Morning wake-up call

A well-aimed nudge with the tip of my beak against the bronze clapper of the ship's bell – *Dong!* The metallic tone echoed crystal clear across the damp deck planks, all the way down to the crew's quarters. Someone should have been sounding the morning watch long ago, but not a single boot had stirred down there. With two nimble hops, I slid aside and ducked behind a thick barrel full of coiled ropes. When, a moment later, an indignant, sleepyheaded curse and a hurried clatter erupted from the cabin stairs, I bobbed my tail feathers in amusement. Duty is duty on this cutter!