The end of the chain had rattled out of the hawse-pipe and under the tension of the line to the quarter the big ship was paying off to the southward, while the men slowly hauled the foreyard around. When it finally filled and was steadied, and the ship brought up as high as she would lay, the last of the spring-line slipped out of Limerick's hands and went overboard. And now the big first mate, who had quietly watched the whole operation from the wheel-box, approached and studied the compass. "The wind is hauling all the time," he said through his swollen jaws, "and we'll have a fair wind to the open sea. But who is that man? He kept her off the beach. She'd 'a' hit in a few minutes more." "He's captain of the ship," I answered. But Jim was not acting like a captain now. He ran to the monkey-rail at the side of the house, and partly climbed over to descend. Then he went back and resumed his position at the mizzenmast. Then he made another attempt, succeeded, and, gaining the alley, sped forward to the steps and went down them. A groan from Jack, followed by his mother's cry of sympathy, apprised me of the reason. Jack was recovering consciousness, and after assuring myself that he was in his right mind, I left him, still dazed and stupid, in the care of his mother, and leisurely followed Jim, finding him just where I expected to--sound asleep in the stateroom berth. I wakened him, and he sat up, blinking at me. "Lordy, what a dream, doctor. Mother and Jack--oh, I forget," he said sleepily. "And something hit me on the head--here." He felt of the spot on his head where Jack had been struck. "Come out on deck, Jim," I said, and he followed me. "How do you feel now, Jim?" "Fine, doctor, but where's this boat going, I'd like to know?" "Feel afraid of the water, now?" "Not a bit. Why, it can't hurt anyone, can it--unless you fall into it?" "Afraid of those men forward, Jim?" "No, I'm not." His face took on a look of defiance. "Why, doctor, I could lick most o' that crowd, couldn't I? I feel different, somehow. But that dream, doctor, about mother and Jack. That dream meant something. Where are they, and how are they?" "Come below, Jim."