Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1905-02-18


"Aye. aye. sir" replied the young ex
ecutive officer, and then lifting thu
trumpet to his lips, he called out will
a powerful voice: Lay aloft and loos'
the topgallant sails Man the topgal
liant sheets and halyards"
The crew, both watches being OF
deck, were busy with the various du
ties rendered necessary by the depar
ture of a ship upon a long cruise, anC
were occupied here and there with the
different details of work to be done
when ship gets under way. Some OF
them, their tasks accomplished for the
moment were standing on the fore
castle or peering through the gun
ports, gazing at the city, with the tall
Spire of Christ church and the more
substantial elevation Of the building
even then beginning to be known as
Independence hall rising in the back
ground beyond the shipping and over
the other buildings which they were so
rapidly leaving. In an instant the
quiet deck became a scene Of quick
activity. as the men left their tasks
and sprang to their appointed stations.
The long coils of rope were thrown
upon the deck and seized by the groups
of seamen detailed for the purpose,
while the rigging shook under the
quick steps Of the alert topmen spring
ing up the ratlines, swarming over the
tops and laying out on the yards.
without a thought Of the giddy eleya-
ton in their intense rivalry each to be
first
''The main royal also. Mr, Seymour"
continued the captain. 81 think she
will bear it. Ills a new and good
stick
''Aye, aye, sir. Main topgallant yard
there"
"Sir?'
"Aloft, one of you, and loose the
royal as we'll"
"Aye, aye, sir"
After few moments of quick work
the officers of the various masts in
Dictated their readiness for the next
order by saying in rapid succession:
"All ready the fore, SIR
"AI ready the main, sir"
SAIL ready the mizzen, sir"
Handsomely. now, and all together.
I want those Frenchmen there to see
how smartly we can do this" said the
captain in reply. addressing Seymour
In a tone perfectly audible over the
ship.
"Let fall! Lay in! Sheet home!
Hoist away! Tend the braces therey'
shouted the first lieutenant.
Amid the creaking of blocks, the
straining Of cordage and the lusty
heaying of the men, with the shrill
pipes of the boatswain and his mates
Tor an accompaniment, the sheets were
hauled home On the yards, the yards
rose on their respective masts, and the
light sails, the braces being hauled
taut, beIIied out in the strong breeze,
adding materially to the speed Of the
ship.
"Lay down from aloftr' cried the
lieutenant when all was over.
"Aye, that will do" remarked the
captain. I'VE go better already. l am
most anxious to get clear of the capes
before nightfall. Call the men aft
and request the officers to come up to
the quarter deck. l wish to speak to
them"
AYE, aye, sir Mr.. Wilton" said the
young officer. turning to young mid
Bhipman standing on the lee side of /
The deck, ''step below and ask the of |
dcers there and those forward to !
come on deck. Bentley" he called to !
the boatswain, "call all hands aft"
T.. "Aye, aye, sir"
Again the shrill whistling of the pipes
was heard. followed by the deep tones
OF Bentley. which rolled and tumbled .
along the decks Of the ship in the u.s.
nal long drawn, monotonous cry which !
could be heard above the roar Of the !
wind or the rush Of the water or the
straining of the timbers, from the
truck to d1e keelson, Cali hands lay
aft, to the quarter deck"
The captain, standing upon the poop
deck, was not at first glance particu-
aarly imposing figure. He was small
In stature, scarcely five and half feet
high at best, with his natural height
as is often the case with
sailors, by slight bending of the
back and, STOPPING Of the shoulders;
get he possessed we'll knit, vigorous
and not ungraceful figure, whose care
less poise and the ease with which he
maintained his position, with his
bands clasped behind his back. in spite
Of the rather heavy roll and pitch of
The ship in the very strong breeze, in
Heated long familiarity with the sea.
: The officers, gathered in little knot
IN the lee. side Of the quarter deck,
several midshfpmen among.tthem, were 1
worthy Of the crew and TIE command
r.
: 'fMen." said the captain. in clear,
arm voice. removing his cooked hat |
from his thick black hair, tied in q
cue and entirel ysdeyoid of powder,
Ne he looket#downsa them from the {
break sof sthe poop with his piercing {
back eyes. 1--WE are bound for Eng
aBh waters"- e
n