“What, without Mr Leigh?” said the gunner; “that’s a likely tale, that is. Here, come on lads, and let’s find him. Ahoy!”
“Ahoy!” came back from the rocks.
“There he is,” said one of the men.
“No, my lads, that’s only the ecker,” said Billy Waters. “Hark ye—Ahoy!”
“Ahoy!” came back directly.
“Hoy—hoy—hoy–y–y!” shouted the gunner again.
“Hoy—hoy–y–y!” came back.
“Mis’ Leigh, ahoy!” roared the gunner.
“Leigh—hoy!” was the response.
“Told you so, my lads; he ar’n’t about here. Let’s go further on. Now then, Tom Tully, we must have off some o’ that there tail if it’s so heavy it keeps you anchored down. Get up, will you?”