"Our clothes were taken from the shore while we were in the water, and, as we need them very much, I will thank you to return them," continued Dory, repeating his request in what some of his crew considered a very "gingerly" tone.
"Don't give them up!" yelled a crowd from both boats.
"You can hear what our fellows say to your request," replied Wash in a more pliable manner than he had yet assumed.
"I speak to you as the coxswain in charge of the boat, and I am waiting for your reply," added Dory. "The clothes belong to us, and I think you can have no doubt that they ought to be returned to the owners."
"Why don't you talk up to him, Wash?" shouted a student in the bow of the Dasher.
"We can't all talk at once, and you fellows keep up such a jaw that I can't get in a word edgeways," retorted the coxswain of the Dasher petulantly, for he evidently felt the force of Dory's hint that he ought to speak for his crew. "If I am to be the coxswain of the boat, I don't want every fellow to interfere with me, and take the words out of my mouth."
"You have got us into scrapes enough for one day," replied a rebellious oarsman in the middle of the boat.
"You want to crawl out like a lame chicken!" exclaimed another.
"I was elected coxswain; but you won't obey orders, or even treat me decently," answered Wash. "I have had enough of it, and I resign my office, to take effect at the present moment."