while her bottom was covered with grass a foot at least in length.
Still I knew that not a moment was to be lost; the service I was
required to perform was of the greatest importance, and I was not to be
deterred by difficulties. I unmoored her immediately, got her alongside
the dockyard wharf, and began taking some ballast which I found there on
board before anyone was up. Then I sent Grampus to rouse up the
authorities, whose aid I required. Fortunately the sudden outbreak of
war kept people on the alert, so that I had less difficulty in getting
assistance than would have otherwise been the case.

Soon after daybreak the deck of the Dolphin presented a scene of
ant-like industry. Gangs of negroes were hurrying backwards and
forwards with coils of rope and spars and sails; others were rolling
down kegs of water, and others casks of beef and pork and biscuit, and
packages of other comestibles, while the riggers were at work getting
the rigging over the mast-heads, setting it up, bending on sails, and my
own people were below, stowing away the various articles as they came on
board. I made a list of essentials, and took good care to see that they
came on board and were stowed where they were to be found, or very
likely I should have gone to sea without them. I saw to everything
myself, or sent Grampus to ascertain that people were losing no time in
executing my orders. I left nothing to chance. I met with no little
grumbling from some of the slow-going officials.

"What a hurry you are in, sir!" said one or two of them, who dared not,
however, openly disobey my authority.

"Yes, my friend," I answered, laughing, "that's natural to me; and just
now I am in as great a hurry as I ever was in my life; so be smart, if
you please, and keep your people moving."

That is the way I managed. I did not swear or abuse them, but if I
found anyone slow I pulled out the admiral's order and said that the
work must be done faster.

"Impossible, sir!" answered another official to one of my demands; "it
cannot be done. In two or three days we may get the matter settled for
you."

"Impossible! In two or three days do you say?" I exclaimed, looking
fixedly at him. "In two or three hours you mean. Impossible,--I don't
understand that word, nor does Sir Peter, depend on that. If the things
are not on board in three hours I shall report you. I don't want to be
severe, my friend, but I am in earnest."

The gentleman unde