Clif glanced aloft, where, indeed, all eyes were turned, and saw that the four cadets had almost reached the top.
Suddenly Nanny’s face, strained and eager, appeared over the edge of the wide top. He gave the pursuing cadets one rapid glance, then he scrambled into the rigging leading above and started to ascend.
“Stop! Come down out of that,” bellowed the executive officer, waving his spyglass.
The fugitive’s feet slipped and he was seen to sway outward. A frantic clutch at a stay saved him, however, and he continued upward.
“He will fall as sure as fate,” cried the paymaster, hoarsely.
Again Nanny slipped, and again did he regain his foothold. But it was evident his lack of experience would bring him into serious peril, and the spectators watched his uncertain progress with bated breath.
“He’ll never reach the crosstrees,” said Lieutenant Watson. “He is crazy. He will—— Oh! I thought he was gone then.”
“Mr. Blakely, don’t follow any farther,” he shouted. “Come back to the top.”
The senior cadet and his three companions halted instantly and slowly descended. Nanny quickly observed their change of action, and halted, swinging nervously from the ratlines.