ondition of affairs on
deck; but nothing was to be heard, save the occasional clank of the
wheel-chains, and the low humming of a song by the helmsman.

"It is all curiously quiet on deck," whispered George to his two
companions; "I can't quite make it out; it undoubtedly means one of two
things, however--either they are keeping a very strict and careful
watch, or none at all; we shall soon see which. Now, Cross, stand by to
give me a hoist, if I seem to require it; I will go first, and as soon
as I am fairly out of the way, Mr Bowen can follow."

Kicking off his boots and stockings, the skipper thereupon, without
further ado, mounted the lockers, and passing his body cautiously out of
the weathermost stern-port, held on by the edge of the port with one
hand, whilst he reached out and felt for the brace-iron with the other.
This he soon found, and grasping it firmly with his right hand, began to
work himself cautiously towards it. The task he had set himself proved,
however, to be much more difficult than he had expected; the rake of the
ship's stern so greatly interfering with his freedom of motion that at
first he feared he would be obliged to abandon the attempt altogether,
as he foresaw that, the moment he released his hold upon the edge of the
port, he must infallibly swing off backwards, and, unless he could
manage to retain his grasp of the iron, drop overboard. So he slipped
in through the port again, to explain this difficulty to the mates, and
to caution them to be careful when it came to their turn, and then
resumed his attempt.

Once more securing a firm grasp upon the brace-iron, he watched the roll
of the ship, and, seizing the first favourable opportunity, boldly swung
himself off into the air, where he hung suspended by one arm, with his
feet almost touching the water. In another moment he had both hands
upon the iron, and, giving himself a vigorous upward swing, he was soon
able to throw his feet over the tautly-strained main-brace. To scramble
up and place himself astride the brace-block was now an easy task, and,
settling himself firmly there, he prepared to assist the chief mate,
when he should make his appearance.

He had not long to wait. Hardly was he comfortably established in his
comparatively safe position, when a hand appeared from behind the
quarter-piece in search of the iron. George promptly seized and guided
it to the object of its search, then firmly grasped the wrist with one