“Ay, here's a master excelleth in skill,
An' the master's mate he is not to seek;
An' here's a Bjsin ull do our good will,
An' a ship, d'ye see, lads, as never had leak.
So lustily, lustily, let us sail forth!
Our sails he right trim an' the wind's to the north!”
It was now five o'clock, and as day broke the cutter, with a freshening breeze on her starboard quarter, bore away for the island, now in full view. When about a mile short of it, however, the captain laid the boat's head several points nearer the wind, and shaped his course as though running past it for the mainland, which lay like a low bank of mist on the horizon. In the cuddy Puggles was busy with preparations for breakfast, whilst Don lolled on the rail, watching the shore, and idly trailing one hand in the water.
“Hullo! what's this?” he exclaimed suddenly, examining with interest a fragment of dripping cloth that had caught on his hand. “Jack, come here!”
Jack happened to be forward just then, hanging out his drenched clothes to dry upon an improvised line, but hearing Don's exclamation, he sprang aft. Somehow he was always expecting surprises now.
“Look here,” said Don, rapidly spreading out the soaked cloth upon his knee, “have you ever seen this before?”