All three stood leaning back against the weather bulwarks, craning their necks to see the better.

Claudius was a very large man, as has been said, and Barker did not believe it possible that he could drag his gigantic frame up the smooth mast beyond the shrouds.

If it were possible, he was quite willing to pay his money to see him do it.
Claudius put the woollen cap in his pocket, and began the ascent.

The steamer, as has been said, was schooner-rigged, with topsail yards on the foremast, but there were no ratlines in the main topmast shrouds, which were set about ten feet below the mast-head.

To this point Claudius climbed easily enough, using his arms and legs against the stiffened ropes.