Then I saw it was caused by the halyards, the thin line which ran up through the truck and down again to the deck, for hoisting our colours.

This doubled line, swayed by the breeze, was beating against the tall pole, but I checked the noise by putting my arm round it and holding the thin halyard tight.
I looked down for a moment or two at the deck which lay beneath, giving me a bird's-eye view through the rigging of the white decks dotted with officers and men, and the guns glistening in the sunshine.

There were several faces staring up at me, and I made out Barkins and Smith, and waved my hand.

But these were only momentary glances; I had too much to see of far more importance.

For there, spread out round me, was a grand view of the low, flat, marshy country, through which the river wound like a silver snake.