As soon as the hammocks were a' up, and put awa in the nettings on deck, the capstan bars were shipped and manned, and the chief mate shouted down the hatchway—
"Are you all ready there below?"
"All ready, sir!" replied the third mate.
"Heave taut for unbitting!"
As soon as the cable was unbitted, "Heave round!" was the cry from the lower-deck.
"Heave round!" said the mate; "step out, my hearts!"
The fifes struck up "The girl I left behind me," the men stamped round the capstan with a cheerful, steady step, and in a very short time the cable was nearly up and doun.
"Up and down, sir!" shouted the boatswain from the forecastle.
"Heave and paul!" cried the chief mate. "Out bars, out bars! bear a hand, my lads!—Up there, topmen—loose sails! Send everybody up from below to make sail!"
"Ay, ay, sir!"