Explore "In Borrowed Plumes" by W.W. Jacobs on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
The master of the Sarah Jane had been missing for two days, and all on board, with the exception of the boy, whom nobody troubled about, were full of joy at the circumstance. Twice before had the skipper, whose habits might, perhaps, be best described as irregular, missed his ship, and word had gone forth that the third time would be the last. His berth was a good one, and the mate wanted it in place of his own, which was wanted by Ted Jones, A. B.
"Two hours more," said the mate anxiously to the men, as they stood leaning against the side, "and I take the ship out."