Hocken and Hunken

Mr Tregaskis thrust out a hand to catch it, but in too great a haste. The impact of his finger tips on the edge of the crown sent the hat spinning forward over the thwart whereon sprawled Ben Price, the stroke oar, and into the lap of Nathaniel Berry, bowman. Nathaniel Berry, recovering his balance, rescued the headgear from the grip of his knees, gave it a polite brush the wrong way of the nap, and passed it aft to Ben Price. Ben a bald headed but able seaman eyed it a moment, rubbed it the right way dubiously with his elbow, and handed it on to the mate; who in turn smoothed it with the palm of his hand, which being an alert obliging man he had dexterously wetted overside before the Captain could stop him.