ok sharp and be spry on
shipboard. Did Bludson treat you well? Ah--that's good. Had a
pleasant time? I always want my men to enjoy themselves. I see you
have tidied up things here. You must keep this cabin clean, and also
these staterooms. You will also wait on the cabin table and take your
meals here."

The captain started for his own room, but looking back, said:

"Go forward, Neb will show you about making ready for supper."

From then on until flood tide, several hours later, both men and
officers were busy in stowing away and making things generally snug.

After his duties at the table were over, Ralph had little to do but to
watch what was going on around, which he did eagerly, striving to
master, as well as he could, the mystery and duties of the strange life
upon which he was entering.

As the hour grew late, only the watch on deck, together with the
officer in charge, remained above; that is except Ralph, who found
everything interesting. The first mate was in his berth, and the
captain writing in the cabin. Mr. Duff was walking to and fro near the
wheel, while in the forecastle the major part of the crew were in their
bunks.

It might have been near midnight. Ralph, having seated himself on the
step between the quarter and the main decks, had at last fallen into a
doze, with his head against the bulwarks.

Captain Gary came up, cast a look about and then consulted his watch.

"We might as well make sail, Mr. Duff," said he in a low tone. "Call
all hands."

Then he returned to the cabin. A moment later Bludson's shrill whistle
aroused Ralph with a start.

The deck became alive with moving figures in answer to the boatswain's
hoarse summons.

"Hoist away with a will, men. Yo--heave--ho! Up she goes."

To such and similar cries, Ralph saw the great main sail unfold its
vast expanse in obedience to the measured hauling of a line of men, who
uttered a monotonous half shout as they bent to the work. Another gang
soon had the foresail going upward, after which the capstan was manned.

To Ralph these proceedings were thrillingly attractive. It was his
first bewildering taste of the duties of a sailor's life.

As the men pushed with a will at the capstan bars, and the ship drew
toward her anchor, some one struck up a song that ran somewhat as
follows:

"A bucklin' wind and a swashin' tide,
Yo ho, ho, boys, yo ho, ho!
If I had Nancy by my side,
With a yo ho, ho, ho, boys,