er queerly, "here is a
business point arisen. This sea's been running up for the last two
days, and now it's too high for comfort. The glass is falling, the wind
is breezing up, and I won't say but what there's dirt in it. If I lay
her to, we may have to ride out a gale of wind, and drift God knows
where--on these French Frigate Shoals, for instance. If I keep her as
she goes, we'll make that island to-morrow afternoon, and have the lee
of it to lie under, if we can't make out to run in. The point you have
to figure on, is whether you'll take the big chances of that Captain
Trent making the place before you, or take the risk of something
happening. I'm to run this ship to your satisfaction," he added, with an
ugly sneer. "Well, here's a point for the supercargo."

"Captain," I returned, with my heart in my mouth, "risk is better than
certain failure."

"Life is all risk, Mr. Dodd," he remarked. "But there's one thing: it's
now or never; in half an hour Archdeacon Gabriel couldn't lay her to, if
he came downstairs on purpose."

"All right," said I; "let's run."

"Run goes," said he; and with that he fell to breakfast, and passed half
an hour in stowing away pie, and devoutly wishing himself back in San
Francisco.

When we came on deck again, he took the wheel from Johnson--it appears
they could trust none among the hands--and I stood close beside him,
feeling safe in this proximity, and tasting a fearful joy from our
surroundings and the consciousness of my decision. The breeze had
already risen, and as it tore over our heads, it uttered at times a long
hooting note that sent my heart into my boots. The sea pursued us
without remission, leaping to the assault of the low rail. The
quarter-deck was all awash, and we must close the companion doors.

"And all this, if you please, for Mr. Pinkerton's dollars!" the captain
suddenly exclaimed. "There's many a fine fellow gone under, Mr. Dodd,
because of drivers like your friend. What do they care for a ship or
two? Insured, I guess. What do they care for sailors' lives alongside
of a few thousand dollars? What they want is speed between ports, and a
damned fool of a captain that'll drive a ship under as I'm doing this
one. You can put in the morning, asking why I do it."

I sheered off to another part of the vessel as fast as civility
permitted. This was not at all the talk that I desired, nor was the
train of reflection which it started anyway welcome. Here I was, runn