Part 2 (1/2)
”Good!” exclaimed Paul, with a hearty laugh.
”What is the matter now?” demanded Thomas.
”The idea of striking a rock on the weather side!” laughed Paul.
”You are right; I didn't think.”
The boat now came into comparatively still water, under the lee of Long Island, as the outermost of three small islets, extending out in a line from the mouth of the river, was called. The island was a ma.s.s of rocks, rising from ten to twenty feet above high water mark, and as they got behind it, they were sheltered from the force of the wind. In this situation, Paul attempted to tack; but the old boat would not come round in stays, for she had partially lost her headway, and the tide was against her.
”That's bad,” said Thomas; ”we shall lose all we have gained by this.”
”Take an oar and heave her head round, then,” replied Paul.
”Ay, ay;” and Thomas took the oar, and brought her head up to the wind.
There was a coolness and self-possession in the demeanor of Paul which filled his companion with confidence as well as admiration, though he was in no humor to acknowledge it. If Thomas was not actually terrified by the sweeping billows and the rude pitching of the boat, it was only because he felt that he was in the charge of a skilful boatman. The old craft soon caught the wind on the other tack, and drove out among the big waves again.
Paul's mother was still on the beach watching the uneasy movements of the boat, and in momentary expectation that she would be swamped. Her earnest gestures were disregarded by her son, and she was prepared for the worst fate that could befall him. Paul tried to keep his eyes away from her; but he could not help stealing an occasional glance at her, though his conscience reproached him for the pain and terror he was giving her. But he felt that his courage and his reputation as a boatman were at stake, and that, if he failed to achieve the purpose before him, he would be the derision of Thomas Nettle and all his companions.
For two hours the boat labored heavily in the rough sea, and had accomplished about two thirds of the distance to Tenean Point. The young adventurers were now in the worst place in the bay, and the boat was exposed to the full force of the wind and the sea, from which they had before been partially protected by an island.
”What do you think, Paul?” said Thomas, suspending for a moment the work of baling, in which he had been engaged for the last hour.
”What do I think?” replied Paul, coolly, as he wiped the spray from his eyes; ”I think it blows tremendous hard.”
”So do I.”
”Then we shan't quarrel about that, anyhow.”
”Do you think you can make the Point?”
”Certainly I do; I'm in for it, at any rate.”
”We don't make much headway.”
”That's true.”
”I shan't get to the picnic in any kind of season,” continued Thomas, crouching down under the weather rail, as a huge wave gave the boat a slap that made her quiver like a leaf.
”I can't help that, Tom; I didn't want you to come this way.”
”Don't you think we had better run for the sh.o.r.e, and give it up?”
”I don't think any such thing. If the old boat will only hold together long enough, I'll put you ash.o.r.e on Tenean Point.”
”I'm afraid she won't hold together much longer.”
”No matter; we will go it while she does hold together. Can you swim, Tom?”
”You know very well I can swim, Paul.”