Peter was always proud afterwards when he remembered that, with the Bargee's furious fingers tightening on his ear, the Bargee's crimson countenance close to his own, the Bargee's hot breath on his neck, he had the courage to speak the truth.

"I wasn't catching fish," said Peter.

"That's not your fault, I'll be bound," said the man, giving Peter's ear a twist—not a hard one—but still a twist.