[Outward Bound by Oliver Optic]@TWC D-Link book
Outward Bound

CHAPTER VI
13/17

A band of music, engaged for the day, came off, and the enlivening strains of the national airs sounded through the ship.
At seven o'clock, when all hands had breakfasted, an hour earlier than usual, the crew were piped to muster, wondering, as they always did, what was going to be done.
"All hands, up anchor ahoy!" shouted the boatswain prompted by the first lieutenant; but this order was so common in the every-day practice of the crew, that no one supposed it had any unusual significance; and some of the boys even began to grumble at being compelled to go through the routine of ship's work on the Fourth of July.
"Bring to on the cable, and unbitt!" continued the officer in command.
"Ship the capstan bars, and swifter them! Heave in the cable to a short stay!" These orders were duly executed, under the direction of the various officers at their stations.
"Avast heaving!" called the first master.

"Anchor apeak, sir," he reported to the first lieutenant.
"Pawl the capstan, stopper the cable, and unship the bars!" added the executive officers, all of which was done, and duly reported.
"Stations for loosing topsails!" which were shaken out by the ordinary routine, sheeted home, and hoisted up.
"Forecastlemen, loose the head sails! After-guard, clear away the spanker! Man the capstan bars, ship and swifter them! Heave around!" This last was a manoeuvre which the crew had never before been called upon to perform; and the order sent a thrill of delight to all hearts.
The cable had often been heaved to a short stay, that is, so that it run nearly up and down; but that was as far as they had ever before been permitted to proceed.

Now, with the anchor apeak, they were ordered to the capstan again, and they realized that the Young America was actually going to sea.

The command kindled an enthusiasm which glowed on every face.

The ship was going out of the harbor, and the evil doers in the mess rooms below were to be pitied.
"Anchor aweigh, sir," reported the excited boatswain who, however, had to be prompted in this instance by Peaks, for it had never been in that position before since it first hooked the mud in Brockway harbor.
"Anchor aweigh, sir," repeated the second lieutenant.
"Man the jib and flying-jib halyards!" said the first lieutenant.
"Anchor's at the bow, sir," said the boatswain, which report went through the same channels as before, till it reached the executive officer.
"Hoist away on the jib and flying-jib halyards! Avast heaving! Pawl the capstan! Stopper the cable! Cat and fish the anchor!" shouted the first lieutenant.


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