But the able-seaman had opened the parrot’s cage, and the parrot came out in a stately manner, as if he knew he was wanted on business.
“You can’t exactly sign,” said Titty. “But lots of sailors can’t. You must wet your dirty claw and make your mark.”
“Pieces of eight,” said the parrot.
“He’s asking about his pay,” said John.
The able-seaman wetted the parrot’s very dirty claw and put the paper under it. The parrot stepped firmly in the right place and left a good print of his claw, though he did put the point of one toe through the paper.
Titty wrote beside it, “Polly: his Mark.”
“Ready about,” cried Susan, and John and Titty ducked their heads as the boom came over, and Swallow slipped round and off on the other tack, hesitating for hardly a moment and then butting cheerfully through the waves.
“Doesn’t Amazon look fine?” said Susan, looking at the little white-sailed boat ahead of them, with her fluttering black and white flag and her two red-capped sailors.
“ Swallow must look just as fine,” said Captain John.
“Finer,” said Titty. “We’ve got a brown sail.”
They sailed on, tacking from one side of the lake to the other and back again, till they were within a mile of the steamer pier at the foot of the lake.
Here they were passed by one of the big lake steamers, crowded with passengers, who came to the side and pointed. The captain, who was