Montrose_.

The weather was fair enough, and we went along very steadily and
pleasantly that afternoon. I was undoubtedly getting my sea-legs, which
was well for me, as they were put to the test unexpectedly. I happened
to be standing near Alister (we were tarring ropes), when some orders
rang out in Mr. Waters' voice, which I found had reference to something
to be done to some of the sails. At last came the words "Away aloft!"
which were responded to by a rush of several sailors, who ran and leaped
and caught ropes and began climbing the rigging with a nimbleness and
dexterity which my own small powers in that line enabled me to
appreciate, as I gazed upwards after them. The next order bore
unexpected and far from flattering references to me.

"Hi, there. Francis!"

"Aye, aye, sir!"

"Take that gaping booby up with you. I hear he's 'good at athletics.'"

The sailors who were rope-tarring sniggered audibly, and Alister lifted
his face with a look of anxiety, that did as much as the sniggering to
stimulate me not to disgrace myself.

"Kick off your shoes, and come along," said Francis. "Jump on the
bulwarks and then follow me. Look aloft--that's up, ye know--never mind
your feet, but keep tight hold of the ratlins--so, with your hands, and
when you _are_ up aloft, don't let one hand go till you're sure of your
hold with the other."

Up we went, gripping the swaying ropes with toes and fingers, till we
reached the main-top, where I was allowed to creep through the "Lubber's
Hole," and Francis swung himself neatly over the outside edge of the
top, and there he and I stood for a few minutes to rest.

I cannot say I derived much comfort from his favourable comments on my
first attempt. I was painfully absorbed by realizing that to climb what
is steady, and to climb what is swaying with every wave, are quite
different things. Then, in spite of warnings, I was fascinated by the
desire to look down; and when I looked I felt more uncomfortable than
ever; the ship's deck was like a dancing tea-tray far below; my legs
and arms began to feel very light, and my head heavy, and I did not hear
what Francis was saying to me, so he pinched my arm and then repeated
it.

"Come along--and if the other chaps put any larks on you, keep your eyes
open, and never lose a grip by one hand somewhere. So long as you hold
on to some of the ship's ropes you're bound to find your way back
somehow."

"I'll try," I said.

Then t