There was a sea-going bustle on board; yards were swinging into place; and as the wind blew from that quarter, I could hear the song of the sailors as they pulled upon the ropes.

After all I had listened to upon the way, I looked at that ship with an extreme abhorrence; and from the bottom of my heart I pitied all poor souls that were condemned to sail in her.
We had all three pulled up on the brow of the hill; and now I marched across the road and addressed my uncle.

"I think it right to tell you, sir." says I, "there's nothing that will bring me on board that Covenant." He seemed to waken from a dream.

"Eh ?" he said.

"What's that ?" I told him over again.
"Well, well," he said, "we'll have to please ye, I suppose.