“We’ve got to take in a reef,” cried Merry. “Get ready, all hands. Now--work lively!” Lively work they made of it, but the catboat shipped a sea before the reefing was over and she was brought into the wind again. The boys fell to bailing, and away went the _Jolly Sport_ like a racer. The wind continued to rise, and Frank found Harry’s boat had her faults. “She’s no wind-jammer,” he said. “Can’t hold her close, and she will fall off, best I can do.” “If we’d paid some attention to the old fellow who warned us there would be a blow,” regretted Harry. “No use to cry over that,” came sharply from Diamond. “We’ve got to make New Haven harbor.” Browning shivered. “Don’t know why I was fool enough to come,” he grumbled. “Might be safe and warm in my room now.” It was five o’clock, but was so dark that it seemed much later. Rattleton, for all of his nervousness, cracked several jokes. Diamond made an effort to look unconcerned, and succeeded very well. Hodge was grim and silent. The wind was fitful. Now and then Frank would cry: “Ease her off.” Then they would let out the sail quickly, and the cat’s-paw would sweep over them. “How is your old sheet, Rattles?” asked Diamond. “Will she hold?” “Can’t say,” confessed Harry. “She isn’t new.” “How are the halyards?” “Strong enough so I have been up the mast with them.” “They ought to be all right.” Sizz--boom! A big wave struck the bow, the spray flew in a thick cloud, and they were drenched to the skin. “Awfully jolly!” grinned Harry. “Yes, more fun than a barrel of monkeys!” said Jack, sarcastically. “That’s nothing but the beginning,” assured Frank, consolingly. “It’ll be a regular picnic before New Haven is reached.” “How nice!” groaned Browning. They took turns at bailing till all were weary and exhausted. Diamond’s temper was beginning to rise, while Hodge was holding his down with an effort. “Don’t anybody ever again ask me to go sailing on an April day!” snapped the Virginian. Darkness came down without the moon they desired. “I wish we were back on the island,” said Bart. “Can’t we run back there now?” asked Harry. Frank looked away over the water and then shook his head. “It’s more than even we’d run straight out to the open sea,” he said. Frank took full command, and his sharp orders were obeyed unhesitatingly, showing they all had confidence in him. The _Jolly Sport_ lurched and staggered. She fell off amazingly. Frank gave orders that another reef be taken, and the boys sprang to obey, Browning making a show of haste. Frank put two men on the sheet when the reef had been made, a laborious task, for their fingers were numb with the cold. The boat shook ominously. But under the double reef she rode better. All at once a cry broke from Bart’s lips. “Luff! luff!” he screamed. “Hard a-port, or we’re goners!”