h two or three exceptions, the ship was at anchor when
you slept. Of course that is not practicable on a long voyage, and you
must all do duty by night as well as by day.

"This has been a difficult matter to arrange, for you are all too young
to be deprived of your regular sleep, though in heavy weather I am
afraid you will lose your rest to some extent. At eight o'clock this
evening the starboard watch will be on duty. We have four times as many
hands on board the Young America as are usually employed in merchant
ships, so that a quarter watch will be able to handle the ship on all
ordinary occasions. We shall, therefore, keep a quarter watch on ship's
duty at all times through the twenty-four hours.

"During the night, including the time from eight in the evening until
eight in the morning, each quarter watch will be on duty two hours, and
then off six hours; and each hand will obtain six consecutive hours'
sleep every night. At eight this evening, the first part of the
starboard watch will have the ship in charge, and all others may turn in
and sleep. At ten, the second part of the starboard watch will be
called, without disturbing any others. At twelve, the first part of the
port watch will be summoned; at two, the second part; and so on till
eight in the morning.

"The first part of the starboard watch, which turned in at ten, will
sleep till four, giving them six hours of rest all together, and they
may turn in again at six o'clock, when relieved by the second part, and
sleep till half past seven, which is breakfast time for those off duty.

"During the daytime, from eight in the morning till eight in the
evening, the same routine will be observed To-morrow, at eight in the
morning, the first part of the port watch will take charge of the ship
till ten; the second part will be off duty, and the time will be their
own, to use as they think proper. At ten, the second part will be in
charge, and the first will have their own time till twelve. All the
starboard watch, during these four hours, will study and recite. In the
afternoon the same course will be pursued with the other watch. Do you
understand it?"

"Yes, sir," replied the boys.

"By this arrangement you will average three hours of duty every night.
To-night the port watch will be on deck two hours, and the starboard
watch, whose turn will come twice, four hours; but to-morrow night the
operation will be reversed, and the port will have the deck four h