From Powder Monkey to Admiral | Page 7

instructions. Jack and Bill supposed that it was part of the regular
discipline of the ship; but Tom had not bargained for such treatment,
and informing Dick that he would not stand it, in consequence got a
double allowance.
He dared not venture to complain to his superiors, for he saw the
boatswain and the boatswain's mate using their colts with similar
freedom, and so he had just to grin and bear it.
At night, when the hammocks were piped down, the three went to
theirs in the forepart of the ship. Bill thought he had never slept in a
more comfortable bed in his life. Jack did not think much about the
matter; but Tom, who had always been accustomed to a well-made bed
at home, grumbled dreadfully when he tried to get into his, and tumbled
out three or four times on the opposite side before he succeeded.
Had it not been for Dick Brice, who slung their hammocks for them,
they would have had to sleep on the bare deck.
The next morning the gruff voice of the boatswain's mate summoned
all hands to turn out, and on going on deck they saw "Blue Peter" flying
at the fore, while shortly afterwards the Jews and all other visitors were
made to go down the side into the boats waiting for them. The captain
came on board, the sails were loosed, and while the fife was setting up
a merry tune, the seamen tramped round at the capstan bars, and the
anchor was hove up.
The wind being from the eastward, in the course of a few minutes the
gallant frigate, under all sail, was gliding down through the smooth
waters of the Solent Sea towards the Needles.
Tom and Bill had something fresh to wonder at every minute. It
dawned upon them by degrees that the forepart of the ship went first,
and that the wheel, at which two hands were always stationed, had
something to do with guiding her, and that the sails played an important
part in driving her on.

Jack had a great advantage over them, as he knew all this, and many
other things besides, and being a good-natured fellow, was always
ready to impart his knowledge to them.
By the time they had been three or four weeks at sea, they had learned a
great deal more, and were able to go aloft.
Bill had caught up to Jack, and had left Tom far behind. The same
talent which had induced him to mend his ragged clothes, made him do,
with rapidity and neatness, everything else he undertook, while he
showed a peculiar knack of being quick at understanding and executing
the orders he received.
Tom felt rather jealous that he should be surpassed by one he had at
first looked down on as little better than a beggar boy.
It never entered into Jack's head to trouble himself about the matter,
and if Bill was his superior, that was no business of his.
There were a good many other people on board, who looked down on
all three of them, considering that they were the youngest boys, and
were at everybody's beck and call.
As soon as the frigate got to sea the crew were exercised at their guns,
and Jack, Tom, and Bill had to perform the duty of powder-monkeys.
This consisted in bringing up the powder from the magazine in small
tubs, on which they had to sit in a row on deck, to prevent the sparks
getting in while the men were working the guns, and to hand out the
powder as it was required.
"I don't see any fun in firing away when there is no enemy in sight,"
observed Tom, as he sat on his tub at a little distance from Bill.
"There may not be much fun in it, but it's very necessary," answered
Bill. "If the men were not to practise at the guns, how could they fire
away properly when we get alongside an enemy? See! some of the
fresh hands don't seem to know much what they are about, or the
lieutenant would not be growling at them in the way he is doing. I am

keeping my eye on the old hands to learn how they manage, and before
long, I think, if I was big enough, I could stand to my gun as well as
they do."
Tom, who had not before thought of observing the crews of the guns,
took the hint, and watched how each man was engaged.
By being constantly exercised, the crew in a few weeks were well able
to work their guns; but hitherto they had fallen in with no enemy
against whom to exhibit their prowess.
A bright look-out was kept from the mast-head from sunrise