Chapter IX

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The Expedition Lands At a little before three on Tuesday afternoon a regular flotilla of boats might have been seen to swing around Toller’s Rock.

take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

From this reading The _Faith_ was Jack’s boat, a small, pea-green lapstreak dory that had spent most of its life in Herrick’s Cove and was now palpably excited by its tremendous adventure.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading The Expedition Lands At a little before three on Tuesday afternoon a regular flotilla of boats might have been seen to swing around Toller’s Rock.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading I doubt if it was seen, for the Rock and the shore beyond all the way to the farther side of Nobody’s Island was apparently empty of life, if one excepts the gulls and the land birds.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving

From this reading The sloop was brought around into the wind near the mouth of Clam River and as close to the shore as Jack dared take her on a falling tide and the anchor was dropped.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading I doubt if it was seen, for the Rock and the shore beyond all the way to the farther side of Nobody’s Island was apparently empty of life, if one excepts the gulls and the land birds.

from appearances alone

From this reading I doubt if it was seen, for the Rock and the shore beyond all the way to the farther side of Nobody’s Island was apparently empty of life, if one excepts the gulls and the land birds.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading The Expedition Lands At a little before three on Tuesday afternoon a regular flotilla of boats might have been seen to swing around Toller’s Rock.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The sloop was brought around into the wind near the mouth of Clam River and as close to the shore as Jack dared take her on a falling tide and the anchor was dropped.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Expedition Lands At a little before three on Tuesday afternoon a regular flotilla of boats might have been seen to swing around Toller’s Rock.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The Expedition Lands At a little before three on Tuesday afternoon a regular flotilla of boats might have been seen to swing around Toller’s Rock.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The Expedition Lands At a little before three on Tuesday afternoon a regular flotilla of boats might have been seen to swing around Toller’s Rock.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading I doubt if it was seen, for the Rock and the shore beyond all the way to the farther side of Nobody’s Island was apparently empty of life, if one excepts the gulls and the land birds.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading I doubt if it was seen, for the Rock and the shore beyond all the way to the farther side of Nobody’s Island was apparently empty of life, if one excepts the gulls and the land birds.

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading The _Faith_ was Jack’s boat, a small, pea-green lapstreak dory that had spent most of its life in Herrick’s Cove and was now palpably excited by its tremendous adventure.

plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading The Expedition Lands At a little before three on Tuesday afternoon a regular flotilla of boats might have been seen to swing around Toller’s Rock.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading The sloop was brought around into the wind near the mouth of Clam River and as close to the shore as Jack dared take her on a falling tide and the anchor was dropped.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The _Faith_ was Jack’s boat, a small, pea-green lapstreak dory that had spent most of its life in Herrick’s Cove and was now palpably excited by its tremendous adventure.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

burrowing marine mollusk living on sand or mud; the shell closes with viselike firmness

From this reading The sloop was brought around into the wind near the mouth of Clam River and as close to the shore as Jack dared take her on a falling tide and the anchor was dropped.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading The sloop was brought around into the wind near the mouth of Clam River and as close to the shore as Jack dared take her on a falling tide and the anchor was dropped.

a pirate along the Barbary Coast

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

a small inlet

From this reading The _Faith_ was Jack’s boat, a small, pea-green lapstreak dory that had spent most of its life in Herrick’s Cove and was now palpably excited by its tremendous adventure.

a solid formed by the solidification of a chemical and having a highly regular atomic structure

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission

From this reading The sloop was brought around into the wind near the mouth of Clam River and as close to the shore as Jack dared take her on a falling tide and the anchor was dropped.

inflected form of “dip” — immerse briefly into a liquid so as to wet, coat, or saturate

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

a small boat of shallow draft with cross thwarts for seats and rowlocks for oars with which it is propelled

From this reading The _Faith_ was Jack’s boat, a small, pea-green lapstreak dory that had spent most of its life in Herrick’s Cove and was now palpably excited by its tremendous adventure.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading I doubt if it was seen, for the Rock and the shore beyond all the way to the farther side of Nobody’s Island was apparently empty of life, if one excepts the gulls and the land birds.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading The sloop was brought around into the wind near the mouth of Clam River and as close to the shore as Jack dared take her on a falling tide and the anchor was dropped.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading I doubt if it was seen, for the Rock and the shore beyond all the way to the farther side of Nobody’s Island was apparently empty of life, if one excepts the gulls and the land birds.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I doubt if it was seen, for the Rock and the shore beyond all the way to the farther side of Nobody’s Island was apparently empty of life, if one excepts the gulls and the land birds.

