They all seemed to know about Harvey's rescue, and asked if he were worth his salt yet.

The young bloods jested with Dan, who had a lively tongue of his own, and inquired after their health by the town--nicknames they least liked.

Manuel's countrymen jabbered at him in their own language; and even the silent cook was seen riding the jib-boom and shouting Gaelic to a friend as black as himself.

After they had buoyed the cable--all around the Virgin is rocky bottom, and carelessness means chafed ground-tackle and danger from drifting--after they had buoyed the cable, their dories went forth to join the mob of boats anchored about a mile away.

The schooners rocked and dipped at a safe distance, like mother ducks watching their brood, while the dories behaved like mannerless ducklings.
As they drove into the confusion, boat banging boat, Harvey's ears tingled at the comments on his rowing.