EVERYBODY WATCHED HIM GO UP AND UP
“He was gone a trifle longer, and then back he came. It only took thirty-six minutes this time, because he was more used to it (beside the time it took to go up, of course, and the time he was above the clouds).
“‘Well?’ said the Captain.
“‘I tol’ ’em it was the chanty. And I asked to speak to the captain, an’ a big man said they hadn’t no captain,—they’re a Republic.’
“‘Then what?’ asked the Captain, as the Able Seaman paused.
“‘Then, I didn’t know who to ask for,—so I—’
“‘Thunder-ation!’ cried the Captain. ‘Did you come clear down here again, to ask me that? You go back—quick—and don’t you come down again till you finish your errand!’ And the Able Seaman said, ‘Ay, ay, sir,’—and all the other captains looked at each other and said, ‘Thunderation!’ or some other word that meant the same thing.
“Then the Able Seaman climbed up the mast again, and nearly all of them watched him. But some of the captains who had short necks couldn’t watch another minute, until one of them lay down on his back on the deck; then a good many of them did the same thing, and were more comfortable.
“And this time he was gone a long time—so long, the Captain was just going to send up the second-best able seaman to see what was the matter, when they saw him coming down. It took a little longer, because the leg of his trousers caught in the third twist of the rope, and he had to unwrap his leg and twist it around again. It took forty-one minutes this time, and it seemed forever to the captains! Three or four of them waited at the foot of the mast, and caught at him as he slid down.