Трое в лодке не считая собаки

           Possiblytheresultmayhavebeenbroughtaboutbythenaturalobstinacyofallthingsinthisworld. Theboatmaypossiblyhavecometotheconclusion,judgingfromacursoryviewofourbehaviour,thatwehadcomeoutforamorning’ssuicide,andhadthereupondeterminedtodisappointus. ThatistheonlysuggestionIcanoffer. 

           Byclinginglikegrimdeathtothegunwale,wejustmanagedtokeepinsidetheboat,butitwasexhaustingwork. Hectorsaidthatpiratesandotherseafaringpeoplegenerallylashedtheruddertosomethingorother,andhauledinthemaintop-jib,duringseveresqualls,andthoughtweoughttotrytodosomethingofthekind; butIwasforlettingherhaveherheadtothewind. 

           Asmyadvicewasbyfartheeasiesttofollow,weendedbyadoptingit,andcontrivedtoembracethegunwaleandgiveherherhead. 

           TheboattravelledupstreamforaboutamileatapaceIhaveneversailedatsince,anddon’twanttoagain. Then,atabend,sheheeledovertillhalfhersailwasunderwater. Thensherightedherselfbyamiracleandflewforalonglowbankofsoftmud. 

           Thatmud-banksavedus. Theboatplougheditswayintothemiddleofitandthenstuck. Findingthatwewereoncemoreabletomoveaccordingtoourideas,insteadofbeingpitchedandthrownaboutlikepeasinabladder,wecreptforward,andcutdownthesail. 

           Wehadhadenoughsailing. Wedidnotwanttooverdothethingandgetasurfeitofit.