s called on the entire starboard watch to obey his orders; for
only a quarter watch was required to handle the ship under ordinary
circumstances, the other portion of the watch being idlers on deck. The
light sails were taken in; and Mr. Lowington made no comment, as he
sometimes did, after an evolution had been performed, in order to
express his approval or otherwise of the action of the captain.

The Josephine was most strangely deficient in caution on the present
occasion, and the principal was evidently much disturbed by the conduct
of her captain, who was usually very prudent, without being timid. There
she was, with all her extra sail set and flapping in the calm, while a
tempest was brewing before her.

"Captain Kendall must be asleep," said Mr. Lowington, nervously, to
Peaks, the adult boatswain of the ship.

"And the officers too," replied the old salt, hitching up his trousers.
"We ought to fire a gun to wake them up."

"It is not like Captain Kendall to be caught napping when a squall is
gathering," added the principal.

"I should think the thunder would wake them up. It's heavy for these
parts. That squall will come all at once when it does come. It will take
their sails right out of the bolt-ropes."

Mr. Lowington walked aft again, and on the quarter-deck met Flag-officer
Gordon, who had also been observing the Josephine, and wondering at her
continued neglect of the most ordinary precautions.

"Mr. Lavender," said the commander of the squadron.

The midshipman, ever ready to do the meagre duties assigned to him,
touched his cap to Captain Gordon.

"Pass the word for the signal-officer," added the flag-officer.

"That's right, Captain Gordon!" exclaimed the principal. "If the
officers of the Josephine don't do better than this, they must be
broken. I am astonished."

"So am I, sir. Captain Kendall is usually very careful, and what he
don't see isn't worth seeing."

"Be as expeditious as possible, for the squall will soon be upon us."

The signal-officer appeared with the midshipman and quartermaster in
charge of the signals. Captain Gordon ordered the number, "Take in
sail," to be set.

Paul Kendall was severely criticised on board of the ship; but, before
he has suffered too much in the estimation of his sympathizing friends,
let our readers be transferred to the steerage of the Josephine, in
which, as the consort of the Academy Ship, the same rules and
regulations prevailed. The port watc