In half a minute he had reached the port scuppers, and picked, out of a coil of rope, a long knife, or rather a short dirk, discoloured to the hilt with blood.

只有半分钟的工夫他已横越甲板爬到左舷的排水孔那里，从盘成一堆的绳子底下摸出一把长长的小刀，可以说是一把短剑，上面的血一直染到了刀柄上。

youdao

Then, in an instant, the port-side packer throws the hooked end of the rope over the mule's starboard side, his partner catches it, turns it round, and a 16-step dance begins.

ECONOMIST: New uses for an old pastime