“Let’s make the Ship’s Articles,” he said.
The bread and marmalade had all been eaten, so he turned the plate upside down, and put the paper on the back of it, and lay on his stomach on the rock. He wrote:
“Sailing Vessel Swallow . Port, Holly Howe. Owners …”
“Who are the owners?”
“She belongs to us for the rest of these holidays anyhow,” said Susan.
“I shall put ‘Walkers Limited’ to do for all of us.”
He wrote, “Owners, Walkers Limited.” Underneath that he wrote:
“Master: John Walker. Mate: Susan Walker. Able-seaman: Titty Walker. Ship’s Boy: Roger.”
“Now,” he said, “you all have to sign opposite your names.”
They all signed.
“Well, Mister Mate,” said John.
“Sir,” replied Susan smartly.
“How soon do you think we shall be ready to put to sea?”
“With the first breath of wind.”
“What do you think of your crew?”
“The best I ever shipped.”
“Can they swim?”