In summer there were always a number of lads climbing about on the mainmast and mizenmast, and the more active and venturesome used to compete with one another in the performance of sundry more or less dangerous feats. One cadet endeavoured to immortalise himself by coming down over the "futtocks" with one arm and one leg. Probably the reader is aware that the "futtock shrouds" are the short, stiff, standing ropes from the edge of the "top," the traversing of which involves a more or less reversed position; it is easy enough for any ordinarily active boy, and the alternative, of going through "lubber's hole," was regarded as more or less of a disgrace. It will be obvious, however, that the full complement of limbs is essential to the safe passage of the "futtocks"; a fact which was forcibly impressed upon our young hero by a very hasty involuntary descent into the main chains, resulting in concussion of the brain and a pretty bad scalp wound. However, he came up smiling after a week or so; but did not try it again. Another aspirant for celebrity conceived the idea of coming down the mizen royal stay "hand over leg"; this stay being a very small rope, and--as it was not called upon to stand the stress of sail--certainly a pretty old one, it was quite on the cards that it might have given way, especially as the gymnast was a good lump of a boy. However, he escaped, and landed in the main-top triumphantly; whence he was called down by the first lieutenant, admonished as a "young fool," and received some slight punishment, _pour encourager les autres_. [Illustration: OFFICERS AND CADETS, 1861.] A favourite pastime was sliding down the two parts of the topsail halyards, which passed through a great block within reach of the main-top. You got hold of the two ropes, which ran parallel, about a foot apart, to the bulwarks, one in each hand, twisted your legs round them, and then, embracing the ropes with your arms so as to avoid skinning your hands, down you went like a flash. It was advisable, however, to tie your trousers round the ankles first, or they rucked up and the friction of the rope would inflict a very nasty burn on the leg; one cadet, in fact, was on the sick-list for a considerable time as the result of this manoeuvre. Dear old Dibdin tells us how William, the favoured of Black-eyed Susan, was aloft when she came alongside; upon which, The cord glides swiftly through his glowing hands, And quick as lightning on the deck he stands. No cadet, certainly, except a very green "cheeky new fellow," would try this experiment, knowing that he would arrive on deck with a good deal more than the cuticle burnt off his "glowing hands"; William, however, came down by "poetical licence," which no doubt makes all the difference. If the cadet's cuticle escaped, however, the clothes, which his parents paid for, did not!