The navy-yard tender was alongside; and the ladies were assisted on board of her by the officers, while the seamen under the direction of Mr.
Makepeace were heaving up the anchor.
"Cable up and down, sir," reported the second lieutenant.
This was the signal for the departure of the tender; and another hasty adieu followed, when the commander and the chief engineer hastened to the deck.

The men forward had suspended their labor when the cable was up and down.

The commander gave the order to weigh the anchor.

The tide was still on the flood, and the head of the ship was pointed very nearly in the direction she was to sail.
"Anchor aweigh, sir!" reported Mr.Makepeace.
"Strike one bell, Mr.Baskirk," said Christy; and the order was repeated to the quartermaster who was conning the wheel.
The screw of the St.Regis began to turn, and she went ahead very slowly.

The tender was a short distance from her, and all the ladies were waving their handkerchiefs with all their might; and their signals were returned, not only by Christy and Paul, but by all the officers on deck.