"Matter? Why that thar steamer feels kine o' interested in us, an that thar gun means, HEAVE TO."
"Are you going to heave to?"
"Nary heave."
"Why not?"
"Can't come it no how; cos why, I'm hove to, with the anchor hard and fast, ony they can't see that we're anchored."
Suddenly a cry came over the water from a man on the quarter-deck.
"Ship aho-o-o-o-o-oy!"
"Hel-lo-o-o-o-o!"
Such was the informal reply of Captain Corbet.
"Heave to-o-o-o, till I send a boat aboard."