'I must have been, sir,' Jack replied. 'It will not occur again.'
'If it does, you shall try your hand at the big main royal,' the officer returned. 'Get to your bunk.'
Alarmed by the threat, Jack disappeared.
CHAPTER IV
UNDER THE SOUTHERN CROSS
After that memorable night ascent, Jack never hesitated to go aloft on all occasions.
For a while, however, he could not overcome the difficulties of climbing out over the 'futtock' rigging of the lower tops, and was too proud to again creep through the 'lubber's hole,' yet with advice from Readyman those obstacles were surmounted.
'Wait until the ship rolls away from you,' the quarter-master said, 'and then you'll find that she almost lifts you into the topmast rigging.'
Finding the boy an apt pupil, Readyman put him through a course of 'eye,' 'long,' 'short,' and 'cringle' splicing of ropes, and the correct formation of numerous knots and hitches.
Indeed, the old sailor proved of invaluable service to the lad, and taught him many other duties which no one else seemed to have the time or the inclination to impart, and before the passengers went ashore Jack was well up in the rudiments of his profession. In return for such kindness the boy was enabled to render his friend much pleasurable assistance, and in a manner little suspected by the quarter-master.