The laugh was beginning to turn the other way now.

Every day, thenceforward, a new victim fell; every day some outraged captain discharged a non-association pet, with tears and profanity, and installed a hated association man in his berth.

In a very little while, idle non-associationists began to be pretty plenty, brisk as business was, and much as their services were desired.

The laugh was shifting to the other side of their mouths most palpably.

These victims, together with the captains and owners, presently ceased to laugh altogether, and began to rage about the revenge they would take when the passing business 'spurt' was over.
Soon all the laughers that were left were the owners and crews of boats that had two non-association pilots.