"Don't let your feet go till you have got a firm grip of this rope here," said he, touching the shroud.  I clutched hold of it: then up I slipped my other hand, and, drawing up my knees, soon had them on the combing of the top, and found myself standing alongside my companion.  I should have liked to have stopped to take breath and look about me; but, before I could utter a word, he was off again, up the topmast-rigging, with the agility of a monkey, and laughingly sung out to me to join him on the cross-trees.  I thought he would surely rest there, but away he was again, nor did he stop till he had got hold of the main-truck; and, as he clung on with his chin over it, he took off his cap and waved it round his head.  My blood was warmed with the exercise and the excitement, and I was close after him.  The moment he was down I took his place, and did the same thing; but I had to be quick in following him, not to miss the way he was leading.  Down he slid by the main-topmast-stay, and in an instant more he was climbing the fore-topmast rigging.  He waited for me, however, and waved me on.  I did not remark that two seamen, the oldest hands on board, were at the same time deliberately mounting the fore-shrouds.  Just as I reached the fore-topmast cross-trees, they were up to me.