He dashed for’ard, swinging a telescope. The midshipman knew his cue.
“Sideboy!” And the sideboy, a wizened little creature as yet too young to be an ordinary seaman, came running in his turn. “Look at that ensign! The Commander noticed it.”
The sideboy looked; and gulped while he summoned his excuse. “I cleared it just afore quarters, sir,” he said. “The rain an’ the wind——”
“It’s your job to see that it’s always clear. Understand?”
“Yessir.”
“And put your cap on straight.”
“Yessir.”
“Now go and clear the ensign. Get a move on!”
The midshipman tucked his telescope under his arm and watched for the Commander’s return.