arms, and gave his orders in a low, stern whisper:
Luff, and bring her to the wind!
Aye-aye, sir!
Steady, steady-y-y-y!
Steady it is, sir!
Let her go off a point!
Point it is, sir!
As the boys steadily and monotonously drove the raft toward mid-stream
it was no doubt understood that these orders were given only for
style, and were not intended to mean anything in particular.
What sail s she carrying?
Courses, tops ls, and flying-jib, sir.
Send the r yals up! Lay out aloft, there, half a dozen of
ye foretopmaststuns l! Lively, now!
Aye-aye, sir!
Shake out that maintogalans l! Sheets and braces! _now_ my hearties!
Aye-aye, sir!
Hellum-a-lee hard a port! Stand by to meet her when she comes! Port,
port! _Now_, men! With a will! Stead-y-y-y!
Steady it is, sir!
The raft drew beyond the middle of the river; the boys pointed her head
right, and then lay on their oars. The river was not high, so there was
not more than a two or three mile current. Hardly a word was said during
the next three-quarters of an hour. Now the raft was passing before
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