creased force of the wind, soon
showed that they had gained the open sea; while the atmosphere, relieved
of the dark shadows of the mountain, seemed lighter and thinner than in
shore.

"We 're to make for the islands, you say, sir?"

"Yes. What distance are they off?"

"About eighteen miles. Two hours, if the wind lasts, and we can bear
it."

"And could the yawl stand this?" said Harcourt, as a heavy sea struck
the bow, and came in a cataract over them.

"Better than ourselves, if she was manned. Luff! luff!--that's it!" And
as the boat turned up to wind, sheets of spray and foam flew over her.
"Master Charles hasn't his equal for steerin', if he wasn't alone. Keep
her there!--now! steady, sir!"

"Here's a squall coming," cried Harcourt; "I hear it hissing."

Down went the peak, but scarcely in time, for the wind, catching the
sail, laid the boat gunwale under. After a struggle, she righted, but
with nearly one-third of her filled with water.

"I'd take in a reef, or two reefs," said the man; "but if she could
n't rise to the say, she 'll fill and go down. We must carry on, at all
events."

"So say I. It's no time to shorten sail, with such a sea running."

The boat now flew through the water, the sea itself impelling her, as
with every sudden gust the waves struck the stern.

"She's a brave craft," said Harcourt, as she rose lightly over the great
waves, and plunged down again into the trough of the sea; "but if we
ever get to land again, I'll have combings round her to keep her dryer."

"Here it comes!--here it comes, sir!"

Nor were the words well out, when, like a thunder-clap, the wind struck
the sail, and bent the mast over like a whip. For an instant it seemed
as if she were going down by the prow; but she righted again, and,
shivering in every plank, held on her way.

"That 's as much as she could do," said the sailor; "and I would not
like to ax her to do more."

"I agree with you," said Harcourt, secretly stealing his feet back again
into his shoes, which he had just kicked off.

"It's freshening it is every minute," said the man; "and I'm not sure
that we could make the islands if it lasts."

"Well,--what then?"

"There's nothing for it but to be blown out to say," said he, calmly,
as, having filled his tobacco-pipe, he struck a light and began to
smoke.

"The very thing I was wishing for," said Harcourt, touching his cigar to
the bright ashes. "How she labors! Do you think she can st