On Monday morning the Chesapeake weighed anchor and got under way for New London. The first and third classmen fell into their places easily. Ralph and his classmates at first were much bewildered with the strange things about them, the multiplicity of ropes and the jargon of strange sounds that constantly were dinned into their ears. The lieutenant in charge of the deck would shout some unintelligible order in loud, harsh tones. Then piercing, shrill whistles would be blown, followed by the screaming of the boatswain’s mates; and then everybody would jump up from whatever he was doing and rush to one end or other of the ship. Here Ralph would always find some men leading out a rope, and some first classman would gruffly say: “Fist onto that rope, mister, and put your weight on it.” Ralph would always join in the rush, and before long he commenced to understand the orders that were shouted and soon the meaning of them.
The Chesapeake anchored each of the six nights she was in Chesapeake Bay, and a little mild fun was indulged in by the upper classmen.
“Bring me something to read, Mr. Bollupsir,” said First Classman Baldwin, one evening soon after the Chesapeake had left Annapolis, to Bollup.
After some minutes the latter returned and said: “I’ve hunted everywhere, sir, but can find nothing, sir; I’m sorry, sir; I did the best I could, sir.”
“Well, Mr. Bollupsir,” returned Baldwin in menacing tones, “you’ll bring me something to read within the next few minutes or you’ll stand on your head every night for a week. Get me something; I don’t care what it is.”
“Say, Os,” said Bollup soon afterward, “for heaven’s sake give me a book or a paper, anything will do; I’ve got to get Baldwin something to read or stand on my head for a week.”
“I’m sorry, old fellow!” replied Ralph. “I wish I could but I haven’t a thing.”
“Yes, you have; I see a book and a paper in your locker; let me have them, quick.”
“Help yourself,” said Ralph, smiling, “but I’m afraid what you see is not what Baldwin wants.”
“Anything will do,” shouted Bollup, snatching the book and paper from Ralph’s locker and running aft without looking at them, fearing he would receive condign punishment for being so long on his errand.