"Walk away with it!" Mr.Pike would yell.

And perhaps for two or three yards they would manage to walk with the rope ere they came to a halt like stalled horses on a hill.

And yet, did either of the mates spring in and add his strength, they were able to move right along the deck without stopping.

Either of the mates, old men that they were, was muscularly worth half-a-dozen of the wretched creatures.
"This is what sailin's come to," Mr.Pike paused to snort in my ear.
"This ain't the place for an officer down here pulling and hauling.

But what can you do when the bosuns are worse than the men ?" "I thought sailors sang songs when they pulled," I said.
"Sure they do.