Chapter 2

When he had finally reached the top, Ashley hauled himself over the side, half falling, half stepping onto the deck. One of the crew that had been loitering by the side came over and offered him a helping hand.

“Well done, sir. All you have to do now is get past the first lieutenant without getting eaten alive,” said the ruddy-faced sailor hauling Ashley to his feet.

The comment did nothing to abate Ashley’s nerves, by now he felt like his insides were twisting and was starting to regret his large breakfast. His legs felt like jelly and he was not used to the motion of the ship. Ashley walked over to the person who he presumed was the first officer. As he approached Ashley could feel the hostility as the man threw a quick reprimanding glance towards him. He waited till the tall, chestnut-haired, first officer had tuned towards him and made a salute. After bring his arm back down, Ashley stood nervously tugging at the sleeves his slightly too large uniform, waiting for the lieutenant to acknowledge him. There was a rather long awkward pause.

Eventually the First Lieutenant snapped at him, “What is wrong with you? Don’t you know procedure?”

“N-no, sir. I'm N-new, sir,” stuttered Ashley, finding it hard to get the words out.

“That’s what they all say,” replied the first lieutenant looking sternly at him with his narrow eyes. Ashley did not know whether the first lieutenants last comment was an attempt at humour or whether he was serious. “So who are you then?”

“Mr Midshipman Ashley McKay, sir. Reporting for duty, sir!” said Ashley with a shaky salute. This time, with a mental sigh the first lieutenant touched his hat in reply.

“Welcome aboard,” he said, holding his hand out. Ashley wasn’t sure what he should do next. So he went to shake the first lieutenants hand, but the he drew his hand back and barked, “You fool! You’re supposed to give me your papers!”

“I'm s-s-sorry, sir,” replied Ashley, hurriedly removing his papers out of the pocket inside of his brand new jacket, throwing them at the lieutenant in his haste.

“Damn your eyes man!” he shouted, angrily. Ashley was rather taken aback by the officer’s language. His mother would never allow him to use words like ‘damn’ in public or at home. In fact, the last time he had dared to use such language his father had taken a cane to him. It had smarted so much he had not been able to sit comfortably for several days. “Do you need to have everything explained to you?”

Ashley opened his mouth as if to reply, but hastily shut it again too scared of the consequences. The first lieutenant turned and bellowed to a rather short blond midshipman who had been standing, but a few feet away. “Mr Blue, would you kindly have Mr McKay’s chest swayed up and a seaman carry it please,” he let out a sigh, adding, “and show this fool where he will be sleeping.”

“Aye, sir,” replied Blue, and turning to Ashley said, “Please follow me Mr McKay.”  The midshipman signalled a seaman to hoist the chest, while he led Ashley to a hatch and ladder, which led down into the inner recesses of the ship. He thought it smelt rather weird below decks, musty, salty and claustrophobic. When they got to their destination Ashley was rather put out. The place was tiny; not at all what he was used to. There wasn’t room to swing a cat, unless you wished to bash its brains out that is.

“How on earth are you supposed to sleep in such a small area?” exclaimed Ashley, indignantly.

“You get used to it. Like you get used to everything,” replied Blue, the midshipman who had shown him down.

“Do you like it here?” he asked amazed that anyone could possibly enjoy such a miserable existence.

“Well I can’t complain really. Only got a place onboard because the captains my uncle, on my mothers side,” replied Blue, matter-of-factly.

“Why did you join up?”

“The old man couldn’t afford to keep all me brothers and sisters. So uncle offered to take me under his wing. It’s better than the alternative, at least this way I get a place to sleep and food in my mouth. What about you?” Blue asked.

“I was a bit of a tearaway so my parents wanted to send me off to some expensive private school to teach me some discipline, but I didn’t want to go. Instead I persuaded them to let me go to sea instead. You see my grandfathers an admiral and my brothers a lieutenant, so it was a natural choice for me,” explained Ashley.

“Well you are fortunate. At least you had a choice,” he replied, in a mocking imitation of Ashley’s voice. Then added, “I have duties to attend to, so I will leave you to get acquainted with your new home,” and walked off, leaving Ashley on his own, to find his way around. He decided he would explore the ship hoping that maybe he would meet some more endearing fellows than he had, had the misfortune to deal with so far.

