The Captain's Feather

I set my sights on Captain Greybeard's hefty felt tricorn hat, which he'd parked on a sea chest outside his cabin door. A bare black hat like that is hardly suitable for a dashing captain! With a spirited hop, I landed on the wide brim. I'd already prepared a gleaming white feather. I gripped the keel firmly with the tip of the beak and, with two energetic jerks, pushed it deep behind the tarnished brass buckle on the hatband. A quick test – it's rock solid and bobs proudly in the wind. If the old grump is to sail now, he'll finally be sporting the badge of his true first mate.