“Will you belay your jaw?” roared David, in a fury that Lucy did not comprehend at the time. “What a set of tarnation babblers in one little boat.”
“I won't speak any more, Mr. Dodd; I won't speak.”
“Bless your heart, it isn't you I meant. 'Twould be hard if a lady might not put her word in. But a man is different. I do love to see a man belay his jaw, and wait for orders, and then do his duty; hoist the mainsel, you!”
“Ay, ay, sir.”
“Shake out a couple of reefs.”
“Ay, ay, sir.”
And the lateen spread both her great wings like an albatross, and leaped and plunged, and flew before the mighty gale.
CHAPTER XVIII.
“THIS is nice. The boat does not upset or tumble as it did. It only courtesies and plunges. I like it.”