"In bows!" cried the coxswain of the cutter as we neared the starboard
side of the old hulk to which the _Candahar_ was lashed; and, the next
minute, when close up to the foot of the accommodation ladder, the same
functionary shouted the usual orders on approaching to board a ship.
"Way enough. Oars!"
The oars were at once tossed, while the bowman gripped a projecting
ringbolt in the side of the hulk with his boathook to hold on by; and
the other cadets and myself, jumping out on to the ladderway, made our
way nimbly enough up to the deck of the mastless _Blake_, passing over
her by a gangway to the _Candahar_ that lay on her further side.
Here all was apparent confusion, stores of all sorts being hoisted in by
a derrick amidships from the dockyard lighters alongside and struck down
the main hatchway, while ropes and tackle of every description lumbered
the upper deck fore and aft.
Groups of men, clad in dirty overalls, were busy setting up the rigging
and getting the yards into position; and hoarse orders were shouted ever
and anon, followed by the shrill pipe of the boatswain's whistle and the
steady tramp of the hands as they walked round with the capstan and
swayed the heavy spars aloft, or hauled away at the gantlines and
steadying guys and purchase falls and other tackle.
The commander, the presiding spirit of the scene, if a smart officer,
has never a better opportunity for showing his smartness than when a
ship is fitting for sea; all the burthen of the work then falls upon his
shoulders, for he has to be here and there and everywhere, directing a
hundred different jobs at one and the same time.
As I went aft, and approached the hallowed ground of the quarter-deck, I
saw him standing under the break of the poop.
He was a fine, big, broad-shouldered west-countryman with the voice of a
stentor; and, although he was dressed in a somewhat shabby old uniform
coat and had his trousers tucked into his boots, he looked every inch a
gentleman, as he was, indeed, not only by birth, but by breeding.
"Come on board, sir," said I touching my cap, when a slight lull
occurred in the general din caused by the creaking blocks and groaning
tackle as the heavy spars were swayed aloft, and the continual tramp of
men along the deck "walking up the capstan" or hoisting at the whips
leading down into the hold. "I've just come on board, sir."
"Oh, you've come on board, youngster, eh?" he repeated questioningly,
slewing round in his tracks and bringing his piercing black eyes to bear
on my small person; when he looked me through and through, "taking my
measure" at a glance. "Ah, I see, you're one of our new cadets from the
_Illustrious_ come to report yourself, eh?"
"Yes, sir," I replied, smiling in response to the pleasant look on his
face. "I've come to join the _Candahar_, sir."
"What's your name, young gentleman?"