298 ALONGSHORE v 



coat — with some pride, I fancied — and pulling his 

 jersey down around him against the cold, 'though 

 us be on the bridge, us hain't starch-collar hellers, 

 after that.' 



And being on the bridge did not make so 

 much difference as it probably would have done 

 In an English ship. There seemed to be more 

 camaraderie aboard the Marie-Marthe, The man 

 at the wheel smoked cigarettes and chatted. The 

 captain strolled about his ship, lending a hand 

 where it was wanted. He was distinguishable 

 only by his look of solidness without agility — the 

 figure of a man who has done hard work In his 

 day and finished with it, — and by his Icelandic 

 dog's-hair mittens, which, without fingers, but 

 with three fin-like thumbs each, reminded one of 

 dog's-fishes' heads. Who was mate of the Marie- 

 Marthe we never discovered; the work went on 

 but so few commands were given. 



Outside harbour the sea was dotted with steam 

 and sailing craft, going to and returning late from 

 the herring ground. Away to the north'ard the 

 cross-channel steamer, high In her upperworks, 

 shallow in draught, was rolling herself awash. 

 (Without doubt the watch on deck were swear- 

 ing under their breath as they handed the enamelled 



