A Runaway Brig;

g some craft from which assistance could be procured; but even as he spoke he knew it would not be strange if a week, or even more, elapsed before anything larger than a sea-bird's wing c

far north to sight any of the coastwise traders, and Jim was wel

s and stripes were hoisted as a signal of distress the bright col

n," Harry said hopefully. "I don't suppose any captain wou

any days before the flag would be seen by any one save themselves, he added in a voice which was far from steady, "Now let's

rily. "I'm not sure but we can run this craft as well as a

e gained by admitting such a fact, and he began to give commands in a v

d by fastening a whip to the Sally's bow she was so

Jim said as he wiped the perspiration from his face. "

it now?" W

ws any harder; but it would puzzle a better sailor than I am

ve any advice, and Jim was forced

strip her entirely, for then we couldn't keep steerage-way on. The jib, foretopsail, and mainsail won't be

ll down them big pieces of ca

the halyards to one of the winches, though, we can cle

f all the canvas save what he proposed to keep her under while the weather remained fair. His slight knowledge of seamanship was sufficient to show

of shortening sail was first begun, and soon the Bonita was sailing properly dead before t

g-drawn sigh of relief. > "Now, if it blows very

d, the severe labor having in a certai

mpanions had noted the look of anxiety on his face, he added in a lighter tone, "It seems kind

ter cried passionately. "Nobody knows when we can get

y. "It won't do any good, an' you'll be jes' so much the

believe I'd know how to make even so much a

hat'll be enough. To-morrow I'll show you how t

the mercy of wind and wave, the deserted saloon seemed peopled with things none the less horrible because unseen. Every inanimate object had suddenly taken on a most

ght were gathering. They walked swiftly through into the pantry, selected such

nt calmness, together with the warm breeze, the water sparkling under the rays of the setting sun, and the regular mov

ting a meal composed chiefly of delicacies, and Jim understood that his companions must be prevented from dwelling upon their

as concluded he understood that he had succeeded in banishing homesickness at the expense of an invitation to fear. Even he himself began to be afraid because of his own "yarn," w

ged the unpleasant current of thought by speculating upon the strange sights they might see if it was possible for them to keep the brig on the same cour

o below an' turn in. If the wind dies out much more I'll lash the wheel an' jo

alter replied in a half-whisper. "W

ou'll be cold before mornin' if you d

t particularly horrible ghost story had been told; and very li

lter, an' Harry will come wit

nd half a dozen blankets were spread out on the deck aft, the whole

fore daylight; therefore, as Jim said, "they were pretty well fixed for the night." The wind was decreasing each moment, and, regardle

nsidering that we don't know where we're goin', it can't m

of the possible danger to be incurred by this unseamanlike proceeding, seeing nothing rash or

ccustomed to sleeping on, perhaps; but it was not uncomfo