It was time he threw it off.
During the first week of service, with his crew about him, he explained to them in minute detail their several duties.

Each day in the week would have its special work: Monday would be beach drill, practising with the firing gun and line and the safety car.

Tuesday was boat drill; running the boat on its wagon to the edge of the sea, unloading it, and pushing it into the surf, each man in his place, oars poised, the others springing in and taking their seats beside their mates.

On Wednesdays flag drills; practising with the international code of signals, so as to communicate with stranded vessels.

Thursdays, beach apparatus again.