“All hands, up anchor ahoy!” shouted the boatswain prompted by the first lieutenant; but this order was so common in the every-day practice of the crew, that no one supposed it had any unusual significance; and some of the boys even began to grumble at being compelled to go through the routine of ship’s work on the Fourth of July.

“Bring to on the cable, and unbitt!” continued the officer in command.  “Ship the capstan bars, and swifter them!  Heave in the cable to a short stay!”

These orders were duly executed, under the direction of the various officers at their stations.

“Avast heaving!” called the first master.  “Anchor apeak, sir,” he reported to the first lieutenant.

“Pawl the capstan, stopper the cable, and unship the bars!” added the executive officers, all of which was done, and duly reported.

“Stations for loosing topsails!” which were shaken out by the ordinary routine, sheeted home, and hoisted up.

“Forecastlemen, loose the head sails!  After-guard, clear away the spanker!  Man the capstan bars, ship and swifter them!  Heave around!”

This last was a manoeuvre which the crew had never before been called upon to perform; and the order sent a thrill of delight to all hearts.  The cable had often been heaved to a short stay, that is, so that it run nearly up and down; but that was as far as they had ever before been permitted to proceed.  Now, with the anchor apeak, they were ordered to the capstan again, and they realized that the Young America was actually going to sea.  The command kindled an enthusiasm which glowed on every face.  The ship was going out of the harbor, and the evil doers in the mess rooms below were to be pitied.

“Anchor aweigh, sir,” reported the excited boatswain who, however, had to be prompted in this instance by Peaks, for it had never been in that position before since it first hooked the mud in Brockway harbor.

“Anchor aweigh, sir,” repeated the second lieutenant.

“Man the jib and flying-jib halyards!” said the first lieutenant.

“Anchor’s at the bow, sir,” said the boatswain, which report went through the same channels as before, till it reached the executive officer.

“Hoist away on the jib and flying-jib halyards!  Avast heaving!  Pawl the capstan!  Stopper the cable!  Cat and fish the anchor!” shouted the first lieutenant.  “Port the helm!”

The Young America was clear of the ground.  The fore topsail, which had been trimmed to the fresh breeze, was full, and the ship began to gather headway.  Two seamen had been placed at the wheel, under the charge of the quartermaster.  The boys had often “made believe” do these things, but now they were real.  The vessel was actually moving through the water, and they could hardly contain themselves, so exhilarating was the scene.

“Steady!” said the first lieutenant, when the ship had come up to her intended course.