THE PINTAIL DUCK AND THE SHOVELLER 223 



You ought to be tarred an' feathered, you owdacious 

 rip, you did. There, 'tis no good talking, you 

 means going, I kin see." 



Some manoeuvring in the way of water dodging, 

 and the place was reached. There was the vessel 

 in all certainty, but apparently there was not a soul 

 on board. 



" Spanker ahoy, ahoy ! " I hailed, and barely had 

 the hail been given, when up popped a red fisher- 

 man's cap. 



" What cheer, my son, what cheer ! Cum aboord. 

 This 'ere is a bit o' luck ; 'tis like being marooned 

 on a desert islan', being the only crew aboord. 

 Tumble in. She's fairly wittled, for there's skate 

 and dabs and 'taters, and biscuit and soft tack 

 (bread) in the locker, an' a full Dutchman (bottle 

 of hollands). My watch is up in the arternoon, fur 

 dad's cumin' down then. What are ye on the 

 cruise for ? " 



11 Fowl, Curly, if there is a chance ; there is some 

 about." 



" Yes, there is, at the gullet o' that slack-water 

 bay ; but 'tis risky, the water biles." 



"Can I try?" 



" Now look here. If I get the skiff out, will 

 you keep watch along o' me arterwards till dad 

 cums ? for 'tis enough to give you the blues bein' 

 alone." 



" Yes, all right." 



" Then out she goes, sink or swim. Get in the 

 bows ; ye are loaded." 



