"I was not looking around. I was just trying to look around. If I'd been looking around I wouldn't have fallen on my back, would I?"
The men had ceased rowing, at command of the coxswain. Some of them were laughing at Hickey's predicament, while others were grumbling.
"Nice kind of a lubber to put aboard the gig!" growled a voice.
"Silence!" commanded the coxswain. "I'm commanding this boat just now. Hickey, sit up there!"
Sam did so, at the same time making a wry face.
"Are you able to go on? If not, we'll return to the ship and get a man who is."
Sam straightened up instantly.
"I'm all right, sir. I'll never go fishing for crabs in a gig again, sir."
The crew roared with laughter, but the red-headed boy was as solemn as an owl.
Once more they fell to their oars. Hickey redeemed himself during the rest of the practice. He caught no more crabs, but pulled a steady, quick stroke that brought nods of approval from the coxswain.