I sprang down the ladder on to the main-deck, and there found the first luff superintending the working of our heavy guns.  The men had all stripped to the waist to obtain the utmost possible freedom of movement while hauling upon the tackles and flourishing their handspikes, sponges, and rammers, and, generally speaking, had discarded their hats, knotting bandanna handkerchiefs round their heads in place of them. They were all eager to get to closer quarters with the enemy, and were as merry as crickets, bandying jests with each other in the intervals of toiling at the guns.  I delivered my message, and at the same time seized the opportunity to inquire whether any casualties had occurred on that deck.  Mr Howard informed me that there had been none thus far; and with this information I returned to the quarter-deck and reported to the Captain.