a moment's notice.

The carpenter, too, stood by the pumps, and Dr Nettleby, with Mr
Macgilpin and Mr Leech, the two assistant-surgeons, had all the
contents of their surgical cases--most murderous-looking instruments
they were, too--spread out on the wardroom and gunroom tables, as well
as plenty of lint and bandages for dressing; while Corporal Macan, with
a working party of marines, were told off to act as stretcher bearers,
and supply hospital aid to the imaginary wounded.

The remainder of the "jollies" were drawn up in martial array on the
after part of the poop, under the command of Captain Targetts and
Lieutenants Wagstaff and Shunter of the same serviceable corps; all of
the men spick and span in their full regimentals and appearing as smart
as if on the parade ground at Forton; although, but a few minutes
previously, most of the poor fellows had been washing plates and mess
traps, and performing other menial duties below.

Young as I was, I could not help observing all this, and noting, as the
commander had pointed out to me, how, thanks to a rigid discipline and
the inexorable regularity, almost like that of a machine, with which the
routine of duty is conducted on board a man-of-war, every officer and
man, from the captain down to the smallest "powder-monkey," was in his
proper place and at his station before the rat-tat-tat of the drum had
ceased reverberating fore and aft; albeit, most of the hands had only
recently joined the ship, while some, indeed, had never before been to
sea.

Of course, there was a good deal of scurrying to and fro and apparent
confusion whilst the men were getting to their stations, the hasty
trampling of feet along the decks and the scrambling up of hatchways,
some snatching their rifles from the arm racks and belting on their
cutlasses as they hurried by, slinging their cartridge pouches over
their shoulders at the run; and, meanwhile, Commander Nesbitt, with my
insignificant self by his side, remained at the end of the poop-rail,
taking in everything that went on with his quick-glancing, watchful eye,
waiting quietly till all the preparations were complete.

"Bosun's mate!" he sang out when all were ready. "Pipe the hands to
secure the guns for sea!"

This was a sad come down from all the grand things which some new to the
game expected; but, as we all learnt within a very short time of our
novitiate, life at sea is a series of surprises, and, if the ruling
maxim be "To