Life on a Quinlan boat was very much a panic and boredom thing. When in port, we worked until we dropped, whereas while en route, tasks tended to be routine and easy, if somewhat dull. This left me multiple opportunities to keep my eye on the food offering. The firl buzzed the boat twice more but showed no interest in the scraps. A couple of ackrels , though, descended on it with cries of noisy delight.