“Someone’s stolen the yard-arm,” said Bee. “I shall now compose an ‘Ode to the Coarse Hair.’”
“Oh, brave Coarse Hair! O, gallant craft
As graceful as a lumber raft!
How blithely doth thou skim along!
How—how like—how like——”
“Oh, shut up!” yelled Hal. “For the love of mud, Jack, throw something at him!”
“Ah! Ingratitude! I shall now chant an ‘Ode on Ingratitude.’”
“You do and I’ll come up there and kill you,” said Hal earnestly. “Where are we, Jack?”
“About four miles from the island and a mile or so off Tuckersville. That’s Brig Reef off there. I guess we’d better swing around, Bee, and head her back. Want me to take her?”
“I do not. I am quite capable of swinging her around. In fact, shipmates, I think I’m getting to be something of a navigator. Hereafter I shall sign my name ‘Beaman Mansfield, A. B.,’ meaning able seaman.”