***

In the course of his rather tentative explorations he found himself back up on deck. Ashley took in a sharp breath as he gaped up at the towering masts, sails and mass of rigging rising from the deck into the cloudy grey sky. From where he was standing at the bow of the ship Ashley observed with curiosity the crew going about their tasks. Turning around he peered over the side of the ship, but quickly withdrew his gaze at seeing the drop from his current position to the murky water below. He heard a voice shouting from somewhere. At first he ignored it, but soon realised that the voice belonged to the first lieutenant, the one he had made such a bad impression on earlier and that he was the intended recipient of the order.

“You there! Yes, you there! Come over here at once!”

Ashley made his way over and stood in front of the first lieutenant, who had an irritated expression on his face.

“Yes, sir,” Ashley replied.

The lieutenant frowned, and in a clipped voice said, “You will report to the captain at once.”

“Why? Did I do something wrong?” asked Ashley, hoping he hadn’t broken any kind of rule.

“You will not question my orders! You will move yourself at a pace to see the captain or you will learn what happens to rude, insubordinate little boys, if they don’t do what they are told to do by their superiors!” came the annoyed answer.

“Yes, sir,” replied Ashley. He was about to ask where the captain was, but quickly realised it was not a wise move and immediately headed in a direction that took him away from the lieutenants disapproving glare. Ashley asked one of the men that he passed on his way down, in a low voice, “Where’s the captain?”

The sailor replied in an equally hushed tone, but with an amused grin on his face, “He’s in his cabin,” and pointed him in the right direction.

“Thank you,” Ashley replied, and sprinted in the direction indicated.

He ran on to the quarterdeck, then down towards the captain’s cabin. In his haste, he didn’t pay attention to the words of the man dressed in red that stood in front of the door. Not until the he accosted Ashley mid in run by grabbing the young midshipman by his collar and yanking him back. Ashley let out a strangled yelp as the collar tightened round his neck.

“What do you think you’re doing?” asked the marine.

“I got told I had to see the captain…quickly,” replied Ashley, trying to loosen his collar. The marine let go of his hold on him.

“If you’re going ti’ see the captain, you can’t just barge in. You’ve got to ask nice like. What’s you’re name?”

“Ashley, Mr Midshipman Ashley McKay,” he mumbled. Not wanting to identify himself in case he was punished for his misdemeanour.

The marine knocked, solidly on the cabin door and announced Ashley. The captain called the young man in. Ashley complied, standing there he felt very uneasy. Even though he knew he had done nothing wrong Ashley still felt guilty under the captain’s gaze. Captain Thompson had only taken him on because he had owed his grandfather money.

Ashley looked around the cabin. It was smartly arranged, everything appeared to have its place and not a speck of dust could be spied. There was everything that should be there, but nothing more and nothing less. Its furnishings were neither cheap, nor overly luxurious. On the captains desk sat a family portrait consisting of Captain Thompson, a rather round blonde lady and two plump blonde children. Ashley deduced that family must be important to the Captain, who took up most of the portrait, as he similarly took up most of the cabin.

“Mr McKay I hear you had a spot of bother earlier. When you were coming up the side,” boomed the captain, his voice overly loud for the acoustics of the small cabin.

“Yes, sir,” replied Ashley, lowering his eyes in shame.

“The appropriate reply is ‘Aye, sir.’ Please take care to remember that Mr McKay,” said the captain, with his owl-like eyes widening behind his thin rimed spectacles. Arching his eyebrows in a questioning expression.

“A-aye, sir,” he replied, nervously.

“Better. Now Mr McKay I have this letter from your grandfather.” The captain held the well-thumbed letter in front of him. “He says you are a ‘spirited young boy who has too much time and energy than is healthy’. We will keep you busy enough. He also says that you are prone to ‘mischievous behaviour’ and that you are fond of ‘practical jokes’. Let me assure you that I will not allow such tomfoolery on my ship.” He put the latter down firmly on the desk. “Is that clear Mr McKay?”

“Aye, sir.”

“In his letter however, he did not mention a fear of heights,” commented Captain Thompson. This statement was accompanied by a withering look. Not knowing quite how to reply Ashley just said “Aye, sir?”

The Captain rubbed his temples, like he was suffering from a headache, taking a deep breath before continuing. “Now you will be required to write out in your best hand, first the articles of war, and then the mess rules which you should find hanging in the mess. I will have no excuses of ignorance from you if you are caught braking any of the rules.”

