Читать книгу The Captain from Connecticut онлайн

61 страница из 86

"Mr. Hubbard!" he bellowed down to the deck.

"Sir!"

"Put the helm up. Bring her round on the other tack."

"Aye aye, sir."

Far below him he could hear the orders called, and he could just hear the bustle of the men hurrying to the braces. The Delaware rose momentarily to an even keel beneath him, and then heeled again. The darkness round him was filled with the creaking of ropes as the yards came round. As he looked forward he saw the starboard foretopmast studdingsail blot out the last of the red patch of sky. The foretopsail followed round.

"Keep her at that!" he roared.

"Aye aye, sir!"

Now the Delaware had the wind nearly abeam, while the brig to leeward had been close hauled. The courses of the two ships were sharply convergent. Two hours, two hours and a half, perhaps, before they met--always provided, that is, that the brig did not alter course. But although Peabody strained his eyes peering into the night he could see nothing of her at all. He was about to descend, when he remembered the good services of the lookout.