eef in your regulator, and drop into your
proper place."

Obedient to orders, Leo pulled the regulator or check-string until the
kite's position was altered so as to present less resistance to the
wind, and dropped astern of the _Faith_, which was the name given by
Benjy to his father's boat, the other two being named respectively the
_Hope_ and the _Charity_.

The prosperous advance did not, however, last very long. Towards
evening the three kites suddenly, and without any previous warning,
began to dive, soar, flutter, and tumble about in a manner that would
have been highly diverting if it had not been dangerous. This no doubt
was the effect of various counter-currents of air into which they had
flown. The order was at once given to haul on the regulators and coil
up the towing lines. It was promptly obeyed, but before a few fathoms
had been coiled in, the kites again became as steady as before, with
this change, however, that they travelled in a north-westerly direction.

The value of the leeboards now became apparent.

These were hinged down the middle so as to fold and become small enough
to stow in the bottom of each boat when not in use. When unfolded and
hung over the side, they presented a surface of resistance to the water
much greater than that of an ordinary boat's keel, so that very little
leeway indeed was made. By means of the steering-oar Captain Vane kept
his boat advancing straight northward, while the kite was puffing in a
north-westerly direction. The kite was thus compelled by the boat also
to travel due north, though of course it did so in a sidelong manner.

Thus far the advance continued prosperously, the pace being but little
checked and the course unaltered, but when, an hour or two later, the
wind again shifted so as to carry the kites further to the west, the
pace became much slower, and the leeway, or drift to leeward,
considerable. Ultimately the wind blew straight to the west, and the
boats ceased to advance. "This won't do, uncle," said Leo, who was
close astern of the _Faith_, "I'm drifting bodily to leeward, and making
no headway at all."

"Down with the tops,--I mean, the kites," shouted the Captain. "Pass
the word to Alf."

Accordingly, the kites were reeled in, the regulators being so pulled
and eased off that they were kept just fluttering without tugging during
the operation. When, however, they passed out of the wind-stratum into
the region of calm which still