In addition to this, the messenger had to be brought up to the unbitted end and the nippers gripped on before those working the capstan on the main deck above could commence heaving round in order to "bring in the shekels, like unto the Israelites of old and the Hebrews of the present day," as Master Larkyns explained to me later; and yet, the commander grew impatient at the delay, in spite of all this having to be done in such a short space of time. But, at last, the signal was given. "Heave round!" snouted Mr Jellaby from the extreme fore-end of the lower deck, where he had been bustling up the topmen and seeing to the messenger being properly attached to the cable. "Heave round," also cried Sylvester, one of the midshipmen with him. "Heave round," repeated the boatswain's mate further aft; while his fellow mates stationed along the hatchways above passed on the cry, till it reached the commander on the poop, who in his full-toned voice now transformed what was merely a signal that all was ready into an order. This gave the required impetus to the working party on the main deck, who were waiting for this order, really to "Heave round!" At once, the drummer and bugler, in attendance on the eager marines and after-guard, struck up with fife and drum the festive strains of "Judy Calaghan," which Corporal Macan said "did his sowl good to hear, faith!" Then, the bars having been previously shipped by Mr Cleete, the carpenter and his crew, round tramped the "jollies," round went the capstan; and, with it, the messenger, the endless chain of which, revolving slowly, hauled the cable foot by foot inboard, the "lengths" dropping down the deck pipes out of the way as the slack was released from the messenger, and the nippers passed forwards again; and so on, over and over again! I had ample opportunity for noticing this, the commander sending me on another errand down to the scene of operations almost as soon as the drumming and fifing began. This was much to my delight; for I enjoyed the strains of the jolly air played as much as Corporal Macan, as well as the steady tramp of the marines and after-guard round the capstan, the men stamping on the deck in time to the music, as if they would smash through the planking. "Go and tell Mr Jellaby," said he, "to shorten in to two shackles." "Ay, ay, sir." With which response to Commander Nesbitt's order, I sprang down the after-hatchway on to the main deck, proceeding thence below to where old "Joe" and his topmen were working. Of course I gave the lieutenant the mandate with which I had been charged; but I remaining, boylike, to watch what was going on, the commander not having told me to return immediately, though I ought to have done so.