One night during the second mate's watch, the vessel
was struck by a number of baffling squalls that seemed to come from
every direction. This necessitated constant trimming of the sails and
the men were kept hard at work. Every few minutes one could hear the
hoarse orders given as the men scampered hither and thither to man the
ropes. The oaths, blows, and fighting on this watch, kept both the
captain and Paul awake. Seeing the captain turn out of his bunk and
light his pipe, Paul remarked: "They are having a pretty warm time on
deck."
"Yes," responded the skipper, "I presume Stanley is drilling some of
those landmen."
At eight bells, when Paul's watch on deck commenced, he relieved the
second mate, who was in a towering rage at the stupidity of his watch.
The vessel was then under reefed topsails only and prepared for the
uncertain squalls that were driving all around. At daylight Paul ordered
hands aloft to shake out the reefs and set top gallants. As the top sail
was raised he noticed dark blotches all across it and hailing the man
aloft he asked him what caused them.
"Blood, sir," answered the sailor.
Paul well understood the meaning of it and knew it to be the work of the
second mate, who had beaten the men over the head with a belaying pin
while they were reefing.
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