134 TEAVEL, ADVENTUEE, AND SPOET. 



doubt a squall was brewing. Judging from experi- 

 ence, I fancied that it would be only of rain ; and, 

 at any rate, it seemed not yet to be so near as to 

 require us to take in canvas. So we held on every- 

 thing, and I ran forward to look out for the reef, and 

 left Hamilton at the tiller. I at no time particularly 

 liked to have him for a steersman, but now I had no 

 choice, for he would not by any means have done for 

 a look-out man. 



"ISTow, Hamilton," I said, "look out; keep her as 

 she goes a bit, and have one eye to windward, for 

 there is a regular sneezer brewing, and we shall have 

 it hot and strong in a jiffey." 



As I ran forward, I looked at him to see whether 

 he appeared to be at all in a stew, but was rejoiced 

 to find hun cool as a cucumber. He stepped con- 

 fidently to his post, and looked out to windward like 

 a regular sea-dog. 



"We had now come to that point of our course 

 where the wind ceased to be right astern. The head of 

 the coast makes it necessary to beat up a bit, in order 

 to weather the headland. We were perfectly able to 

 do this, and to have even a point or two to spare, 

 only we should want a more skilful helmsman than 

 Hamilton. However, we were just clearing the reef, 

 and in a minute or so more I should be able to return 

 to my post. Meanwhile, I kept her as she was a bit, 

 till I should be able to put her round myself. 



I had been for some minutes too much occupied 



