In making, or furling, or reefing sail a certain number of men—in this case cadets—are selected as topmen. It is their duty to run aloft and to man the yards. To lay out and reef or furl, or to handle ropes in the top.
At the first warning command they spring upon the nettings and mount the lower part of the shrouds.
They are supposed to wait patiently and in line for the word of command, but do race horses wait patiently at the post!
They slyly creep up several ratlines until the vigilant eye of the first lieutenant catches them, then they reluctantly drop back, only to spring aloft again at the first word from the trumpet.
Once given they risk their necks to gain the top. Arriving there, they stand ready and wait like champing steeds for the command:
“Lay out!”
In the meantime those below stationed at the fife and pin rails are to do all in their power to ease off the different halliards and clew lines and the various running gear.
This latter task, under the careful supervision of several trained first class men, belongs to the plebes.
It is too soon in the cruise for the latter to trust their precious lives above the deck, so they pull and haul and try their inexperienced best to bring their part of the ship in first in this race of knowledge and brawn.
The topsails are reefed and spread again to the breeze. The sea is calm, and the blue sky overhead holds no threatening cloud.