“I’d like to humor his back with a rope’s end!” exclaimed the captain. “This is the most ridiculous experience I ever had. Fancy a cadet skipping aloft and defying the whole ship’s company. It is simply outrageous. Mr. Faraday!”
“Yes, sir.”
Clif stepped forward and saluted respectfully. He appeared calm, but a gleam in his eyes indicated that he labored under some excitement.
“Run aloft and persuade that silly boy to come down,” ordered the captain, gruffly. “Tell him we won’t hang him to the yardarm to-day. And just add that he is making a fool of himself and that it will have a bad effect on his future record.”
Clif saluted again and sprang into the shrouds. As he passed Cadet Corporal Sharpe he gave that youth a look that spoke volumes.
“He’s the cause of all this trouble,” muttered Clif, as he nimbly ascended the rigging. “If any harm comes to poor Nanny I’ll square accounts with him as sure as fate.”
It did not take him long to reach the foretop. Climbing through the lubber’s hole, he stood up and looked aloft. Nanny was midway to the crosstrees.
His face was rather pale, and the hands grasping the ratlines trembled perceptibly. It was evident that he was still badly frightened. Clif motioned him to come down to the top.