As the time approached when we were to board the "Yankee" for good, the
ordinary watches were abandoned, and only anchor watches kept. An anchor
watch is a detail of five or six men, selected from the different parts
of the ship, who do duty, really, as watchmen, during the night. Two
days before the order arrived to leave the "New Hampshire," it was found
necessary to station several men, armed with guns and fixed bayonets, on
the dock near the ship, to stop men from taking the "hawser route"
ashore. The firemen and coal-passers had been refused shore leave, or
liberty, as it is called, because of their habit of getting
intoxicated, pawning their uniforms, and loitering ashore. Truth to
tell, the guns and bayonets had little effect, as the offenders were old
in the business.

The second night after the order was put in force it happened that
"Hod," who was rated as an able seaman, was on duty with gun and bayonet
on that end of the dock opposite the forecastle. He had just relieved
the man whose watch ended at midnight, and he stood thoughtfully
watching the twinkling lights on the opposite side of the mighty East
River. There was so much to occupy his mind in a situation which was
both charming and fascinating that he remained motionless for several
minutes. Presently there came a slight, scraping sound, and the end of a
rope struck the dock almost at his feet.

Glancing up, "Hod" saw a man's figure, dimly outlined in the gloom, slip
from the topgallant forecastle and quickly descend the rope. It was
evidently one of the men taking "French" leave, and it was the sentry's
duty to give the alarm at once. But "Hod" had other views in this
particular case. Hastily stepping back into the shadows, he laid his gun
upon the floor of the dock, and rolled up his sleeves with an air that
meant business. The next moment the absconder dropped from the rope.