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There were no indications that the serenading yachts ti They

had secured banjos andwith

better effect and greater relish And continually the hoarse voice of

the Polly's master roared forth malediction, twisted into new forleaht, paid

but little heed to the hullabaloo He was too thoroughly absorbed in

his own troubles to feel special interest in what his neighbors were

doing He did not even note that a fog-sodden breeze had begun to puff

spas overhead

However, all of a sudden, a sound forced itself on his attention; he

heard the chuckling of sheaves and knew that a sail was being hoisted

The low-lying stratu was still thick, and he could not perceive

the identity of the craft which proposed to take advantage of the

sluggish breeze The "ruckle-ruckle" of the blocks sounded at quick

intervals and indicated haste; there was a suggestion of vicious

deter at the halyards

Then Captain Mayo heard the steady clanking of capstan pawls He knew

the methods of the Apple-treers, their cautiousness, and their leisurely

habits, and he could scarcely believe that a coasting skipper was

intending to leave the harbor that night But the capstan pawls began to

click in staccato, showing that the anchor had been broken out