Pagina 156 di 416

The men jumped to the orders, and the Nettie gathered headway as

the American schooners came up. But the Gloucester craft crept

up, passed, and with an ironical dip of their little flags raced

on to the Banks.

Cape Sable was not yet out of sight when a topmast on the Rosan

broke off short in a sudden squall. Bijonah Tanner immediately

laid her to and set all hands to work stepping his spare spar, as

he would not think of returning to a shipyard. Nat Burns, when he

noticed the accident, laid to in turn and announced his intention

of standing by the Rosan until she was ready to go on.

As these were among the fastest vessels in the fleet, the others

proceeded on their way, and Nat seized the opportunity of the

repairs to pay his fiancee a visit and remain to supper on the

Rosan.