"How on earth do we get aboard?" said Herc.
"Climb up those ladders," rejoined Ned.
"What, those swinging things?"
"That's right."
"What then?"
"Then we run along those booms till we are on board the ship."
"No, thank you."
Herc looked apprehensively at the swinging ladders up which the jackies from the first boat were already beginning to swarm like monkeys, nimbly scampering along the booms when they reached the top. They steadied themselves on the lofty perches by light hand-lines rigged for the purpose.
"What do you mean? Surely you are not getting scared?"
"No, not scared," replied Herc. "But what's a fellow want to come into the navy for if he can make a living walking a tight rope?"