Dan's arms ached, and his muscles were pretty well stiffened, as he started to make his way down the rocking mast.
At last he reached the foot of the mast, which was the navigating bridge of the ship, and started to run down the steps to return to his post.
"Davis!" The voice was sharp and commanding.
"Aye, aye, sir," answered the boy, halting and saluting.
"Where are you going?"
"To my post, sir," he answered, as he faced the commanding officer.
"You need not return to your post. There are enough men aloft in the mainmast now. You have done quite enough. How did you happen to fall?"
The boy explained, not omitting the fact that he and Sam were running a race for the tops.
The captain did not rebuke the boy for this, perhaps realizing that Dan had already been severely punished for his foolhardiness.
"That is all for the present. Aloft, there!"