ll you have got a firm grip of this rope
here," said he, touching the shroud. I clutched hold of it: then up I
slipped my other hand, and, drawing up my knees, soon had them on the
combing of the top, and found myself standing alongside my companion. I
should have liked to have stopped to take breath and look about me; but,
before I could utter a word, he was off again, up the topmast-rigging,
with the agility of a monkey, and laughingly sung out to me to join him
on the cross-trees. I thought he would surely rest there, but away he
was again, nor did he stop till he had got hold of the main-truck; and,
as he clung on with his chin over it, he took off his cap and waved it
round his head. My blood was warmed with the exercise and the
excitement, and I was close after him. The moment he was down I took
his place, and did the same thing; but I had to be quick in following
him, not to miss the way he was leading. Down he slid by the
main-topmast-stay, and in an instant more he was climbing the
fore-topmast rigging. He waited for me, however, and waved me on. I
did not remark that two seamen, the oldest hands on board, were at the
same time deliberately mounting the fore-shrouds. Just as I reached the
fore-topmast cross-trees, they were up to me.

"You han't paid your footing up here, young master," said one, old Ben
Yool by name. He spoke in a gruff voice, as if he had not a soft
particle in his whole composition.

"You know what that means, master?" added the other, Charlie Cockle, as
he was called, imitating him.

"I don't know what you want, but I know that you are two to one, which
isn't fair, at all events; and, do you see, I am not accustomed to give
in to threats," said I, and endeavoured to climb away from them, not
knowing exactly where I was going.

The midge caught in a web might as well attempt to escape from a hungry
spider. They caught me in a moment; and, without further ceremony,
stretching out my arms and legs, lashed them to the topmast-rigging,
making what is called a spread eagle of me. It was very humiliating,
though my position was thus exalted, and very unromantic; and the rogue
Jerry aggravated my feelings by pretending to pity me, though I guessed
even then that he had arranged the plan beforehand with Yool and Cockle
thus to entrap me. The seamen had descended towards the deck, leaving
me bound in this ignominious manner. Jerry came and placed himself in
the rigging opposite to m