thered himself up after his defeat, and stood upon his
legs again. He was mortified at the result of his attempt to release the
officer, and improve his situation in the boat. He had thought of using
the tiller as a weapon, and now he was sorry he had not done so.
Doubtless it was better for him that he had not; for that would only
have compelled his assailant to use greater violence, and he might have
been seriously injured, for Pearl seemed to be desperate enough to do
any thing.

"Now pick up your sheet, Dory," said Pearl, as he went to the helm, and
took the tiller in his hand.

Dory did not feel so much interest in the sailing of the boat as he had
a short time before, and he took no notice of the order of his
conqueror. He looked at Pearl, and saw him deposit the key of the
padlock in the depths of his trousers-pocket, which he buttoned up, as
though he expected an attempt would be made to take it from him. The new
skipper had kept the helm up until all the sails but the jib were
drawing full.

"I think I told you to pick up that jib-sheet, Dory Dornwood," said
Pearl, in what he doubtless intended for an impressive manner.

Dory had certainly exhibited a considerable degree of prudence under the
trying circumstances in which he was placed; but now his stock of that
virtue appeared to be exhausted, for he took no notice of the order
repeated to him, and the impressiveness of Pearl was wasted. Dory was
disgusted at his overwhelming defeat, and he had not philosophy enough
to submit to it with good grace. In fact, he was downright mad at the
treatment he had received from his last passenger.

He was looking about him for the means of resistance. The long tiller
was in the cabin, and he had neglected to take the small one from the
rudder-head. As the situation was now, he was disposed to fight; but,
unprovided with any sort of a weapon, he realized that he was no match
for the villain who had taken possession of the boat.

He looked at the blinds in the cabin-doors. He could put his foot
through them; but, if he did, the aperture was not large enough for the
officer to crawl through. He began to wonder that Peppers did not say or
do something.

"If you don't pick up that jib-sheet, Dory Dornwood, it will be all the
worse for you," said Pearl, not so impressively as before; for he had
found that manner did not operate with the late skipper.

"If you are going to sail the boat, pick it up yourself," replied Dor