“A man can't afford to be childish when he is in command of a vessel, sir. You are too old a skipper to deny that.” “I was so mad I didn't stop to smell weather,” admitted the master, bracing himself to meet a fresh list of the heeling _Polly_. He evidently felt that he ought to defend his own sagacity and absolve himself from mariner's culpability. “Very well! Let it go at that! But what are you going to do?” “I can't beat back to Saturday Cove against this wind--not now! She would rack her blamed old butts out.” “Then run her for Lumbo Reach. You can quarter a following sea. She ought to ride fairly easy.” “That's a narrow stab in a night as black as this one is.” “I'll make a cross-bearing for you. Where's your chart?” Mayo exhibited a sailor's alert anxiety to be helpful. “I 'ain't ever needed a chart--not for this coast.” “Then I'll have to guess at it, sir.” He closed his eyes in order to concentrate. “You gave a course of sou'west by sou'. Let's see--it was nine-fifteen when I just looked and we must have logged--” “It ain't no use to stab for such a hole in the wall as Lumbo Reach,” declared Candage in discouraged tones. “But you've got your compass and I can--” “There ain't no depending on my compass within two points and a half.” “Confound it, I can make allowance, sir, if you'll tell me your deviation!” “But it's a card compass and spins so bad in a seaway there ain't no telling, anyway. In my coasting I haven't had to be particular.” “Not as long as you had an apple-tree in sight,” jeered Mayo, beginning to lose his temper. “I don't dare to run in the direction of anything that is solid--we'll hit it sure, 'n' hell-fire will toast corn bread. We've got to stay to sea!” Captain Mayo set his teeth and clenched his fists and took a few turns up and down the cabin. He looked up into the night through the open hatch of the companion-way. The pale glimmer of the swinging lamp tossed a mild flare against the blackness and lighted two faces which were limned against that pall. Both Oakum Otie and Smut-nosed Dolph were at the wheel. Their united strength was needed because the schooner was yawing madly every now and then when the mightier surges of the frothing sea hoisted her counter, chasing behind her like wild horses. Those faces, when Mayo looked on them, were very solemn. The two were crouching like men who were anxious to hide from a savage beast. They grunted as they struggled with the wheel, trying to hold her up when the _Polly_ tobogganed with rushes that were almost breath-checking. Mayo hastened to the girl. “I must have my coat, Miss Candage. I thank you. It will do now.” She held it open for his arms, as a maid might aid her knight with his armor. “Are we in danger?” she asked, tremulously. “I hope not--only it is uncomfortable--and needless,” he said, with some irritation. “Must I stay down here--alone?” “I would! It's only a summer blow, Miss Candage. I'm sure we'll be all right.”