watch. The carpenters are ready below with shot-hole plugs, and
everywhere throughout the ship can be found officers and sailors and
marines and men of the "black gang," each at his proper station in
readiness for the word to begin action.

But that word does not come. Instead a stentorian command is heard from
the bridge:

"Secure!"

Laughing and joking, the crew of the "Yankee" hasten to restore the ship
to its former state. All this has been a drill, the drill known as
general quarters. It is the first time it has been held under service
conditions, and when the captain steps down from the bridge and says in
his brisk, authoritative way, "Very well done, very well done indeed,"
the boys of the cruiser are satisfied and happy.

Twice during the night the drill is repeated. There is no grumbling
because of disturbed sleep, for a rumor has gone about the ship that
Spanish vessels have been seen off the coast, and even the cranks on
board admit that drills and exercises are necessary.

Sea watches have been set, and the rules followed when under way are now
operative. A brief explanation of the routine attending the first hours
of a naval day may help to make succeeding descriptions more plain. The
ship's daily life commences with the calling of the ship's cook at
3:30 a.m. The ordinary mess cooks are awakened at four o'clock, so that
coffee can be prepared for the watch. Coffee is always served with
hard-tack to the watch coming on deck at four. It is all the men get
until breakfast at 7:30, and a great deal of work must be accomplished