On board the schooner things looked desolate and discouraging. As the
cloud arose and the fierce gusts of wind began to ruffle the waters of
the bay, causing the Sweepstakes to careen wildly under her heavy
canvas, Captain Newcombe felt his courage gradually oozing out at the
ends of his fingers. It was a fine thing to be master of a vessel in
calm weather, but, when a storm was brewing, the case was different.

"Skipper,", said the chief, "hadn't we better be doin' something? I
think it would be a good plan to take them jibs and top-sails in before
they take themselves out."

Tom cast a frightened glance around him--at the sails, the foam-capped
waves, the angry clouds, and in a weak voice declared that it was
utterly impossible for him to manage the vessel any longer.

"There isn't one man in a hundred who could endure what I have been
through since last night," said he, dolefully. "A fellow can't keep up
long with no sleep, and nothing but crackers and cheese to eat. I'm
sick, Sam, and you or Xury will have to take command."

"Now look a here, cap'n," exclaimed the chief, who became alarmed at the
prospect of being obliged to assume so much responsibility, "can't you
stand it just fur to-night, or fur an hour or two?"

"No, nor for a single minute," drawled Tom. "I'm awful sick. I turn the
command over to you. Carry as much or as little sail as you please, and
if any thing serious happens, call me. I'm done for." And Sam thought he
was, for he let go the rail and sank down in a heap upon the deck.

"Well, if this yere don't beat all the world," exclaimed the governor,
in dismay, hurrying aft to consult with Xury. "Here's the cap'n clean
pegged out, a storm comin' up, every rag spread, them spooneys close at
our heels, an' only three of us left to make things safe, an' to defend
the vessel if we are ketched. What's to be done? Can you be cap'n?"

"I reckon," replied the mate. "If you'll stand at the wheel, an' be
ready to spill the sails when I give the word, me an' Friday will take
'em in."

"Be lively about it," said the governor, glancing uneasily toward the
yacht, which, being kept in better trim than the schooner, was riding
the waves as gracefully as ever, and gaining rapidly. "Them spooneys
aint wastin' no time."

In twenty minutes the top-sails and jibs had been taken in and stowed
away, the fore and main-sails close reefed, and the Sweepstakes began to
make better weather of it, but the work had d