The men did what they were bidden.
"That's right!" continued Dick, and calling to Hercules, said,-
"Now, Hercules; a good strong pull!"
To give such a direction to Hercules was somewhat imprudent; the rigging creaked again under his giant strength.
"Gently, gently, my good fellow!" said Dick, laughing; "you will have the mast down."
"I declare I hardly touched the rope," answered Hercules.
"Well, next time, you must only pretend to touch it," said Dick; and, continuing his orders, shouted, "Now slacken! let fly! make fast! now brace in the yards! all right! that's capital!"
The yards were loosened, the foresails turned slowly round, and, catching the breeze, gave a slight impetus to the ship. Dick's next orders were for the jib-sheets to be set free, and then he called the men to the stern.
"Now," said he; "we must look to the main-mast; but take care, Hercules, not to have it down."
"I will be as careful as possible, Mr. Dick," submissively replied Hercules, as though he were afraid to commit himself to any rash promise.