“Aye, sir,” replied Ashley, not sure he liked the promise of so much writing.

“I hope I won’t have to have another private chat with you as regards your behaviour, or you may find your self kissing the gunners daughter.”

Ashley didn’t know who this gunner’s daughter was, and why he would have to kiss her if he misbehaved. He reasoned in his naivety that maybe she was really ugly and that was why it was so terrible.

“You are dismissed,” barked the captain, curtly.

“Aye, sir,” replied Ashley. He gave a little salute and exited the cabin fairly swiftly. He glad to be out of such an austere atmosphere.

***

Ashley was attempting to get from the captains cabin back to his quarters when he heard the first officers piercing voice bellowing at him, “Mr McKay! Where do you think your going?”

The young lieutenant froze fearing that he would be reprimanded. Then he turned round slowly to meet the lieutenant’s hard gaze, and replied hesitantly, “Back down to my quarters, sir.”

“Wrong answer,” replied Lieutenant Alexander, “You can’t spend all your time down there, lad. There’s work to be done.”

“No one has told me what I should do yet, sir.”

“Well, boy. I have a task for you,” said the lieutenant, showing a malicious smile, “You can take a glass and go up the main mast and be lookout.”

“Where’s the mainmast, sir?”

“Where’s the-? Mr McKay, you are impossible. The mainmast is the long pole that is sticking up amidships.”

“Amidships? Does that mean there’s lots of ships around it, sir?”

“In the middle of the ship!” stated the frustrated lieutenant, “There,” he declared pointing at the mast in question.

“Sorry, sir. Its my first day, sir,” replied Ashley, nervously.

“That’s no excuse! Now get up there, you impertinent urchin!”

The young midshipman looked up and saw the height of the mast. All of a sudden Ashley didn’t feel very well. He knew he had to obey orders, but his body clearly had other plans.

“Please, sir. I-I-I can’t do it,” stuttered Ashley.

“There’s no such word, as can’t Mr McKay,” stated Lieutenant Alexander, “Refusing to obey orders are we?”

“N-n-no, sir.”

“Now get up there, before I report your insubordination to the captain! Catch my drift?”

“Y-yes, sir. How do I get up there, sir?”

“By using the shrouds and ratlines,” said the lieutenant, pointing to a criss-cross of ropes that made a kind of ladder by which the sailors could reach the top of the masts. Lieutenant Alexander stood there with his hands behind his back, waiting expectantly for Ashley to begin the assent. Ashley decided he couldn’t put it off any longer that he would have to suppress his fears in order to fulfil his duty. He took a deep breath and went up the first rung. The young midshipman nearly let out a little cry. The ropes had more give than he had anticipated. His stomach twisted and tightened like it wished to give up its contents and his skin tingled. Ashley didn’t know whether the goosebumps were from fear or just the result of the icy wind that was blowing.

He swallowed the bile that came up into his throat then called out to the lieutenant, “You haven’t by any chance changed your mind, sir?”

“No,” came the stern reply.

Ashley slowly progressed upward. He gripped the ropes so hard his knuckles became white. He tried to keep moving, occasionally stopping to collect his thoughts and still his stomach. The rope creaked under his weight as Ashley heaved himself up into dizzying heights, his mind distracted by thoughts of falling to his death. When he reached the summit Ashley caught a glimpse of the deck below. His stomach contorted and a wave of nausea flowed through him. The young midshipman screwed his eyes shut and held on for all he was worth as he tried to suppress the sickening feeling that bloomed inside him. When he finally managed to bring his body under some kind of control he hauled himself up and scrambled over the edge of the platform. Ashley let out a sigh of relief that he had made it, but the moment went all too quickly and he wrapped his arms round the mast afraid he would fall. Ashley momentarily caught a glimpse of the view and his head spun. He quickly shut his eyes, unwilling to take in the scenery. He heard the lieutenant shouting at him from the deck.

“Mr McKay! I hope you understand the concept of a lookout! It involves opening your eyes and using a telescope!”

“A-aye, sir,” called down Ashley, in reply.

He grabbed on to one of the vertical ropes with his left hand, opened the telescope by gripping one end under his arm and pulling it to its full length with his right hand. Ashley was concentrating so much on juggling the telescope, holding on to the shrouds and trying to stop his hat from blowing away every time a strong gust of wind whistled past, he forgot where he was. He stopped feeling so afraid. Well at least until he caught a glimpse of the deck below.

