they used to whirl wildly about until they dashed
their heads on the ground. This kite would be little better than a mad
elephant without its tail!"

A short tail, made of the strongest cat-gut, was now fixed to the lower
extremity of the kite. It had a bag at the end, to be weighted with
stones as required.

"Now, then, Alf, do you carry the reel away fifty yards or so, and pay
out the line as you go. Make a dozen of the Eskimos hold on with you
till I come and regulate the pull. I must remain here to set it off."

Alf did as he was ordered. When he was far enough out, the Captain and
Leo raised the aerial monster with caution, grasping it by the
shoulders, while Benjy held on to the tail. Their great care was to
keep it flat, so that it presented nothing but its thin head to the
wind, but this was a difficulty, for it kept fluttering as if anxious to
get away, catching a slant of wind underneath now and then, which caused
both Leo and the Captain to stagger.

"Don't hold down the tail, Benjy," cried the Captain, looking anxiously
over his shoulder.

Unfortunately Ben did not hear the "don't." Not only did he hold on
with increased vigour, but he gave the tail an energetic pull downwards.
The result was that the wind got fairly underneath, and the head was
jerked upward. Leo, fearing to tear the silk, let go, and the Captain
was thrown violently off. Benjy alone stood to his guns--or to his
tail--with loyal heroism for a moment, but when he felt himself lifted
off the ground a few inches, a feeling of horror seized him. He let go,
and came down with a whack.

Free at last, the huge kite shot upwards like a rocket, and a terrible
howl from the Eskimo showed that all was not right at their end of the
line. The truth was that none of them were impressed with the
importance of the duty required of them. The sudden strain jerked the
line out of the hands of some, and threw others to the ground, and Alf,
who had for greater security taken a turn of the line round his right
arm, was dragged forward at full racing speed. Indeed he was beginning
to take those tremendous bounds called "giant strides," which were sure
to terminate in his being dragged along the ground.

Captain Vane saw the danger, and was equal to the occasion. There was
little time for thought or action. Another moment and Alf would be off
the beach into the sea.

"Let go! Alf; let go!" cried Leo, in an agony of alarm.

"No, no! hold