Every few minutes one could hear the hoarse orders given as the men scampered hither and thither to man the ropes.

The oaths, blows, and fighting on this watch, kept both the captain and Paul awake.

Seeing the captain turn out of his bunk and light his pipe, Paul remarked: "They are having a pretty warm time on deck." "Yes," responded the skipper, "I presume Stanley is drilling some of those landmen." At eight bells, when Paul's watch on deck commenced, he relieved the second mate, who was in a towering rage at the stupidity of his watch.
The vessel was then under reefed topsails only and prepared for the uncertain squalls that were driving all around.

At daylight Paul ordered hands aloft to shake out the reefs and set top gallants.

As the top sail was raised he noticed dark blotches all across it and hailing the man aloft he asked him what caused them.
"Blood, sir," answered the sailor.
Paul well understood the meaning of it and knew it to be the work of the second mate, who had beaten the men over the head with a belaying pin while they were reefing.