Halfway to the
top of the cliff hung suspended a little shed-like structure that
sheltered Trot's rowboat, for it was necessary to pull the boat out
of reach of the waves which beat in fury against the rocks at high
tide. About as high up as Cap'n Bill could reach was an iron ring
securely fastened to the cliff, and to this ring was tied a rope.
The old sailor unfastened the knot and began paying out the rope,
and the rowboat came out of its shed and glided slowly downward to
the beach. It hung on a pair of davits and was lowered just as a
boat is lowered from a ship's side. When it reached the sands, the
sailor unhooked the ropes and pushed the boat to the water's edge.
It was a pretty little craft, light and strong, and Cap'n Bill knew
how to sail it or row it, as Trot might desire.
Today they decided to row, so the girl climbed into the bow and her
companion stuck his wooden leg into the water's edge "so he wouldn't
get his foot wet" and pushed off the little boat as he climbed
aboard. Then he seized the oars and began gently paddling.
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