Re: Afternoon Aloft, 1st July

**Jacob Chase** Sun Jan 06, 2013 1:01 am

"That's a rollin' hitch," Chase explained. He worked the spun-yarn free, then tied it again, slowly, so Button could see each step. "It's for bendin' a smaller line to a larger one. Or puttin' a tail jigger on a backstay."

**Terry Button** Sun Jan 06, 2013 9:49 am

A what on a stay?

Anyway, that looked kind of like a clove hitch but going round twice instead of once.

"Fanks fer showin' me alla this," he said, with a grin. He ran his hand through his hair - it was cold without his hat!

**Jacob Chase** Mon Jan 07, 2013 2:00 am

"Ain't a problem." Chase held out the hat and the spun-yarn tied round it. "How're you gonna be a topman if you don't learn the job?"

**Terry Button** Mon Jan 07, 2013 2:14 am

Terry took the hat and bent to untie the yarn from round it before pulling it back on, grateful for the warmth.

"'Adn't fought about it," he admitted with a one-shouldered shrug. "But, fanks anyway."

**Jacob Chase** Mon Jan 07, 2013 9:30 pm

Chase grinned. "You're welcome." He paused, again scanning the horizon, then added abruptly, "Runnin' bowline."

**Terry Button** Tue Jan 08, 2013 3:41 am

"Runnin'...?" Terry blinked and ended up fumbling through the knot, though he thought he'd got the right one when he held it up to show Chase, a few moments later.

**Jacob Chase** Tue Jan 08, 2013 8:25 am

"Decent," said Chase approvingly. "Jus' remember to pull it taut after you ties the bowline on."

**Terry Button** Tue Jan 08, 2013 9:13 am

"Sorry," he said, biting his lip, and pulled it tight. "Better?"

**Jacob Chase** Tue Jan 08, 2013 10:45 am

"Good lad." The topman paused to think for a second, then he grinned. " 'Ve a mind to have some of the lads pull you 'side every now'n then, an' make you tie somethin', jus' so's you get it all down."

**Terry Button** Tue Jan 08, 2013 11:48 am

Terry looked dubious at that news. What if they picked something really hard that he didn't know yet?

"Um..." he said, picking at a stubborn bit of tar under his thumbnail, but couldn't really demur.

**Jacob Chase** Tue Jan 08, 2013 12:20 pm

It was not difficult to guess what the nipper's unvoiced objection was. Chase chuckled. "It wouldn't be anythin' you ain't a'ready learnt," he explained. " 'Less somebody teaches you somethin' new."

**Terry Button** Tue Jan 08, 2013 12:22 pm

Terry was a bit more reassured by that intelligence, but still wasn't sure he'd remember everything, not on the hop like that - and they were sure to pick the most awkward times to ask, too.

"All right," he muttered, unenthusiastically.

**Jacob Chase** Tue Jan 08, 2013 12:45 pm

"Now," he went on. "How 'bout we skip down to the deck, 'fore the watches change?"

**Terry Button** Tue Jan 08, 2013 12:59 pm

He nodded and scrambled to his feet. "Arrigh'. Oh. Reckon I oughta go see if Mister Leat needs anyfing, though he didn't need me afore eight bells."

**Jacob Chase** Tue Jan 08, 2013 2:00 pm

With a nod, Chase slung himself over the edge of the mast platform and began the descent to the deck, his movements naturally quick and sure. The watches would change shortly and being turned out below meant the chance to grab a hoarded piece of cheese and ship's biscuit.

**Terry Button** Wed Jan 09, 2013 1:55 pm

Terry grinned. He was no slouch in the rigging, and had even been known to win the impromptu races aloft the boys held on occasion. Well, he'd won once or twice, anyway. He shoved the spun-yarn into his pocket and swung into the shrouds himself.

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