in
while the men were working the guns, and to hand out the powder as it
was required.

"I don't see any fun in firing away when there is no enemy in sight,"
observed Tom, as he sat on his tub at a little distance from Bill.

"There may not be much fun in it, but it's very necessary," answered
Bill. "If the men were not to practise at the guns, how could they fire
away properly when we get alongside an enemy? See! some of the fresh
hands don't seem to know much what they are about, or the lieutenant
would not be growling at them in the way he is doing. I am keeping my
eye on the old hands to learn how they manage, and before long, I think,
if I was big enough, I could stand to my gun as well as they do."

Tom, who had not before thought of observing the crews of the guns, took
the hint, and watched how each man was engaged.

By being constantly exercised, the crew in a few weeks were well able to
work their guns; but hitherto they had fallen in with no enemy against
whom to exhibit their prowess.

A bright look-out was kept from the mast-head from sunrise to sunset for
a strange sail, and it was not probable that they would have to go long
without falling in with one, for England had at that time pretty nearly
all the world in arms against her. She had managed to quarrel with the
Dutch, and was at war with the French and Spaniards, while she had
lately been engaged in a vain attempt to overcome the American colonies,
which had thrown off their allegiance to the British Crown.

Happily for the country, her navy was staunch, and many of the most
gallant admirals whose names have been handed down to fame commanded her
fleets; the captains, officers, and crews, down to the youngest
ship-boys, tried to imitate their example, and enabled her in the
unequal struggle to come off victorious.

The _Foxhound_ had for some days been cruising in the Bay of Biscay, and
was one morning about the latitude of Ferrol. The watch was employed in
washing down decks, the men and boys paddling about with their trousers
tucked up to their knees, some with buckets of water, which they were
heaving about in every direction, now and then giving a shipmate, when
the first lieutenant's eye was off them, the benefit of a shower-bath:
others were wielding huge swabs, slashing them down right and left, with
loud thuds, and ill would it have fared with any incautious landsman who
might have got within their reach. The men were laughing and