Chapter 8
A Robbery
Ned joined the young man at the heavy tiller, anxious to be useful yet afraid of making a mess of things and perhaps endangering the barge. Surrounding them were vessels of all types and sizes, some moored with lighters alongside, and others, like theirs, dropping down river with the wind and tide, slipping between the larger vessels, small wherries, launches and ship’s boats, their crews smartly turned out, pulling between vessels or to the shore and the scattered quays.
Bert grinned. “Jus’ put yer ’ands between mine an’ move the tiller as I do.” Making room, he guided the boy into place on the other side of the tiller. “Reet, nah then, we ’as ter keep t’ wind in t’ sails, see, an’ keep ’er clear o’ everyone else.” His grin widened. “An’ follow t’ river. Easy peasy!
