“With pleasure,” replied Miss Celia. “But what did you say you were going to do?”
“Loose and furl the sails,” replied the captain, as he conducted the fair miss to the quarter-deck, where they were followed by Mr. Lowington and the rest of the party.
“Mr. Judson,” said the commander.
“Here, sir,” replied the first lieutenant.
“Call all hands to loose and furl.”
“All hands, sir,” responded Judson, touching his cap to his superior, as all on board were required to do.
“They are all swells,” said Clyde to his man.
“All hands, loose sails!” shouted the boatswain, as he blew the proper blast on his whistle.
In a few moments every officer and seaman was at his station for the manœuvre indicated by the call. The students, aware that they were simply to “show off,” were fully determined to astonish the wondering crowd on the decks.
“Stand by to lay aloft, the ready-men!” shouted the first lieutenant, as he received the order from the captain.