{"id":"01KG8AME6YC5V2YPC91FX64GRS","cid":"bafkreia6dl6gutoycy2gkp6luud2jc56euculwkpxou4ffbcmetx76g5ti","type":"chunk","properties":{"end_line":7558,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:36.274Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Chunk 2","source_file":"01KG89J19NC56FFGBCM2SWEZZY","start_line":7483,"text":"easy, then, by endless transpositions, to multiply the various numbers\r\nthat may be exhibited at the mizzen-peak, even by only three or four of\r\nthese flags.\r\n\r\nTo each number a particular meaning is applied. No. 100, for instance,\r\nmay mean, “_Beat to quarters_.” No. 150, “_All hands to grog_.” No.\r\n2000, “_Strike top-gallant-yards_.” No. 2110, “_See anything to\r\nwindward?_” No. 2800, “_No_.”\r\n\r\nAnd as every man-of-war is furnished with a signal-book, where all\r\nthese things are set down in order, therefore, though two American\r\nfrigates—almost perfect strangers to each other—came from the opposite\r\nPoles, yet at a distance of more than a mile they could carry on a very\r\nliberal conversation in the air.\r\n\r\nWhen several men-of-war of one nation lie at anchor in one port,\r\nforming a wide circle round their lord and master, the flag-ship, it is\r\na very interesting sight to see them all obeying the Commodore’s\r\norders, who meanwhile never opens his lips.\r\n\r\nThus was it with us in Rio, and hereby hangs the story of my poor\r\nmessmate Bally.\r\n\r\nOne morning, in obedience to a signal from our flag-ship, the various\r\nvessels belonging to the American squadron then in harbour\r\nsimultaneously loosened their sails to dry. In the evening, the signal\r\nwas set to furl them. Upon such occasions, great rivalry exists between\r\nthe First Lieutenants of the different ships; they vie with each other\r\nwho shall first have his sails stowed on the yards. And this rivalry is\r\nshared between all the officers of each vessel, who are respectively\r\nplaced over the different top-men; so that the main-mast is all\r\neagerness to vanquish the fore-mast, and the mizzen-mast to vanquish\r\nthem both. Stimulated by the shouts of their officers, the sailors\r\nthroughout the squadron exert themselves to the utmost.\r\n\r\n“Aloft, topmen! lay out! furl!” cried the First Lieutenant of the\r\nNeversink.\r\n\r\nAt the word the men sprang into the rigging, and on all three masts\r\nwere soon climbing about the yards, in reckless haste, to execute their\r\norders.\r\n\r\nNow, in furling top-sails or courses, the point of honour, and the\r\nhardest work, is in the _bunt_, or middle of the yard; this post\r\nbelongs to the first captain of the top.\r\n\r\n“What are you ’bout there, mizzen-top-men?” roared the First\r\nLieutenant, through his trumpet. “D——n you, you are clumsy as Russian\r\nbears! don’t you see the main—top-men are nearly off the yard? Bear a\r\nhand, bear a hand, or I’ll stop your grog all round! You, Baldy! are\r\nyou going to sleep there in the bunt?”\r\n\r\nWhile this was being said, poor Baldy—his hat off, his face streaming\r\nwith perspiration—was frantically exerting himself, piling up the\r\nponderous folds of canvas in the middle of the yard; ever and anon\r\nglancing at victorious Jack Chase, hard at work at the\r\nmain-top-sail-yard before him.\r\n\r\nAt last, the sail being well piled up, Baldy jumped with both feet into\r\nthe _bunt_, holding on with one hand to the chain “_tie_,” and in that\r\nmanner was violently treading down the canvas, to pack it close.\r\n\r\n“D——n you, Baldy, why don’t you move, you crawling caterpillar;” roared\r\nthe First Lieutenant.\r\n\r\nBaldy brought his whole weight to bear on the rebellious sail, and in\r\nhis frenzied heedlessness let go his hold on the _tie_.\r\n\r\n“You, Baldy! are you afraid of falling?” cried the First Lieutenant.\r\n\r\nAt that moment, with all his force, Baldy jumped down upon the sail;\r\nthe _bunt gasket_ parted; and a dark form dropped through the air.\r\nLighting upon the _top-rim_, it rolled off; and the next instant, with\r\na horrid crash of all his bones, Baldy came, like a thunderbolt, upon\r\nthe deck.\r\n\r","title":"Chunk 2"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJS2XR4F65K8W27CASPYP","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J19NC56FFGBCM2SWEZZY","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AME6YKATJFRDV865WQPQY","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"prev"},{"peer":"01KG8AME6YNBCZXH3254NWGF0E","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"next"}],"ver":2,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:37.086Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:48.713Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}