There is no grumbling because of disturbed sleep, for a rumor has gone about the ship that Spanish vessels have been seen off the coast, and even the cranks on board admit that drills and exercises are necessary.
Sea watches have been set, and the rules followed when under way are now operative.

A brief explanation of the routine attending the first hours of a naval day may help to make succeeding descriptions more plain.

The ship's daily life commences with the calling of the ship's cook at 3:30 a.m.The ordinary mess cooks are awakened at four o'clock, so that coffee can be prepared for the watch.

Coffee is always served with hard-tack to the watch coming on deck at four.

It is all the men get until breakfast at 7:30, and a great deal of work must be accomplished before that time.
After the hard-tack and coffee had been consumed--and it went to that spot always reserved for good things--the lookouts of the other watch on the port and starboard bridge and the patent life buoys port and starboard quarter were relieved.