, the Defender led the way to the second
stretch.

Sharp work was done in handling the spinnaker, for just one minute after
rounding this big balloon was set and pulling.

This was clever work, but the Spray sailors did fully as as well, for they
had their spinnaker on just as fast.

"Great Caesar!" ejaculated our hero, suddenly, "Look!"

Ashore the sky grew black and ominous, foreboding a coming squall.

The weather certainly looked bad, and it turned out worse than it looked.

Instead of wind, rain came on, and soon all on board the yachts were
soaked.

"What do you think of that, Jerry?" asked Harry.

"We're going to catch it and no mistake," replied the young oarsman.

All hands on board saw the coming squall and looked at the captain for
orders, but none came.

The yachts, favored by a strengthening breeze, were pushed on to meet that
which was sure to come, and half-way over on the third stretch it came on
hard and struck the Defender.

Bang! slash! went the sails and the gallant yacht swept well over on her
side.

Again all looked to the captain, but he shook his head.

"Reckon he wants to see what she can stand," whispered Jerry.

He was right. The captain, at the wheel, held the yacht up to it, and held
her true.

On and on they went, the sky growing blacker and blacker as they
proceeded.

Suddenly Jerry heard a crack like a pistol shot, and looking forward saw
that the standing part of the bridle to the jib had parted. The seizing
pulled out and away went the sheets.

The sail snapped and cracked loudly, and in a second more it carried away
the club on the clew of the jib.

"There she goes!" yelled somebody.

Hardly had he uttered these words when the big sail split in half and hung
flapping in the wind.

It was now utterly useless to the racing yacht.

A new sail must be set at once, but in that high wind who would bring the
old sail in?

"I'll volunteer!" cried Jerry, as he sprang forward, and Harry and Frank
Lee came close on his heels.

The crew hung back for a moment, and in that time Jerry reached the flying
sail.

He caught one end just as an extra heavy puff of wind came on, and in a
twinkle he was dragged half overboard.

But now Harry and Frank Lee sprang to the rescue, and then the regular
crew came forward. All worked like beavers, and soon the torn sail was
taken off.

Six minutes later a new sail was in place, and on went the gallant
Defender as speedily as bef