“‘Both,’ said the Skipper. ‘I wanted to get to the other side, and I didn’t want to go around all those islands. It’s ridiculous, with that good passage through, to go miles out of the way because of that Waterspout—and I hadn’t the time to spend.’
“‘I don’t see that you’ve saved very much,’ said the Captain.
“‘I should have—if I’d gone through. It’s all very well for you; but every ship is not as fast as the Jane Ellen. Anyway, I made up my mind to try, and I got halfway through before that fellow caught me. But then he did smash me up like kingdom-come! and I had to box-haul her, and come back.’
“‘What do you want to do now?’ asked the Captain.
“‘I hoped a ship would come along and let me have some extra spars to make the Reindeer ship-shape; and then—I’ve got a Plan;’ and he stopped, and looked very mysterious and important.
“‘Are you going in again?’ asked Taffy, hoping he would say Yes—and he did.
“‘Yes, I am. And you’re going too.’
“‘I don’t know whether I am, or not,’ said the Captain. ‘What for?’
“‘I want to bottle up that Waterspout, and clear that passage so ships can go through there safely.’
“‘You don’t want to do much!’ said the Captain. ‘Have you thought how you could do it?’