Midshipman Fletcher Goes Up In The World

He was sure he was gaining on Fingers, which was only right - the other boy had nearly been running before he'd issued the challenge in the first place, so it would serve him right if Terry beat him.

The lookout called something down to them, but he was too busy concentrating to listen to the words. Nearly there now...

He slung his leg over the yard and paused, only for an instant, contemplating going higher. The royal top was not that far above him. Go for it! Fingers stirred again, his hands and feet moving quickly to propel him upwards.

Terry had thought that Fingers was as high as he was planning on going, and then the other boy had decided that there was a better view to be had from the royal. There was no way Terry was going to catch up now, even with the slight pause, but he was going to give it his best shot anyway and followed the other boy up, past the lookout, who gave him a friendly wave.

He didn't even think to chance a glance over his shoulder until he'd reached the royal top. There was no higher point on a mast. Fingers settled onto the yard and finally looked down.

"Gettin' slow innyer old age," he called down.

Terry poked his tongue out at him. "Had to give ya a chance, din't I? Ain't fair on you if I win ev'ry time." He perched on the other side of the mast to Fingers, letting his feet dangle and swinging his legs as though he didn't have a care in the world.

"Dreamin', izzyou?" Fingers laughed. "Least there's no pusser up'ere."

"Don't fink the pusser'd know 'ow to get up 'ere if someone showed 'im," Terry said, swinging a bare leg, careless of the height they were at. It was fun up here, so high above the deck, with nothing between them and the sky.

That was true. Nobody but the lookout had bothered addressing them, too. As far as Fingers cared, they were on their own.

"Ain't a better day ferrit."

That was true. It was a lovely day. "Ain't anyone goin' to bother us 'ere, are they?" Even Mister Leat hadn't bothered them earlier until they'd got down onto the deck, had he?

"They ain't yet," Fingers told him cheerfully. That was all that mattered. He looked at the endless expanse of sea and beamed. This was living!

"You ever seen a officer go 'loft?" Terry asked his friend curiously, trying to remember if he'd ever seen any commissioned officer in the rigging. He was sure he hadn't - he'd remember it if he had, surely.