“That’s true,” said Captain John. “We needn’t make it lower than the highest Titty can reach. But if we make it too low it will be no good. We must be able to see it above the bushes. You go down the harbour and stand behind the stump and as near to the water as you can.”
Susan went back and stood behind the stump, which was about ten yards from the water’s edge. She stood on the edge of the water.
“Can you see the fork of the tree?” John called out to her.
“Yes,” said Susan.
He put his hand on the trunk of the forked tree, as high up as he could reach.
“Can you see my hand?”
“Yes.”
“Can you still see it?” He moved his hand slowly down the trunk of the tree.
“Now I can’t,” said Susan.
He raised it a few inches.
“I can see it now,” said Susan.
“Blow your whistle for Titty,” said Captain John, and Mate Susan blew her whistle. Titty and Roger came running. John held his hand where it was until they came. Then he asked Titty to try if she could reach it. She just could.
“Good,” said Captain John.
“What for?” said Titty.