On the morning of the fourth day out, Chester Lawrence stood watching the antics of a young man, who, coatless and hatless, and made brave by too many visits to the bar, was running up the rope ladders of the mast to a dangerous height.

He climbed up to where the ladder met the one on the other side, down which he scrambled with the agility of a monkey.
The ladies in the group on deck gasped in fright at his reckless daring.
The fellow jumped to the deck from the rail, and made a sweeping bow to the spectators: "Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "'tis nothing at all, I assure you.

On shore I am a circus performer, an' I was just practicing a little.

Have no fear.

See--" He was about to make a second exhibition when a ship's officer seized him, threatening to lock him up if he did not desist.
"O, certainly, if its against the rules," he replied meekly.