(of persons) excessively affected by emotion

From this reading The _Faith_ was Jack’s boat, a small, pea-green lapstreak dory that had spent most of its life in Herrick’s Cove and was now palpably excited by its tremendous adventure.

a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country

From this reading The Expedition Lands At a little before three on Tuesday afternoon a regular flotilla of boats might have been seen to swing around Toller’s Rock.

a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading The sloop was brought around into the wind near the mouth of Clam River and as close to the shore as Jack dared take her on a falling tide and the anchor was dropped.

more distant in especially space or time

From this reading I doubt if it was seen, for the Rock and the shore beyond all the way to the farther side of Nobody’s Island was apparently empty of life, if one excepts the gulls and the land birds.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

borne up by or suspended in a liquid

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

a United States Navy fleet consisting of two or more squadrons of small warships

From this reading The Expedition Lands At a little before three on Tuesday afternoon a regular flotilla of boats might have been seen to swing around Toller’s Rock.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I doubt if it was seen, for the Rock and the shore beyond all the way to the farther side of Nobody’s Island was apparently empty of life, if one excepts the gulls and the land birds.

in a graceful manner

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

plural of “gull” — a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of

From this reading I doubt if it was seen, for the Rock and the shore beyond all the way to the farther side of Nobody’s Island was apparently empty of life, if one excepts the gulls and the land birds.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The _Faith_ was Jack’s boat, a small, pea-green lapstreak dory that had spent most of its life in Herrick’s Cove and was now palpably excited by its tremendous adventure.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The Expedition Lands At a little before three on Tuesday afternoon a regular flotilla of boats might have been seen to swing around Toller’s Rock.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The _Faith_ was Jack’s boat, a small, pea-green lapstreak dory that had spent most of its life in Herrick’s Cove and was now palpably excited by its tremendous adventure.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I doubt if it was seen, for the Rock and the shore beyond all the way to the farther side of Nobody’s Island was apparently empty of life, if one excepts the gulls and the land birds.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading I doubt if it was seen, for the Rock and the shore beyond all the way to the farther side of Nobody’s Island was apparently empty of life, if one excepts the gulls and the land birds.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The sloop was brought around into the wind near the mouth of Clam River and as close to the shore as Jack dared take her on a falling tide and the anchor was dropped.

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading I doubt if it was seen, for the Rock and the shore beyond all the way to the farther side of Nobody’s Island was apparently empty of life, if one excepts the gulls and the land birds.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I doubt if it was seen, for the Rock and the shore beyond all the way to the farther side of Nobody’s Island was apparently empty of life, if one excepts the gulls and the land birds.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The _Faith_ was Jack’s boat, a small, pea-green lapstreak dory that had spent most of its life in Herrick’s Cove and was now palpably excited by its tremendous adventure.

a small worthless amount

From this reading The sloop was brought around into the wind near the mouth of Clam River and as close to the shore as Jack dared take her on a falling tide and the anchor was dropped.

possessive form of “jack” — a small worthless amount

From this reading The _Faith_ was Jack’s boat, a small, pea-green lapstreak dory that had spent most of its life in Herrick’s Cove and was now palpably excited by its tremendous adventure.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading I doubt if it was seen, for the Rock and the shore beyond all the way to the farther side of Nobody’s Island was apparently empty of life, if one excepts the gulls and the land birds.

plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located

From this reading The Expedition Lands At a little before three on Tuesday afternoon a regular flotilla of boats might have been seen to swing around Toller’s Rock.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The _Faith_ was Jack’s boat, a small, pea-green lapstreak dory that had spent most of its life in Herrick’s Cove and was now palpably excited by its tremendous adventure.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading I doubt if it was seen, for the Rock and the shore beyond all the way to the farther side of Nobody’s Island was apparently empty of life, if one excepts the gulls and the land birds.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The Expedition Lands At a little before three on Tuesday afternoon a regular flotilla of boats might have been seen to swing around Toller’s Rock.

the lowermost sail on the mainmast

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The Expedition Lands At a little before three on Tuesday afternoon a regular flotilla of boats might have been seen to swing around Toller’s Rock.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The _Faith_ was Jack’s boat, a small, pea-green lapstreak dory that had spent most of its life in Herrick’s Cove and was now palpably excited by its tremendous adventure.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading The sloop was brought around into the wind near the mouth of Clam River and as close to the shore as Jack dared take her on a falling tide and the anchor was dropped.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading The sloop was brought around into the wind near the mouth of Clam River and as close to the shore as Jack dared take her on a falling tide and the anchor was dropped.

