“Take off your things, man,” said Gilmore, as Distin sat down.
“Work the levers steadily, Gil,” said Vane.
“All right, old fellow.”
“I dare say we can manage; thank you,” said Distin, in a low, sarcastic tone, meant for Vane’s ears alone, for, saving the miller, the others were chatting merrily about the success of the trial. “It does not seem to be such a wonderfully difficult piece of performance.”
“It isn’t,” said Vane, frankly. “Only trim the boat well she’s top-heavy.”
“Thank you once more,” said Distin, as he took off jacket and vest, and began to fold them.
“I’ll give her head a push off,” said Vane, taking up the boat-hook and beginning to thrust the boat’s head out so that the fresh engineers could start together.
“Thank you again,” said Distin, sarcastically, as the bows went round, and Vane after sending the prow as far as he could, ran and caught the stern, and drew that gently round till the boat was straight for the river and gliding forward.
“Ready, Dis?” said Gil, who had hold of his lever, and foot on the treadle he had to work.
“One moment,” said Distin, rising in the boat to place his carefully folded clothes behind him, and it was just as Vane gave the boat a final thrust and sent it gliding.