***

Ashley couldn’t figure out what the point was to send him up as a lookout when they were in port, but it was not his place to ask such question. Well at least not ask them of the hostile lieutenant. He sat up there, keeping a constant grip on the shrouds because he was scared of falling. Ashley felt like he had been sitting on his high perch for ages. The wind whipped round him and the cold wind blew down the back of his neck causing him to shiver. His hands were white from where he had been holding on so hard, and his face and hands felt numb from the cold.

It had been a while since he had scaled the rigging to his current position when Ashley heard the sound of someone climbing. Everything creaked as it strained under the weight of the visitor. A face appeared over the edge, soon the rest of the body appeared. The sailor nimbly jumped up onto the platform, his floppy brown hair blown about by the wind, and framed by the swirling grey sky as he stood there imposingly, clearly unaffected by the wind and motion of the ship.

“Mr Alexander’s compliments. He says you can go down now, sir.”

“H-how do I get down?”

“The same way you came up, but backwards, sir,” replied the sailor with a friendly smile.

“Of course,” said Ashley, trying to sound like he knew that already.

Ashley tried to slide down onto the ratlines still keeping a hold on the shrouds while not looking down. For a moment his legs flailed around, as he franticly tried to find the rope, but he found it eventually. He made his way down very slowly making sure he had a secure footing. Several times he looked down and had to stop and calm himself before continuing his descent. In the end he reached the relative safety of the deck. He checked his watch it was four in the afternoon he had been up the mainmast for more than an hour.

Ashley’s stomach rumbled. He was famished. He hadn’t had anything to eat since his ‘breakfast’ and that was five hours ago. There was a different lieutenant on deck now and he didn’t look as intimidating as the first lieutenant, Mr Alexander. Not knowing the routine of the ship Ashley didn’t know when the meals were served. So he approached the officer of the watch and made a little salute. The lieutenant touched his hat in reply.

“Yes?”

“I'm sorry to bother you, but when do we get dinner, sir?”

The lieutenant gave him a knowing look and replied, “A short evening meal is being served presently. I would hurry below if I were you.”

“Thank you very much, sir,” replied Ashley scurrying down into the dark cavernous belly of the creaking ship.

He wasn’t quite sure where it was that he was supposed to go to get his meals, but he soon found where the other midshipmen were. He could see that they were all older than him, and this made him feel rather like an outsider. He doubted they would accept him. He felt rather self-conscious hovering in the background nervously clutching his hat.

The blond midshipman, whom Ashley had met earlier noticed him standing in the corner and called over, “Hey Ashley! You’re making the place look untidy! Come over and sit down.”

Ashley walked over and sat down in the empty space at the table. One of the other midshipmen shoved a pewter plate over to him. It contained some mutton, a chunk of bread and a selection of vegetables.

“Go on. Eat it. Its not poisoned,” said Blue, offhandedly.

Ashley looked at the plate suspiciously but on seeing that there was nothing immediately wrong with the meal started to scoff the food rather hurriedly. He shovelled in one mouthful after another. When he had finished Ashley looked up everyone else was staring at him.

“You eat like a pig, rich boy,” said one of the midshipmen, who looked like he was the oldest.

“Your wrong there Frost. At least a pig chews!” said another. They all laughed at him. Ashley felt extremely embarrassed. He blushed.

“Oy! Whitt! Give pig boy another ‘elping!”

A dark haired boy about the same age as Ashley brought over another plate and unceremoniously dumped the food in front of him.

“There you go guv’n’r,” said the rather scared looking boy.

Ashley who had always been told that he should remember his P’s and Q’s automatically said, “Thank you.”

“He’s not worth your thanks,” snarled Frost, “the thieving toerag!”

As the boy, Whitt walked past, Frost gave a signal and one of the midshipmen who obediently stuck his foot out and tripped Whitt up. The boy went sprawling onto the deck face first, all the midshipmen turned and laughed at the unfortunate fellow, all except Ashley. He didn’t think it was so funny. He would of said something in the poor boys defence but he didn’t know his shipmates well enough to know how he should say it and he didn’t want to make enemies this early on.

Frost ceased his laughing and turned his focus onto Ashley. At this lull in persecution ‘Whitt’ made his escape shrinking back into the shadows.

“So, pig boy want to introduce your self?”

“M-my names Ashley McKay.”

“Where do you hail from then pig boy?”