possessive form of “nobody” — a person of no influence

From this reading I doubt if it was seen, for the Rock and the shore beyond all the way to the farther side of Nobody’s Island was apparently empty of life, if one excepts the gulls and the land birds.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The _Faith_ was Jack’s boat, a small, pea-green lapstreak dory that had spent most of its life in Herrick’s Cove and was now palpably excited by its tremendous adventure.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Expedition Lands At a little before three on Tuesday afternoon a regular flotilla of boats might have been seen to swing around Toller’s Rock.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The Expedition Lands At a little before three on Tuesday afternoon a regular flotilla of boats might have been seen to swing around Toller’s Rock.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading I doubt if it was seen, for the Rock and the shore beyond all the way to the farther side of Nobody’s Island was apparently empty of life, if one excepts the gulls and the land birds.

so as to be palpable

From this reading The _Faith_ was Jack’s boat, a small, pea-green lapstreak dory that had spent most of its life in Herrick’s Cove and was now palpably excited by its tremendous adventure.

of a moderate slightly yellowish-green color

From this reading The _Faith_ was Jack’s boat, a small, pea-green lapstreak dory that had spent most of its life in Herrick’s Cove and was now palpably excited by its tremendous adventure.

by chance

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

full of fun and high spirits

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

(theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle

From this reading The Expedition Lands At a little before three on Tuesday afternoon a regular flotilla of boats might have been seen to swing around Toller’s Rock.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading The sloop was brought around into the wind near the mouth of Clam River and as close to the shore as Jack dared take her on a falling tide and the anchor was dropped.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading The Expedition Lands At a little before three on Tuesday afternoon a regular flotilla of boats might have been seen to swing around Toller’s Rock.

uttered with a trill

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The Expedition Lands At a little before three on Tuesday afternoon a regular flotilla of boats might have been seen to swing around Toller’s Rock.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading I doubt if it was seen, for the Rock and the shore beyond all the way to the farther side of Nobody’s Island was apparently empty of life, if one excepts the gulls and the land birds.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading I doubt if it was seen, for the Rock and the shore beyond all the way to the farther side of Nobody’s Island was apparently empty of life, if one excepts the gulls and the land birds.

a sailing vessel with a single mast set about one third of the boat's length aft of the bow

From this reading The sloop was brought around into the wind near the mouth of Clam River and as close to the shore as Jack dared take her on a falling tide and the anchor was dropped.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The _Faith_ was Jack’s boat, a small, pea-green lapstreak dory that had spent most of its life in Herrick’s Cove and was now palpably excited by its tremendous adventure.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading The _Faith_ was Jack’s boat, a small, pea-green lapstreak dory that had spent most of its life in Herrick’s Cove and was now palpably excited by its tremendous adventure.

the season of growth

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading The Expedition Lands At a little before three on Tuesday afternoon a regular flotilla of boats might have been seen to swing around Toller’s Rock.

carry out

From this reading The sloop was brought around into the wind near the mouth of Clam River and as close to the shore as Jack dared take her on a falling tide and the anchor was dropped.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The _Faith_ was Jack’s boat, a small, pea-green lapstreak dory that had spent most of its life in Herrick’s Cove and was now palpably excited by its tremendous adventure.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The Expedition Lands At a little before three on Tuesday afternoon a regular flotilla of boats might have been seen to swing around Toller’s Rock.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading The Expedition Lands At a little before three on Tuesday afternoon a regular flotilla of boats might have been seen to swing around Toller’s Rock.

the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon

From this reading The sloop was brought around into the wind near the mouth of Clam River and as close to the shore as Jack dared take her on a falling tide and the anchor was dropped.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The Expedition Lands At a little before three on Tuesday afternoon a regular flotilla of boats might have been seen to swing around Toller’s Rock.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Expedition Lands At a little before three on Tuesday afternoon a regular flotilla of boats might have been seen to swing around Toller’s Rock.

(nautical) a rope used in towing

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree

From this reading The _Faith_ was Jack’s boat, a small, pea-green lapstreak dory that had spent most of its life in Herrick’s Cove and was now palpably excited by its tremendous adventure.

the third day of the week; the second working day

From this reading The Expedition Lands At a little before three on Tuesday afternoon a regular flotilla of boats might have been seen to swing around Toller’s Rock.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading I doubt if it was seen, for the Rock and the shore beyond all the way to the farther side of Nobody’s Island was apparently empty of life, if one excepts the gulls and the land birds.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading I doubt if it was seen, for the Rock and the shore beyond all the way to the farther side of Nobody’s Island was apparently empty of life, if one excepts the gulls and the land birds.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading The sloop was brought around into the wind near the mouth of Clam River and as close to the shore as Jack dared take her on a falling tide and the anchor was dropped.

(of sound) fluctuating unsteadily

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Perhaps the word procession would be better than flotilla, for first came the _Crystal Spring_, wobbling along under her big gray mainsail, then the _Corsair_, floating gracefully at the end of a towline, and finally the _Faith_, dipping and rolling a little in the manner of young and playful dories.