Billy changed front.
"Who's skipper here?" he demanded.
"You is, sir."
"Is you takin' orders or isn't you?"
The effect of this was immediate. The boy stopped his clamour.
"I is, sir," said he.
"Then stand by!"
"Aye, sir!"—a sob and a sigh.
It was to be bitter cold work in the wind and water. Billy Topsail completed his preparations before he began to strip. He lashed the end of the seal-leather line round the boy's waist and put the club in his hand.