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80 about to leave the pier, when he remarked suddenly: "Then agin—might not."

The day held just enough faint heat-haze to temper the sunshine with a tender translucence. The sea, of an exquisite turquoise blue, faded to clear emerald green inshore; the sail of the Ailouros gleamed incredibly white as Jim hoisted it. He brought the catboat up beside the landing, towing the dinghy astern.

"All right!" he said. "In with the basket and the jug! Clear that center-board rope, please, Elspeth! Look out there, Garth; wait until I give you a hand. Right-o! We're off!"

The Ailouros slid away from the pier, swung around, and headed up past Bird Rock, sailing closehauled.

"This is easy going," said Jim, when they were in open water. "Here you are, Skipper!" He handed over the tiller to Garth, who clasped it joyously and fixed his eyes on the luff of the sail.

"Now he's utterly happy," said Jim. "And so am I," he added, as he stretched himself out luxuriously and lit his pipe.

The water clucked softly at the bow of the Ailouros and slid flashing along her sides.