“A small village, in Essex. My Grandfather has an estate there, we live in a small house on the estate…and I'm not rich just comfortably well off.”

“Well aren’t you the lucky one. My names Daniel Frost, and I call the east end of London my ‘ome.” He elbowed the midshipman next to him, “Go on your turn.”

“My names Peter Blue. I come from Chatham in Kent.” He indicated the rest of the midshipmen sitting around the table, “and this is Durst and Hunt.”

“Nice to meet you all,” said Ashley politely. Even though he secretly wished he could slide under the table and disappear.

He considered those that sat before him weighing up which were potential allies and which were potential enemies. Frost clearly had some authority and it appeared that the burly midshipman demanded respect and fear from his messmates. Blue who Ashley guessed was at least two years older than himself seemed nice enough. He was willing to invite Ashley into the group. Durst and Hunt were hard to fathom, as they appeared to be fairly quiet unless Frost cued them to laugh.

“So piggy, I hear old nasty-face Alexander had you up in the main top. He can be a right headache sometimes, especially when you get on ‘is bad side. Lucky you didn’t fall. Ooh, that would have been grisly.”

“Grisly?”

“Your predecessor wasn’t so lucky,” said Blue.

“Who? The one I replaced?”

“Yep. His name was Nathaniel Green if I remember correctly,” said Frost.

“So what happened to him?”

“Lets just say he was careless enough to get himself killed.”

“How? What happened?”

“He was skylarking. Showing off how he could walk across the tops of the yards and then this rogue wave hit the ship,” explained Blue. “He lost his footing and fell.”

“Splat! They had to scrape what was left of him off the deck. Took ages to get rid of the stain,” said Frost menacingly, “You better be careful next time McKay or we might be replacing you.” he let out a cruel laugh.

Ashley felt uncomfortable; he imagined himself falling of that yard. The image was so vivid and graphic he could see every detail and it made him feel rather nauseous.

“Excuse me,” said Ashley and rather hurriedly ran out and up onto the deck. He ran over to the side and his stomach was doing somersaults. Ashley felt like emptying the contents of his stomach overboard but he just about managed too keep his dinner down. Ashley heard footsteps approaching him. He turned round to see the first lieutenant standing there, towering over him.

“Mr McKay! Skiving off our duties again are we?”

“N-no, sir. I was just-,”

“I do not care what you were doing. You will report to lieutenant Bentley for the second dog watch.”

“Aye, sir. What’s a dog watch, sir?”

“What’s a -. You are the most infuriating midshipman I have ever had the misfortune to have under me, Mr McKay.”

“I try my best, sir,” replied Ashley but the lieutenant seemed to take his answer the wrong way.

“I won’t tolerate your facetious remarks, boy!” 

Ashley could see the lieutenants face getting redder and redder; he looked like he was going to explode.

“Get up that mainmast and don’t come down until I say you can, you ‘orrible little boy!” shouted the lieutenant in Ashley’s ear.

“Aye, sir.” He replied not wanting to provoke him any further.

“You had better be up that mast and out of my sight before I count to ten or I’ll dock your rum ration as well!”

Ashley didn’t even pause to answer. He ran over to the rigging and tried to climb up to the top of the mast. He didn’t know what he was more frightened of heights or the first lieutenant who was glaring at him. He got half way up the rigging when his foot slipped.

“Ah!” cried out Ashley.

He felt like his whole body had just been jolted and his stomach was in his shoes. Ashley gripped the ratlines tightly, and tried to find his footing again. He got a glimpse of the deck below and his head spun. He had to force himself to block out his surroundings and concentrate on climbing. He reached up with his right hand; Ashley could see he was shaking. He inched his way up slowly bit-by-bit until he reached the platform.

The sailor that had told him to go down earlier was still there. Ashley tightly held onto the rope nearest to him, just as a strong gust of wind nearly blew him over the edge. He steadied himself and the sailor turned and spoke to him.

“Up here again so soon, sir?”

“Yes. I seem to have got into Mr Alexander’s bad books.”

“Aye, sir.”

“What’s your name?”

“Ordinary Seaman Bentinck, sir.”

“Nice to meet you Bentinck.”

