke too far. The sea is getting
heavier and heavier, and the wind blows a young hurricane."

"O, well, if you really want to back out, I'm willing."

"I don't want to do anything of the sort. If you think I can't stand it
as long as you can, you are mistaken," replied Thomas, proudly; and
taking the dipper, he continued to bale out the water, whistling an air
to indicate his indifference to the perils that surrounded them.

"Put her through, then; we shan't be much longer if we don't get
swamped."

The boat was now standing out from the shore, and while Thomas was still
busy, whistling off his fears, a violent gust of wind struck the sail,
causing the boat to heel over so far that she drank up several buckets
of water, and would have filled if the sprit had not broken, thus
removing the pressure.

"Come, Paul, I have got enough of this," cried Thomas, uneasily.

"I don't think you will be able to get any more of it, for the sprit has
snapped, and we can't carry sail any longer," replied Paul, apparently
unmoved by the accident. "Bale her out as fast as you can, and I will
take an oar, and keep her head up to the sea".

"What will you do now?" asked Thomas, whose courage was sorely tried by
the perilous situation of the boat.

"