"Not as long as you had an apple-tree in sight," jeered Mayo, beginning
to lose his temper.
"I don't dare to run in the direction of anything that is solid--we'll
hit it sure, 'n' hell-fire will toast corn bread. We've got to stay to
sea!"
Captain Mayo set his teeth and clenched his fists and took a few turns
up and down the cabin. He looked up into the night through the open
hatch of the companion-way. The pale glimmer of the swinging lamp tossed
a mild flare against the blackness and lighted two faces which were
limned against that pall. Both Oakum Otie and Smut-nosed Dolph were at
the wheel. Their united strength was needed because the schooner was
yawing madly every now and then when the mightier surges of the frothing
sea hoisted her counter, chasing behind her like wild horses. Those
faces, when Mayo looked on them, were very solemn. The two were
crouching like men who were anxious to hide from a savage beast. They
grunted as they struggled with the wheel, trying to hold her up when the
Polly tobogganed with rushes that were almost breath-checking.
Mayo hastened to the girl. "I must have my coat, Miss Candage. I thank
you. It will do now."
She held it open for his arms, as a maid might aid her knight with his
armor. "Are we in danger?" she asked, tremulously.
"I hope not--only it is uncomfortable--and needless," he said, with some
irritation.
"Must I stay down here--alone?"
"I would! It's only a summer blow, Miss Candage. I'm sure we'll be all
right."
Captain Candage had gone on deck, rattling away in his stiff oilskins.
Mayo followed, but the master came down a few steps into the
companionway and intercepted the volunteer, showing a final smolder of
his surliness.
"I want to notify you that I can run my own bo't, sir!"
"Yes, run it with a yeast barometer, a straw bottom, a pinwheel compass,
and your general cussedness of disposition," shouted Mayo into the whirl
of the wind, his anxiety whetting his much-tried temper.
"If you're feeling that way, I don't want you up here."
"I'm feeling worse than you'll ever understand, you stubborn old fool!"
"I let one man call me a fool to-day and I didn't make back talk--but I
know where to draw the line," warned Candage.
"Look here, I propose to start in with you right now, sir, on a basis
you'll understand! I say you're a fool and need a guardian--and from now
on I'm going to make my bigness aboard here! Get out of my way!"