"Ay, she will do that in her own way, and eloquently, too," continued
his superior.

"In coming out of Matanzas, when you made her back and fill like a
saddle horse, I thought she was little less than a human being," said
the mate, honestly.

"She minds her helm like a beauty, and feels the slightest pull upon her
sheets."

"I never saw a vessel lie closer to the wind," said the mate; "she eats
right into it, and yet has not shaken a foot of canvass this half hour."

"That is well."

"It's uncommon, sir," continued the other.

"She must and can do better, though," said the young commander, with an
air of slight impatience. "Call the watch below, Mr. Faulkner, we will
treat our mistress to a new dress this bright day, and flatter her pride
a little; she is of the coquette school, and will bear a little
dalliance."

"Ay, ay, sir," responded the officer, without further parley, walking
forward to the fore hatch, and with a few quick blows with a handspike,
and a clear call, he summoned that portion of the crew whose hours of
release from duty permitted them below. The signal rang sharply through
the ship, and caused an instant response.

A score of dark forms issued forth from the forecastle, embracing