Then she told them they were to change ships again.

When Captain Jonsen came back, mopping the sweat from his polished forehead with a big cotton handkerchief, he seemed in a terrible hurry. As for the children, they were so excited they were ready to tumble into the boat: in such a flurry they nearly tumbled into the sea instead. Now they knew why they had been washed and combed.

It did not seem at first as if there was going to be any difficulty about getting them started. But it was Rachel who began the breakaway.

“My babies! My babies!” she shrieked, and began running all over the ship, routing out bits of rag, fuzzy rope-ends, paint-pots⁠ ⁠… her arms were soon full.

“Here, you can’t take all that junk!” dissuaded Otto.

“Oh but my darlings, I can’t leave you behind!” cried Rachel piteously. Out rushed the cook, just in time to retrieve his ladle⁠—and a battle-royal began.