The men felt
as released from a spell. One idea rushed into their minds suddenly
and became an obsession.

Fish!

CHAPTER XIII

NAT BURNS SHOWS HIS HAND

OFF Cape Sable the fleet was overhauled by a half-dozen schooners
bound the same way, which displayed American flags at their main
trucks as they came up.

"Gloucestermen!" said Nat Burns at the wheel of the _Nettie B._ "Set
balloon jib and stays'l and we'll give 'em a try-out."

The men jumped to the orders, and the _Nettie_ gathered headway as the
American schooners came up. But the Gloucester craft crept up, passed,
and with an ironical dip of their little flags raced on to the Banks.

Cape Sable was not yet out of sight when a topmast on the _Rosan_
broke off short in a sudden squall. Bijonah Tanner immediately laid
her to and set all hands to work stepping his spare spar, as he would
not think of returning to a shipyard. Nat Burns, when he noticed the
accident, laid to in turn and announced his intention of standing by
the _Rosan_ until she was ready to go on.

As these were among the fastest vessels in the fleet, the others
proceeded on their way, and Nat seized the opportunity of the repairs
to pay his _fiancee_ a visit and remain to supper on the _Rosan_.

He found Nellie radiant and more beautiful than he had ever seen her.
Protected from the cool breeze by a frieze overcoat, she stood
bareheaded by the forerigging, her cheeks red, her brown eyes bright
like stars, and her soft brown hair blowing about her face in alluring
wisps.

He took her in a strong embrace. She struggled free after a moment,
her cheeks flooded with color.

"Don't, Nat!" she cried. "Before all the men, too! Please behave
yourself!"

This last a little nervously as she saw the gleam in his eyes.
Suddenly (for her) all the day seemed to have lost its exhilaration.
She was always glad to see Nat, but his insistent use of his _fiance_
rights under all circumstances grated on the natural delicacy that was
hers.

His ardor dampened by this rebuke, the gleam in Nat's eye became one
of ugliness at his humiliation before the crew of the _Rosan_. He
scowled furiously and stood by her side without saying a word. It was
in this unfortunate moment that Nellie seized on the general topic of
the day.

"Guess you'll have to get off and push the _Nettie B._ before you can
beat those Gloucestermen, Nat," she said, teasing him.

"Say, I've heard about all I want to hear about