"Very well, sir," answered the skipper.  "Let the men go to their stations for tacking ship.  Hands by the best bower-anchor!  Oblige me, Mr Howard, by seeing personally that the anchor is all ready for letting go, and also that it is let go on the instant, should I give the order.  If at the last moment it should become necessary to club-haul, I will personally take charge.  Mr Delamere, find one of the boatswain's mates and station him below at the main hatchway, in such a position that he can see you on deck here, with instructions to wind his call to cut the cable the moment that he receives the signal which I will pass on to you."