'We'll tell them at Brisbane you're coming!'
'Why don't your cook get up more steam?'
These were a few of the taunts flung at the defeated vessel, while the sporting instincts of the Irish emigrants found vent in one deafening 'cock-ee-doo-dle-doo-oo-oo-oo.'
There was no reply to that vociferous challenge. The 'Silver Crown' had proved herself the fastest vessel in the service, and as night closed down the 'Merrie England' disappeared. Careening gracefully to the increasing breeze, the clipper held her close-hauled course.
Every inch of canvas, excepting the studding-sails, was set, and the staysails, or those between the masts and shaped like the jibs, pulled strongly at their sheets.
The temperature had now fallen to a healthy and bracing level. When a safe distance from the South American coast was reached the ship again tacked, and stood toward the south-west.
One afternoon Readyman accosted his young pupil.
'You are coming on well with the knotting and splicing, Master Jack,' he said. 'I now think that you should learn to "box" the compass.'
'That refers to the steering, doesn't it?' Jack inquired.
'Yes, lad, and the sooner you know the card the sooner you may be permitted to steer. Not that the captain would allow that just at present, but if he asked you questions, you could answer correctly, and that would mean a deal.'