daylight streaming through the narrow companionway. There was a double
row of bunks on either hand and overhead were hooks to swing hammocks
in the space between.

Bludson unslung a hammock from the wall and tossed it to Ralph. There
was a blanket inside.

"Wrap your clothes in that blanket and give the hammock a turn or
two--so." The boatswain accompanied his words by showing Ralph how a
hammock is folded and slung to the hooks overhead when not in use.

"Now," he added, "it's stowed for the day. When bedtime comes you must
unsling and hang it as the rest do. You see there's not enough bunks
for the crew, so some has to use hammocks."

After that Tom led the way to the cook's galley, a mere closet of a
place just abaft the foremast. In entering one went down two or three
steps. Here they found Neb (short for Nebraska), the cook, a short,
fat jolly looking negro, who with his stove and cooking utensils so
completely filled up the place that Ralph was puzzled to see how the
man ever managed to cook at all. Every bit of space was utilized,
however. There were drawers and lockers under shelves and tables,
while overhead were swinging racks for dishes and provisions.

"Hi, Marse Tom, who be dat yo' got dar? One er dese yere shore kids?"

"Yes, he's a shore kid, Neb. Him and me haven't had any dinner. Can't
you shake us up a bit of something. Salt horse and skilly will do, if
nothin' else is handy."