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know whether someone likes you because of what you are on the outside—because you're pretty—or whether they like you for what you are.”
    Sarah was staring at her friend, understanding. “I've seen a little of that. I guess that's why those beautiful actors and actresses never stay married. They're always jumping from one man or one woman to the next.”
    â€œI don't understand any of this,” Daybright said. “All I know is she's a royal pain in the neck.”
    â€œYes, she is,” Abbey said slowly, “and I guess she always will be—unless something happens to change her.”
    â€œLet her husband change her. He can take a stick to her,” he joked. “That would make her see things a little differently.”
    Both girls laughed.
    â€œI can see you don't know much about marriage, Captain,” Sarah said. “Would you take a paddle to your bride?”
    Daybright grinned. “Why, of course I would. Don't you have to treat a wife just like a horse that needs discipline?”
    â€œDon't ever tell that to a woman you're interested in,” Abbey said, sobering up. “It'd be the worst thing you could do.”
    â€œWell, I admit I don't know anything about women. All I know is ships and the ocean, and that's all I'll probably ever know.”
    That afternoon Wash baited a line with a small fish and threw it over the stern. He let out the line and held it for a while.
    Soon Reb came back to sit beside him. “Let me hold that thing! I'm a pretty good fisherman myself.”
    â€œAll right.” Wash handed him the line and watched as Reb wrapped two or three turns around his wrist. “I wouldn't do that if I was you.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œ'Cause you might get something too big on there. Might pull you out of the boat.”
    â€œShip.” Then Reb shook his head. “Just let something get on there! I'll show you who gets pulled.”
    His boastful words were to haunt him; for not five minutes later, Wash, who was lolling alongside the rail, heard Reb give a cry. He turned to see the lanky Texan go sailing over the rail.
    â€œMan overboard!” Wash yelled.
    Daybright, who was at the helm, spun the wheel furiously.
    All the crew members who were on deck rushed to the rail.
    Dave yelled, “What was he doing?”
    â€œHe had his wrist tied onto a fish line, and something yanked him over the side. Could be a shark!”
    The Dolphin wheeled slowly.
    As the boat came alongside, it appeared Reb had managed to free himself from the fishing line. He grabbed the rope Dave threw to him and soon was standing on deck, dripping and staring at his wrist. “Look at that!” he said.
    They all crowded around. His wrist was rope-burned.
    â€œWhat was that you caught?”
    â€œNothing,” Reb said, abashed. “He caught me.” But a light of battle appeared in the boy's blue eyes. He loved a challenge and said, “You wait—I'll get that varmint.”
    Reb began preparing another line, but this time he looped it around a capstan, saying, “Come on, fish. You bite one more time, and we'll see what's what!”
    Daybright steered the Dolphin back on course, and Reb stayed at the rail with the loose end of the line in his hand.
    Perhaps a half an hour later Reb let out a yell, and Wash ran to see that the line was tight. Something was pulling and plunging on the end of it.
    â€œHe's a big'un, whatever he is,” Reb shouted, “but I'll get him.”
    It turned out to be quite a battle. For more than two hours Reb struggled to bring the fish in. If it had not been for the turn taken around the capstan, he would never have been able to land it.
    Daybright came to watch the struggle. “You'll never get him on board,” he predicted. “He's too big.”
    â€œI'll do it or die!” Reb said and threw his head back and gave a loud Rebel yell.
    Finally the fish was brought to the