We found it rather difficult to march straight and keep a good line on a swaying deck.

So we were kept at it until we had got the hang of it.

We were still parading to and fro on the spar deck, when some one sighted land off the starboard bow.

The dismissal call was given none too soon, for the curiosity as to what we were heading for made discipline lax and attention far from close.
We soon learned that this was Block Island.
The gig was lowered, and the captain and mail orderly went ashore.
"Now we'll get our real orders," said Potter.

"Ho! for the Spanish main," he shouted, forgetting his narrow escape of the day before.
"It will be Ho! for the ship's brig, and Ho! for five days on bread and water, if you don't look out," said "Stump," dryly.
About dark, the gig came back again, bringing the captain in it and the mail orderly--but no mail, and how we did long for a word from home.