was down and the purchase
in the top; then, the standing part of the tackle was made fast to the
yard pendant and the spar swayed up, as the men walked away with the
fall, which was rove through a snatchblock hooked on to a ringbolt fixed
in the deck and led to the capstan.

Ere a quarter-of-an-hour had elapsed, the yard was slung and firmly
secured, with the halliards and braces rigged in proper fashion.

In the middle of the operation, however, the attention of the
hard-worked commander was called in another direction.

A fat, heavy, seafaring-looking man in a short pilot jacket came up to
him as he was uttering rapid commands to the sailors aloft in stentorian
accents from the poop-rail.

"Beg pardon, sir," said this gentleman, whom I presently learnt was Mr
Quadrant, the master, or navigating officer of the ship; one who used in
the old days to have charge of all the material on board a man-of-war,
just as the commander looks after the crew. "None of those stores, sir,
have come off from the dockyard that were promised this morning, and all
my hands are idle below. What am I to do, sir?"

"Send a boat at once to the storekeeper, to lodge a complaint."

"Yes, sir. But, there's only the jollyboat left, sir, now, besides the
dinghy. All the others are ashore."

"Well, send the jollyboat; and, I say, Mr Quadrant," added Commander
Nesbitt as the master was waddling off down the companionway, "tell the
midshipman who goes with the boat that if the things are not sent aboard
at once, he is to make application at the Admiral's office, complaining
of the delay. P'raps, though, you'd better go yourself, eh?"

"I will if you like, sir," sighed the master, who had already had too
much exercise between decks and up and down the hatchways to feel
enamoured of a walk ashore over the rough cobblestones of the dockyard.
"But, I don't think they'll hurry any the more for me than they would
for a middy, sir. He would be able, too, sir, to cheek the yard people
all the better, sir."

"Just as you please, Mr Quadrant," returned the commander in a decided
tone. "I should prefer, however, your going yourself to sending any
other officer." This was equivalent to an order; and the master with a
deep groan disappeared, only to make room for Mr Nipper, the purser.

This gentleman came across the gangway from the hulk--on board of which
we were all berthed while our own ship was fitting out. He seemed in a
great heat, as if