In one way this was a good thing.

In another it wa'n't, because we was well out in deep water, and when the wind did come it was likely to come harder'n we needed.
However, there wa'n't nothin' to do but wait and hope for the best, as the feller said when his wife's mother was sick.
"It was gettin' pretty well along toward the edge of the evenin' when I smelt the wind a-comin'.

It came in puffs at fust, and every puff was healthier than the one previous.

Inside of ten minutes it was blowin' hard, and the seas were beginnin' to kick up.

I got up my jury rig--the oar and the spray shield--and took the helm.