146 . DICK SANDS, THE BOY CAPTAIN. little Jack ; " you could bave beaten the wind ail to no- thing." Dick lauglied,and said, "Nota bad îdea, Jack; ïfeverwe get becalmed, we must get Hercules to blow into the saîls," "I shall be most bappy," retorted the giant, and he tnâated his huge cheeks tîïl he was the very împersonation of Boreaâ himself. " But now to work I " cried Dick ; " we hâve lost our topsail, and we must contrive to hoist another. Net an easy matter, I can tell you." "I dare say we shall man:^ it," replied Actaeon. " We must do our best," saïd Tom. " Can't I help ?" inquired Jack. " Of course you can," answered Dick ; " nin along to the wheel, and assist Bat," Jack strutted off, proud enough of his commission, Under Dick's directions, the negroes commenced their somewhat difficult task. The new topsail, rolled up, had first of ail to bc hoîsted, and then to bc made fast to the yard ; but so adroîtly dîd the crew carry out their orders, that in Icfs than an hour the sail was properly set and flying with a couple of reefs. The foresail and second jib, which had been taken down before the tempest, were hotsted ^^io, and before ten o'clock the " Pilgrim " was running along under the three sails which Dick considered were as much as it was prudent to carry. Even at her présent speed, the schooner, he reckoned, would be within sight of the American shore in about ten days. It was an immense relief to him to find that she was no longer at the mercy of the waves, and when he saw the sails properly set he returncd in good spirits to his post at the helm, not foigettîng to thank the temporary helmsman for his services, nor omitting his acknowledgment to Master Jack, who received the compliment with becoming gravity. Although the clouds continued to travel ail the next day with great rapidity they were very much broken, and altemately the " Pilgrim " was bathed in sunlight and enveloped ïn vapours, which rolled on towards the east As the weather cleared, the hatchways were opened in
