our weather quarter, with the intent, if possible, of establishing an overlap and a consequent blanket. This leads to a luffing match which is mighty interesting while it lasts. The more we luff the faster we fly, and at last we get so far ahead that we are able to bear away on our course again and still maintain the lead.
Now, what do you think is the next artful move of the skipper of the Ghost? That fellow is as cunning as a wagon-*load of monkeys. Seeing that he cannot pass us to windward, he eases his sheets a little, and, with a great spurt of speed which fairly took our breath away, walks through our lee like lubricated lightning and tries to luff up across our bows and so get the weather gauge.
But it isn't Captain Merlin's watch below exactly. That ancient and tarry one has his eyes wide open and his wits all about him. He also luffs in time to establish an overlap, and so he balks the blanketing dodge of Captain Spike, who is thus hoist with his own petard. This skirmish shows the advantage of getting the lead at the start. Had Ghost crossed the line first we could never have caught her, but as it is we are able to prevent her from passing us. And to the undying fame of our sterling skipper, by the exercise of all the devices known to the sea-jockey, we actually round the mark first!
As we whirl round the raft from whose flagstaff the club burgee is noisily flap-
