It was too dark to distinguish faces, and to one who had never been on board of a ship, too dark to move, so Jack stood where he was, which was not far from the main bitts; but he did not stay long; the boat had been hooked on to the quarter davits, and the boatswain had called out--"Set taut, my lads!" And then with the shrill whistle, and "Away with her!" forward came galloping and bounding along, the men with the tackles; and in the dark Jack was upset, and half a dozen marines fell upon him; the men, who had no idea that an officer was floored among the others, were pleased at the joke, and continued to dance over those who were down, until they rolled themselves out of the way.

Jack, who did not understand this, fared badly, and it was not till the calls piped belay that he could recover his legs, after having been trampled upon by half the starboard watch, and the breath completely jammed out of his body, Jack reeled to a carronade slide, when the officers who had been laughing at the lark as well as the men, perceived his situation--among others, Mr Sawbridge, the first lieutenant.
"Are you hurt, Mr Easy ?" said he, kindly.
"A little," replied Jack, catching his breath.
"You've had but a rough welcome," replied the first lieutenant, "but at certain times, on board ship, it is every man for himself, and God for us all.

Harpur," continued the first lieutenant to the doctor, "take Mr Easy down in the gun-room with you, and I will be down myself as soon as I can.

Where is Mr Jolliffe ?" "Here, sir," replied Mr Jolliffe, a master's mate, coming aft from the booms.
"There is a youngster come on board with the captain.

Order one of the quarter-masters to get a hammock slung." In the meantime Jack went down into the gun-room, where a glass of wine somewhat recovered him.