There's only one thing more, and don't you forget it: Hats off; and any man that wants to spit must go outside." That afternoon Taffy learnt for the first time what could be done with a few ropes and pulleys.

The seamen seemed to spin ropes out of themselves like spiders.

By three o'clock the beam was hoisted and fixed; and they broke off their work to attend their shipmates' funeral.

After the funeral they fell to again, though more silently, and before nightfall the beam shone with a new coat of varnish.
They left early next morning, after a good deal of handshaking, and Taffy looked after them wistfully as they turned to wave their caps and trudged away over the rise towards the cross-roads.

Away to the left in the wintry sunshine a speck of scarlet caught his eye against the blue-grey of the towans.