He threw back his shoulders and stretched his legs after the manner of one cramped by standing too long in one attitude.
A hundred yards farther up the river, where the dyke was wider, a grey-haired man was walking slowly toward the quay.

In front of him a boy of ten years was endeavouring to drag a young girl toward the jetty at a quicker pace than she desired.

She was laughing at his impetuosity and looking back toward the man who followed them with the abstraction and indifference of a student.
Colville took in the whole picture in one quick comprehensive glance.
But he turned again as the singer on board "The Last Hope" began another verse.

The words were clearly audible to such as knew the language, and Colville noted that the girl turned with a sudden gravity to listen to them.
"Un tel qu'on vantait Par hasard etait D'origine assez mince; Par hasard il plut, Par hasard il fut Baron, ministre, et prince." Captain Clubbe's harsh voice broke into the song with the order to let go the anchor.

As the ship swung to the tide the steersman, who wore neither coat nor waistcoat, could be seen idly handling the wheel still, though his duties were necessarily at an end.