Under the other lad's directions, Joe flattened down the jib-sheet, and, going into the cabin, let down a foot or so of centerboard.
The excitement of the struggle had chased all unpleasant thoughts from his mind.

Patterning after the other boy, he had retained his coolness.
He had executed his orders without fumbling, and at the same time without undue slowness.

Together they had exerted their puny strength in the face of violent nature, and together they had outwitted her.
He came back to where his companion stood at the tiller steering, and he felt proud of him and of himself; and when he read the unspoken praise in 'Frisco Kid's eyes he blushed like a girl at her first compliment.

But the next instant the thought flashed across him that this boy was a thief, a common thief; and he instinctively recoiled.

His whole life had been sheltered from the harsher things of the world.