your general cussedness of disposition," shouted Mayo into the whirl
of the wind, his anxiety whetting his much-tried temper.

"If you're feeling that way, I don't want you up here."

"I'm feeling worse than you'll ever understand, you stubborn old fool!"

"I let one man call me a fool to-day and I didn't make back talk--but I
know where to draw the line," warned Candage.

"Look here, I propose to start in with you right now, sir, on a basis
you'll understand! I say you're a fool and need a guardian--and from now
on I'm going to make my bigness aboard here! Get out of my way!"

Captain Mayo then emphasized his opinion of Captain Candage by elbowing
the master to one side and leaping out on deck.

"That may be mutiny," stated Mr. Speed through set teeth, checking the
startled exclamation from his helper at the wheel. "But, by the Judas
I-scarrot, it's a Mayo that's doing it! Remember that, Dolph!"

VIII ~ LIKE BUGS UNDER A THIMBLE

Up comes the skipper from down below,
And he looks aloft and he looks alow.
And he looks alow and he looks aloft,
And it's, "Coil up your ropes, there, fore and aft."
With a big Bow-wow!
Tow-row-row!
Fal de rai de, ri do day!
--Boston Shanty.

Captain Mayo strode straight to the men at the wheel. "Give me those
spokes!" he commanded. "I'll take her! Get in your washing, boys!"

"Ay, ay, sir!" assented Mr. Speed, giving the resisting Dolph a violent
shove.

When Captain Candage began to curse, Captain Mayo showed that he had a
voice and vocabulary of his own. He fairly roared down the master of the
_Polly_.

"Now shut up!" he ordered the dumfounded skipper, who faced him, mouth
agape. "This is no time for any more foolishness. It's a case of work
together to save our lives. Down with 'em, boys!"

"That's right," declared the mate. "She don't need much of anything on
her except a double-reefed mitten with the thumb brailed up."

The wind had not attained the velocity of a gale, but it did have an
ugly growl which suggested further violence. Mayo braced himself, ready
to bring the schooner about in order to give the crew an opportunity to
shorten sail.

Captain Candage, deposed as autocrat for the moment, seemed to be
uncertain as to his duties.

Mayo, understanding mariner nature, felt some contrition and was
prompted by saner second thought.

"You'd better take the wheel, Captain Candage. You kn