"Are we going to stop for dinner here?" asked Ash, with another wink at Sam.
"That sail keeps flapping, and there is wind enough; but the boat don't seem to go at all," replied the perplexed commander of the Thunderer. "I wonder what's the matter with her?"
"The captain of the vessel ought to know what ails her," added Ash.
"Well, I don't know; and she won't move at all," added the skipper. "Do you know what ails her, Ash Burton?"
"I don't pretend to know any thing at all about it, and I only obey the captain's orders," answered Ash, winking again at his crony forward.
"If you want to tell me any thing about the matter, I am ready to hear you," continued the captain, nonplussed at the situation.
"I don't want to tell you a single word. I know my place better than to do such a thing. It would be nothing less than mutiny for me to presume to tell the commander of the vessel what to do."
"We will let up a little on that," added Tom, with a grin, which was his apology for receding from his position. "Can you tell me what the matter is?"
"I cannot, but I am ready to obey orders," replied Ash.
Tom Topover took hold of the main sheet,—not the bed-sheet this time, but the rope,—and pulled the boom towards him. He had done so in the process of his investigation, rather than to accomplish any movement. But the effect was the same as though he had done it on purpose.