willin' to be led around by the nose jist like that big feller out
there. He is always swimmin' around, but he gits nowhere. He soon
comes to the end of his rope, and yet he keeps on swimmin' the same as
before."

The day this conversation took place, the wind was blowing in strong
from the northwest, and the captain was making ready for a trip to his
nets. Soon the boat was speeding up the river, with her sail full
spread to the stiff breeze. Having reached the cove and taken a number
of fish from the nets, they began to beat homeward. By this time the
wind had increased in strength, and as they ran backwards and forwards
across the river, they were continually washed by the waves which raced
to meet them.

"Isn't this great!" Rod exclaimed, as he nestled in the cock-pit, and
held on firmly lest he should be swept overboard. "I was never out in
such a breeze as this before."

The captain made no reply, though he gave a quick glance at the boy's
animated face. If Rod had been frightened, the old seaman would have
been terribly disappointed. As for himself he was in his element, and
he was reminded of the many times he had faced rough weather out on the
mighty deep. The howling of the wind, and the dashing waves made the
sweetest of music in his ears, and he was delighted that the boy, on
whom he had set his affections, should feel as he did.

They had just tacked and begun beating to the left, when the captain,
glancing down the river, gave a start of surprise, and pointed with his
finger to a small yacht in mid-stream, which was having a hard time in
the wind.