There was no gleam of light, but I could hear the patter of feet, and imagined seeing dim moving figures.

A rather high-pitched voice was giving orders, and enough of his words reached me to convince that other men were aloft on the main yard.

Believing my best policy would be to join those busied on deck, just as though I belonged among them, I crept down the forecastle ladder, and worked my way aft beneath the black shadow of the port rail, until able thus to drift unnoticed into a group tailing on to a mainsail halliard.

The fellow next to me, without releasing his grip, turned his head and stared, but without discerning my features.
"Whar the hell did yer cum' frum ?" he growled, and I as instantly recognized Bill Haines.

"Been sojerin', have yer?
Well, now, damn yer eyes! lay too an' pull." Before I could attempt an answer, a tall figure loomed up before us, the same high-pitched voice I had noticed previously calling out sharply: "There, that's enough, men! Now make fast.