Ashley pulled his jacket tight around himself to try to keep out the icy wind. In his haste to escape up on deck he had left his boat cloak behind. He was starting to regret leaving it below as it was incredibly cold up in the top. He sat there silent for a moment. At first he tried to avoid making eye contact with ‘Bentinck’ but the only alternative was to take in the vista and Ashley was not willing at this point to do that. He turned to his companion and asked, “Why are you up here? Have you done something wrong to?”

“No I aint done nothing to be reproached for, sir. I just come for the view. Its rather an awe inspiring sight if I might say so, sir.”

“I would rather be rid of it myself and have the relative safety of the deck under my feet.”

“There aint nothing bad in a scene such as you behold from this lofty perch. There nothing that can ‘urt you when your so close to the heavens, sir.”

“I'm not to keen on lofty perches. I have an abhorrence of heights however near to ‘the heavens’ they may be.” At this reminder of his precarious position Ashley suddenly became aware that he was noticeably trembling with both cold and fear.

“Are you alright, sir? You’re all aquiver and you’ve gone awfully pale.”

Ashley closed his eyes trying to block out his surroundings. He said his voice undulating in panic at his current predicament, “I-I don’t like heights. They make me ill.”

Bentinck looked at him with a concerned face and replied, “I once knew a man with the same ailment but he cured his ‘illness’ and ended up being the most nimble and brave topm’n there ever was.”

“How did he solve his problem then?”

“’e used to hum a tune to himself every time he had to go anywhere higher than two inches and concentrate on the words. The key is distraction, all you gotta do is keep your mind occupied, sir.”

“And how do you suggest I accomplish that, Mr Bentinck?”

“Well you could read a book but I see you haven’t brought any reading matter. Maybe you could try counting backwards from one hundred, sir.”

“One hundred, ninety nine…this is ridiculous, it’s pointless!”

“Sorry, sir. I was only trying to help.” Said Bentinck. His face sunk and Ashley felt a twinge of guilt for hurting the sailors’ feelings.

“I know. I hate that Mr Alexander for sending me up here. Why can’t he leave me alone?”

“He can come down on you hard at first but if you can prove your competence he’ll leave you be soon enough. ‘e’s only doing his duty with all the zeal of a first officer. If your to watch out for anyone it should be Mr Frost the way he struts about you would think ‘e was the captain. They call ‘im the tyrant of the middy’s berth, but only behind his back mind you. Then there’s the ships surgeon, Dr Innocent. He’s a vampire if ever there was one, ‘e’ll let your blood as soon as look at you. You’ll go in to ask to borrow somein’ and come out drained, sir.”

“Thanks for those pearls of wisdom. Do you have anything else to add?”

“Only that I’d use these periods of tranquillity to study the workings of the ship. The sooner you find your place the sooner things will improve, sir.”

***

Ashley checked his watch. He had already been up the mast for two hours and his hands and face were numb with cold. Bentinck had gone down about an hour and a half ago. So he was up the mast all on his own. Ashley was starting to feel quite sleepy and had to force himself to stay awake. His late night was starting to take its toll. Ashley was continually rubbing his eyes and his body felt really heavy; it was an effort to keep himself upright. He leaned his back against the mast and brought his feet up so that he sat in a hunched up in a ball.

Just as Ashley thought things couldn’t get any worse, the heavens opened. The rain poured down. The cold raindrops stung his hands and face like sharp shards of glass. He groaned internally wishing that he could be anywhere but his current position. Ashley pulled his hat down more and turned up his collar to try to protect his sore face from the relentless pounding of the raindrops. The cold wind blew round him and the rain seemed to fall in his direction as if it was deliberately trying to hurt him. He sat there shivering trying to block out all that was going on around him. Ashley closed his eyes and buried his face into his folded arms, trying to ignore his discomfort. The time passed slowly; Ashley ached all over and his nose was running like mad. He hoped that he would soon be allowed to go back down. All he wanted to do was to snuggle up in a nice warm bed and sleep forever.

When Ashley was finally allowed down it was dark and he felt absolutely awful. Every part of him yearned for warmth and rest. He didn’t care what the first lieutenant thought anymore. Ashley was going to get some rest and that was final. He quietly walked down into the bowels of the ship and tiptoed quietly to his berth. His clothes were saturated with rain. As he walked along he made loud squelching sounds and a trail of water dripped behind him. Ashley peeled of his soaking wet clothes and changed into some dry nightclothes. He then slid into his hammock and wrapped the blanked around him like a cocoon. Ashley sunk into an uninterrupted slumber glad that he could at least do something right.