Paul once more turned the head of the boat toward the middle of the
stream, and she swung gaily into the current, where her speed soon
increased greatly.
"We can fix up our mast and hoist our sail now," said Henry. "Since there
is nobody to look, it won't hurt us to make speed for a while."
It required some time and exertion to put the mast in place and then they
unfurled the sail. They were rather clumsy about it from lack of
experience, but the tent cloth filled with the north wind, and "The
Galleon" leaped forward in the water, her broad nose parting the stream
swiftly, while the youthful hearts of Henry and Paul swelled with
exultation.
Shif'less Sol drew in his oars and bestowed upon the sail a look of deep
approval.
"That's the most glorious sight that hez met the eyes o' a tired man in a
year," he said. "Blow, Mr. Wind, blow! an' let me rest."
The others also rested, but Sol and Henry put all their attention upon the
boom and sail. They did not intend to be wrecked by ignorance or any
sudden flaw in the wind. The breeze, however, was steady and strong, and
"The Galleon" continued to move gallantly before it.
They sailed for three or four hours and during the latter part of the time
they coasted along the western bank.
Pages:
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124