Billy, an' as you may have to sit a long spell at the tiller
soon, try to go to sleep agin. You'll need it, my boy."

In spite of himself, Gaff's tone contained so much pathos that Billy was
roused by it, and would not again try to sleep.

"Do let me pull an oar, daddy," he said earnestly.

"Not yet, lad, not yet. In a short time I will if the breeze don't get
stiffer."

"Why don't _he_ pull a bit, daddy?" inquired Billy pointing with a frown
at the figure that lay crouched up in the bow of the boat.

Just then a wave sent a wash of spray inboard and drenched the skipper,
who rose up and cursed the sea.

"You'd better bale it out than curse it," said Gaff sternly; for he felt
that if there was to be anything attempted he must conquer his desperate
companion.

The man drew his knife. Gaff, noticing the movement, leaped up, and
catching hold of the tiller, which Billy handed to him with alacrity,
faced his opponent.

"Now, Graddy," he said, in the tone of a man who has thoroughly made up
his mind, "we'll settle this question right off. One of us must submit.
If fair means won't do, foul shall be used. You _may_ be bigger than
me, but I don't think ye're stronger: leastwise ye'll ha' to prove it.
Now, then, pitch that knife overboard."

Instead of obeying, Graddy hurled it with all his force into Gaff's
chest. Fortunately the handle and not the point struck him, else had
the struggle been brief and decisive. As it was, the captain followed
up his assault with a rush at his opponent, who met him with a heavy
blow from the tiller, which the other received on his left arm, and both
men closed in a deadly struggle. The little boat swayed about
violently, and the curling seas came over her edge so frequently that
Billy began to fear they would swamp in a few moments. He therefore
seized the baling-dish, and began to bale for his life while the men
fought.

Gaff soon proved to be the better man, for he finally flung the captain
over the middle thwart and almost broke his back.

"Now, do ye give in?" he shouted fiercely, as he compressed the other's
throat with both hands.

Graddy gasped that he did; so Gaff allowed him to rise, and bade him
take the baling-dish from the boy and set to work without delay.

The wretched man was so thoroughly cowed that he thereafter yielded
instant obedience to his companion.

The wind was blowing furiously by this time, and the waves were running
high, so that it requi