1 *'TISN'T FIT' 35 



take 'ee out therefrom. / shan't.' And when 

 the party has moved out of earshot, If not before, 

 he remarks: 'Fair southerly wind, an' they sort 

 o' people don't come near 'ee. An' when 'tis 

 squally, fit to blow 'ee out of the water, then 

 they'm mazed for to go to sea.' 



It is not good to have landsmen aboard a small 

 open boat in squally weather. They shift about 

 so slowly; they seem to be all legs; and they 

 appreciate neither the urgency of a squall, nor, 

 when wet and alarmed, the stiffness of a well- 

 handled craft. But for a crew that knows its boat 

 and knows the coast, a wind that is squally (within 

 limits) is the most sporting wind of all. Books 

 on boat-sailing usually say, in effect. If not in so 

 many words: 'Keep a sharp look-out to wind- 

 ward for squalls. They are indicated by a darken- 

 ing of the water. When the squall strikes, luff 

 up. If the squall Is strong, ease the sheet as well. 

 And if the squall Is both strong and long, haul 

 down and shorten sail.' 



Benjie's directions are much more precise. *If 

 'tis only cat's-paws,' he says, 'you can often dodge 

 'em. But If the puff comes black on the water, 

 you look to your tiller and luff up; an' when you 

 sees 'em coming green, jest you keep the sheet in 



