Pagina 351 de 416

"Tell the boys," said Code, "that what sleepin' they do between

here and home will be on their feet, for I want all hands ready

to jump to orders. They can mug-up day and night, but let nobody

get his boots off."

"Ay, ay, sir!" replied Pete involuntarily. This bright-eyed,

firm-mouthed skipper was a different being from the cheerful,

careless boy he had been familiar with for years. There was the

ring of confidence and command in his voice that inspired

respect. "Look out there! Jump for it!"

The head of the Lass went down with a sickening swoop and the

sound of thunder. A great, gray-and-white wall boiled and raced

over her bows. Ellinwood leaped for the weather-rigging and the

other two clutched the wheel as they stood waist-deep in the

surge that roared over the taffrail and to leeward.