The order was repeated by the other officers till it came to the forecastle. Every seaman knew precisely what he was to do in the operation of weighing the anchor; and in a moment the bars were shipped and swiftered. All hands were then in position, and waiting for the next order. “Heave around! Heave in the cable to a short stay!” added the first lieutenant; and the order went forward as before. The first master had been directed to inform him when the cable had the proper scope, which had been indicated to him. “Avast heaving!” said Tom Speers. “Cable at a short stay, sir,” he added to the first lieutenant. “Pawl the capstan! Unship the bars!” continued the executive officer. The cable was well stoppered, or secured where it was. About three-fourths of the whole of the cable which had been run out was hauled in by the operations described. The wind was moderate in the harbor, and only enough was now out to hold the vessel while the rest of the preparations were made for getting under way. The part out was “up and down,” and a few turns of the capstan would have lifted the anchor clear of the bottom. The length of cable used in anchoring, or in holding the vessel at a short stay, requires the exercise of discretion and judgment; but the young officers were required to determine for themselves all these questions. The harder it blows, or the swifter the tide, the greater the scope of cable needed. It is true, the adult boatswain was always on hand to see that the work was properly done on the forecastle; and the vice-principal, who was the only adult seaman in the cabin, closely observed the manœuvres made; but they never interfered, unless the safety of the vessel required them to do so. If the young officers were at fault, they were criticised afterwards, when the crew were not present. “Stations for loosing sail!” said the first lieutenant, when the cable was at a short stay. The fore-topsail was shaken out, the foresail and mainsail were set; and the order was given to man the jib and flying-jib halyards, and to ship the capstan bars again. “Anchor a-weigh, sir!” reported the first master on the forecastle. Tom Speers saw that the anchor was clear of the bottom when the hands at the capstan had heaved a few turns. “Let go the downhauls, and hoist away!” added the executive officer; and at the order up went the jib and flying-jib. The wind was about north, and the sails were trimmed as they filled. As soon as the Tritonia was fairly under way, her fore-topmast-staysail, fore-top-gallant-sail, and main-gaff-topsail were set. At the same time the order was given to cat and fish the anchor, or hoist it up to the cat-head, and then put it in its usual position when the vessel was at sea.