“Now the great winds shoreward blow;
        Now the salt tides seaward flow;
        Now the wild white horses play,
        Champ and chafe and toss in the spray.”

Miss Tavish was in the wheel-house, and had taken the wheel.  This clever girl knew her right hand from her left, instantly, without having to stop and think and look at her rings, and she knew what port and starboard meant, as orders, and exactly how to meet a wave with a turn of the wheel.

“I say, Captain Delancy,” she cried out, “the steamer is about due.  Let’s go down and meet her, and race in.”

“All right,” replied Jack.  “We can run round her three times and then beat her in.”

The steamer’s smoke was seen at that instant, and the yacht was headed for it.  The wind was a little fresher, but the tight little craft took the waves like a duck, and all on board enjoyed the excitement of the change, except the Major, who said he didn’t mind, but he didn’t believe the steamer needed any escort.

By the time the steamer was reached the sun was going down in a band of clouds.  There was no gale, but the wind increased in occasional puffs of spite, and the waves were getting up.  The skipper took the wheel to turn the yacht in a circle to her homeward course.  As this operation created strange motions, and did not interest the Major, he said he would go below and reflect.

In turning, the yacht came round on the seaward side of the steamer, but far behind.  But the little craft speedily showed her breeding and overhauled her big rival, and began to forge ahead.  The little group on the yacht waved their handkerchiefs as if in good-by, and the passengers on the steamer cheered.  As the wind was every moment increasing, the skipper sheered away to allow plenty of sea-room between the boats.  The race appeared to be over.

“It’s a pity,” said Miss Tavish.

“Let’s go round her,” said Jack; “eh, skipper?”

“If you like, sir,” responded the skipper.  “She can do it.”

The yacht was well ahead, but the change in the direction brought the vessels nearer together.  But there was no danger.  The speed they were going would easily bring her round away ahead of the steamer.

But just then something happened.  The yacht would not answer to her helm.  The wheel flew around without resistance.  The wind, hauled now into the east, struck her with violence and drove her sideways.  The little thing was like a chip on the sea.  The rudder-chain had broken.  The yacht seemed to fly towards the long, hulking steamer.  The danger was seen there, and her helm was put hard down, and her nose began to turn towards the shore.  But it was too late.  It seemed all over in an instant.  The yacht dashed bow on to the side of the steamer, quivered an instant, and then dropped away.  At the same moment the steamer slowed down and began to turn to assist the wounded.