The tanned and shirtless foredeck hand hefted a coil of 1/4 inch manila and stepped up on a foredeck bitt for better visibility. As the boat carrying the disconsolate actor and the ginger-tempered skipper came within range he sank his lithe shoulders into a half-turn and with a graceful rapid turn of his upper body let fly the coil, which straightened in a long arc under the morning sun, flying true and straight across the bows of the launch where it was skillfully led around a wooden cleat by a waiting sailor. The boat was drawn into the long wooden rubbing strake of the Albert in short order and made fast to allow its passengers to scramble over the rail, aided by a large hempen fender hanging from the rail. Sidearm in hand, the sturdy, dangerous looking Mate came down the companionway to meet his questionable boarders, his face dark with latent fury and confusion.