likely, they only flourished their
heels and refused with scorn to come and be saddled, he uttered his
sternest summons, "Ship's company, all hands on deck!" which meant that
his son Jacob--starboard watch, must come and help port watch--Israel
himself, to capture Teddy and Neddy.

Neddy was generally willing enough, unless when led from the plain
course of maritime duty by Teddy. On these occasions Israel used to
quote from the "articles" relating to the Mutiny Act, and has even been
known to go so far as threaten Teddy with "a round dozen" at the
main-mast as soon as he could lay hands on a "rope's end."

The which was all the same to Teddy.

It was beautiful to see the flotilla navigating the level surface of
Killantringan moor--level, that is, by comparison. For first there were
the little waves of the sheep-tracks, then the gentle rollers of the
moss-hags, and, last of all, certain black dangerous Maelstroms from
which last year's peats had been dug, in which a moment's folly on the
part of Neddy or Teddy might engulf the Armada for ever.

As they set sail Jacob Kinmont was first and second mate, but in
particular, look-out-man. He went ahead, keeping a wary eye for dangers
and obstacles, and on the whole the donkeys followed docilely enough in
his wake. Israel's post as captain was behind at the tiller-ropes,
whence he shouted exact instructions with nautical exactitude, such as
"A point to the west, Neddy!" Or, pathetically, "DID I say
nor'-nor'-east, Teddy, or didn't I?"

This last had a ring of affection in it, for, in spite of his naughty
habits (or because of them) Teddy was distinctly the favourite. Also he
had a habit of nuzzling his moist nose into the breast of the old man's
reefer coat in search of sweet things, a trick which the more patient
and reliable Neddy never acquired. And if Teddy forgot to come inquiring
after the hidden sweets, Israel was quite heart-broken.

At first the boys from the village would follow and perhaps imitate
these naval manoeuvres--in the hope, never fulfilled, of catching
"Ranter Israel" using some nautical language, such as old Pirate Wilkes
had made but too familiar to their ears. But they never caught him, for
Israel's "yea" remained "yea" and his "nay" "nay," even when navigating
donkeys over the trackless waste of Killantringan Common. But in
revenge, every now and then, Israel would get hold of a village lad and
lead him triumphantly to his meeting, whence he wou