“And may the stewpans have mercy on your head,” added Joy, grimly.
Crane, still making desperate efforts to escape, was trussed anew with a length of rope, then the four plebes lifted him up the ladders to the gun deck.
This part of the Monongahela was occupied by the regular enlisted crew who assisted the cadets in working the ship. Nothing was to be feared from them, as they had no desire to interfere with cadet pranks.
Cautiously and with very little noise the quartet carried the victim aft to a door leading into the steerage, or junior officers’ quarters. It was a large apartment, containing several berths and space for hammocks.
In the center was the ladder leading to the quarter-deck, and it was up this ladder the daring plebes intended to take Crane.
Nanny, armed with pans and cups, was met at the door. The tins were fastened to various parts of Crane’s body and held tightly to avoid the making of unwelcome noise.
“We will carry him up the ladder and place him on the top step,” explained Clif, in a low whisper. “Then while you fellows are scooting out of the way I’ll cut the ropes and give him a shove over the coaming.”
“And he’ll fall flat in the midst of all those tins,” grinned Nanny. “By Jinks! this is the greatest fun I’ve had in a year of Sundays.”
“But we won’t see the fun,” complained Toggles.