"Orderly, ask Mr. Staples to step this way, if he has finished his dinner."
Another salute, and the man turned on his heels and marched out.
"Mr. Staples," said the commander, as the former came in, "at four bells we will have 'man overboard' drill. We shall anchor to-night about ten miles off Nantucket. I shall come on the bridge and con the ship myself when we sight the Shovelful Lightship, and I shall be glad to have you with me, passing the Shoal. The next time we go over this course I shall let you take the ship through the passage yourself."
"Very well, sir." And the executive, being in sight of the waiters and the orderly, as well as the surgeon, who just then passed through the cabin, saluted formally and retired.
On deck, forward and in the waist of the ship, the men were busy at various tasks, burnishing brass-work, making fast the lashings of the guns, overhauling rigging and such naval apparatus as the warrant officers knew would be needed on this short cruise. But few of the crew—over a hundred in all—were below, although only the watch were actually on duty.
In passing one of the seamen, who was polishing the rail, Oshima, on his way to the galley, accidentally hit the man with his elbow.
"Clear out, will you?" said the seaman with an oath. At the same time he gave the little Jap a shove that sent him reeling.
"Oh, take a fellow of your size, Sam!" cried one of the watch standing near.
"He ran into me! I'll take him and you, too, if you say much," retorted the first speaker morosely.