“How did you get away from that mixup on the quarter-deck, Clif?” queried Toggles. “When I reached the main deck ladder you had disappeared over the side. How was it?”
“Easy enough, chum. When I saw how scared the lieutenant was a bright idea struck me. I crawled through the nearest port to the starboard main chains and swung down against the ship’s side. I saw the officer look over, then, when he turned away, I reached the gangway and slipped forward. Now let us turn in and give Crane a rest.”
And they did.
CHAPTER IV. MORE HAZING.
“That isn’t a clew line, you lubber.”
“I—I thought——”
“What’s that? Thought? How dare you think? Shade of Farragut! What’s the service coming to? A confounded measly plebe—a worm of a function—thinking! It’s dreadful to contemplate.”
“Please, sir, I didn’t mean——”