"Keep her head out, Charlie, whatever you do.

Let go that rope beside you.

That's right.

Now take hold of that end of the mast and slip it under the seat." So saying he managed to get down the mast and stow it away without impeding either the rowing or the steering, and immediately the advantage of the step was manifest in the steadier motion of the boat, although we groaned inwardly at the thought of having now all the distance to row.

At least I groaned inwardly.