With his hands grasping the taut and, in one sense, irresponsive
mechanism of a steering-wheel governed by steam, a sailor can "feel" the
movement of his ship, a seaworthy vessel being a living thing, obedient
as a docile horse to the least touch of the rein. But, in the unlikely
event of fortune favoring Courtenay to the extent of giving him an
opportunity to see the coming danger, it was essential that the ship
should have a certain radius of action apart from the direction and force
of the ocean stream. The two sails were helpful, and it was to assure
himself of their efficiency that he put the helm to starboard. The
_Kansas_ obeyed with an answering roll to port, showing clearly that she
was traveling a little faster than the inrushing tide would take her
unaided. He brought her head back to nor'east again, and glanced over
his shoulder at the ship's chronometer. It was a quarter to one. Two
hours must pass before he would discern the first faint streaks of light.
At any rate, if he were spared to greet the dawn, it would be right
ahead, and, as a few seconds might then be of utmost value, that was a
small point in his favor.
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