n, for he knew he would
gain the credit, and he was not above wishing that for himself, if it
could be obtained without too much trouble. He had come on deck with
his arms akimbo to give his orders, in a voice very different from that
in which he spoke when in his cabin or ashore, introducing as many
expletives and adjurations as the boatswain himself could have done. No
sooner had the sails been again loosed, and tacks and sheets hauled
down, than he sang out once more--

"Shorten sail. If you're not smart enough about it, I'll flog the last
man in off the yards."

The midshipmen had to furl the mizzen-topsail. We consequently flew
aloft with the rest. De Lisle, though active enough in general, didn't
at all like this, and chose to take his time about it. He was
consequently the last on deck. The captain had marked several of the
men for punishment, which they got the next morning, and took it as a
matter of course. The captain, however, said nothing to De Lisle, who
did not dream, therefore, that he would carry out his threats. He was
in the morning watch the next day, and had to turn out at eight bells to
assist in holy-stoning and washing down decks. This was always done
under the supervision of the first lieutenant, who appeared on such
occasions in an old sou'-wester, a jacket patched and darned, a
comforter round his throat, and a pair of blue trousers tucked up at the
knee, without shoes or stockings. The midshipmen had also to go about
with bare feet, as of course had the men. They, with buckets in hand,
were dashing the water over the decks to carry off the sand through the
scuppers, and then they had to dry the decks with huge swabs, which they
swung about, now bringing them down on one side, now on another, with
loud flops. When old Rough-and-Ready's eye was off them, all sorts of
larks would take place. One would heave a bucket of water over a
messmate, the other would return it with interest, and a battle royal
would ensue, till every one was soused through. Then one fellow would
bring his swab across the back of another, and a swab fight would
generally follow, till the first lieutenant would turn round and call
them to order.

De Lisle on this morning had not made his appearance. At length
Rough-and-Ready, recollecting him, sent below. He came up dressed in
full uniform.

"What are you after?" exclaimed the first lieutenant staring at him.
"Turn to at once, and attend to your duty."