Part 2 (1/2)

CHAPTER III.

A SMALL CREW.

As they searched for the flag-locker Jim did his best to keep hope alive in the hearts of his companions by talking as if it was impossible they could run many hours longer without meeting some craft from which a.s.sistance 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 came within their range of vision. He had been in the Mary Walker on the fis.h.i.+ng banks when it was known there were many vessels in the vicinity, and yet not a sail was seen for ten days. While the wind held in the same direction the Bonita would be too far north to sight any of the coastwise traders, and Jim was well aware that it might be a long while before they could summon aid.

The flag-locker was found after a short search, and when the stars and stripes were hoisted as a signal of distress the bright colors appeared to afford Harry and Walter no slight amount of relief.

”If a vessel comes within sight that must attract attention,” Harry said hopefully. ”I don't suppose any captain would pa.s.s us by without at least asking what was the matter.”

”It would be a pretty mean sailor who wouldn't try to help us,” Jim replied; and then, as the thought came that it might be many 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 try to hoist the Sally inboard.

She'll be knocked to pieces if we tow her, an' there's no knowin' how soon she may be needed.”

”Tell us what to do and we'll obey orders,” Harry said cheerily. ”I'm not sure but we can run this craft as well as a full crew could, so long as you know enough to be captain.”

Jim was thoroughly well aware of his own ignorance; but no good could be gained by admitting such a fact, and he began to give commands in a very loud tone, as if the noise would drive away his dismal forebodings.

There was no lack of blocks which could be used, and by fastening a whip to the Sally's bow she was soon hauled in over the rail minus her cargo of water.

”If we stay here long enough we must calk the seams,” Jim said as he wiped the perspiration from his face. ”It won't be a hard job, an' we may need her pretty bad.”

”Why not do it now?” Walter asked.

”Because we ought to got some of this canvas in before it blows any harder; but it would puzzle a better sailor than I am to know how it's to be done unless we leave everything loose.”

Neither Harry nor Walter could give any advice, and Jim was forced to work out the problem unaided.

”I'll tell you what it is,” he said, after studying the matter in silence several moments. ”It won't do to strip her entirely, for then we couldn't keep steerage-way on. The jib, foretopsail, and mainsail won't be more'n enough to steady her, and if the wind don't come any stronger, I reckon we can take care of the helm.”

”Do you mean that we're to pull down them big pieces of canvas?” Walter asked in dismay.

”If I did mean that, it couldn't be done. By carrying the halyards to one of the winches, though, we can clew them up after awhile; but it'll be kinder hard work.”

Then Jim set about the task which at first sight appeared to be impossible, and, incredible though it may seem, had before dark stripped the brig of all the canvas save what he proposed to keep her under while the weather remained fair. His slight knowledge of seamans.h.i.+p was sufficient to show him how work should be performed, and with the winch as a very material aid the huge squares of canvas were clewed up after rather a clumsy fas.h.i.+on.

When this had been done Jim went to the helm, which he lashed in one position when the task of shortening sail was first begun, and soon the Bonita was sailing properly dead before the wind, but in a lazy manner, as if sulking because deprived of so many of her white wings.

”That's a good job well over,” he said with a long-drawn sigh of relief. ”Now, if it blows very hard, we can soon get rid of the mainsail and jib.”

”Where are we heading for?” Harry asked, the severe labor having in a certain measure dulled the grief in his heart.

”I don't know--straight across the ocean I reckon,” Jim replied; and then observing that his companions had noted the look of anxiety on his face, he added in a lighter tone, ”It seems kinder funny that we three boys should be sailin' this craft like as if she was our own--don't it?”

”I wish we'd never seen her nor the Sally Walker,” Walter cried pa.s.sionately. ”n.o.body knows when we can get back, and our parents will think we meant to run away!”

”Now, don't get to feelin' bad ag'in,” Jim said soothingly. ”It won't do any good, an' you'll be jes' so much the worse off. We've got to have supper, an' who'll be cook?”