When they rounded the last intervening point and the open ocean was
disclosed, the first object that met their eyes was the Wanderer with
all sails set, about two miles in the offing. She lay motionless, for
the calm was complete.
"Well," remarked Duff, "we're all right if we pass the bar. There
would be no trouble about that with a lighter load. We can try it as
we are, for our supplies will be needed; but if necessary--over they
go."
They were already nearing the first line of breakers, when the mate
detected a second sail to the left and much nearer the shore.
This stranger was a full rigged ship hardly a mile away and to the
southward, while the Wanderer was almost due west from the inlet.
"She's a sailing corvette, or I'm much mistaken," said the mate,
"but--mind yourselves, men! Pull with a will."
The first line of breakers was passed without trouble. The second was
rougher, and the men strained at the oars to give the yawl as much
headway as possible.
The last wave came "quartering" and threw a hatful of water into
Ralph's face, whereat Mr. Duff laughed cheerily.
"One ducking!" he cried. "But now comes the tug of war. Jump her,
boys! Jump her, I say!"
The third and last line was longer, larger, and in every way more
formidable, owing to the sudden deepening of the water. Both Ben and
Ralph were rather exhausted from their previous exertions, and Duff
yelled himself hoarse in his repeated entreaties to:
"Give way! G-g-give wa-a-a-y I tell you! Don't you see--we're gone?
Keep her nose up! K-e-e-p it u-u-u-p-p! Sharks and sawfish, men! are
you going to let her broach? Now then! All together, a-n-d--over
she--good heavens!"
A barrel or two of brine hurled over the starboard quarter choked off
the mate's adjurations.
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