` The glass has got cracked , but the needle waggles all right , sir . ' The knight drew a long breath of wonder . ` Yes , yes ! The Wise Iron shook and swung in just this fashion . Now it is still . Now it points to the South . ' ` North , ' said Dan . ` Nay , South ! There is the South , ' said Sir Richard . Then they both laughed , for naturally when one end of a straight compass-needle points to the North , the other must point to the South . ` Té , ' said Sir Richard , clicking his tongue . ` There can be no sorcery if a child carries it . Wherefore does it point South -- or North ? ' ` Father says that nobody knows , ' said Una . Sir Richard looked relieved . ` Then it may still be magic . It was magic to us . And so we voyaged . When the wind served we hoisted sail , and lay all up along the windward rail , our shields on our backs to break the spray . When it failed , they rowed with long oars ; the Yellow Man sat by the Wise Iron , and Witta steered .
At first I feared the great white-flowering waves , but as I saw how wisely XXXXX led his ship among them I grew bolder .
Dan Father Man Richard South Té Una Witta oars right