The water boiled and bubbled about them; the galley shook in every timber, and stopped as if scared.

Another gesture of the hand, and again the oars arose, feathered, and fell; but this time those on the right, dropping towards the stern, pushed forward; while those on the left, dropping towards the bow, pulled backwards.

Three times the oars thus pushed and pulled against each other.

Round to the right the ship swung as upon a pivot; then, caught by the wind, she settled gently broadside to the mole.
The movement brought the stern to view, with all its garniture--Tritons like those at the bow; name in large raised letters; the rudder at the side; the elevated platform upon which the helmsman sat, a stately figure in full armor, his hand upon the rudder-rope; and the aplustre, high, gilt, carved, and bent over the helmsman like a great runcinate leaf.
In the midst of the rounding-to, a trumpet was blown brief and shrill, and from the hatchways out poured the marines, all in superb equipment, brazen helms, burnished shields and javelins.
While the fighting-men thus went to quarters as for action, the sailors proper climbed the shrouds and perched themselves along the yard.

The officers and musicians took their posts.