NIGHTS IN THE GALLEY. 163 



of the yarn that had excited my curiosity, and it was not with our 

 usual willingness that I proceeded to relieve the deck, it being my 

 watch again, as we were in three watches, and the men in two, though 

 the men's watch in harbour is merely nominal, as we never keep 

 them on deck, unless the weather is very unfavourable, and then only 

 a few hands that we call quarter or anchor watch. But I am di- 

 gressing ; let us return to Will Gibbon. 



The shrill whistle of the boatswain gave notice that Jack was 

 about to imbibe his pint of bohea, and remembering what was 

 to come, I was anxious to take up my old position, but as it hap- 

 pened to be my watch on deck, and the articles of war threaten 

 with death all those who shall desert their post, I knew not 

 well how to manage ; but, feeling some interest to hear the end 

 of the yarn, so abruptly left unfinished the previous evening, I 

 sent down to one of my messmates, to request he would look out 

 for me, while I smoked my cigar ; and Ballantyne, being a chummie 

 of mine, instantly made his appearance. After having given up 

 charge of the deck in due form, I proceeded to the galley, and 

 found old Will Gibbon giving a most important hem, to clear his throat, 

 previous to the resumption of his (I have no doubt) twice-told tale. 



" Well, my bo's, I was just going for to say, when old Pipes 

 clapped a stopper before all that, the old carpenter, you know, seeing 

 as how the skipper was all unrigged and stowed away, not under 

 hatches, but under what's a d d sight more comfortable, sheets and 

 blankets, he went and turned in, and waited till the next morning. 

 The wind remained in the same quarter, so we couldn't move ; 

 the captain went on shore very early, and the carpenter couldn't 

 speak to him till he came off, at four bells, in the afternoon watch ; 

 he then walked aft to his cabin, and told the sentry he had some- 

 thing very particular to say to the captain, and I thinks he must 

 have told him what it was, or the sentry would not have let him go 

 in. When he got into the after-cabin, he found the captain reading 

 at a table, with a brace of loaded pistols before him ; the moment he 

 saw the carpenter, he thought something was the matter, and caught 

 up one of his pistols, cocked it, and said * You d d rascal 1 what do 

 you mean by entering my cabin without being introduced by the first- 

 leaftenant?' ' I have come, Sir/ says the carpenter, ' to save your life, 

 not with any bad intentions ;' and he held up both his hands, to shew 

 that he had got no fire-arms. * Well,' said the captain, l what have 

 you to say ? Sit down, and let's hear your story, for I believe you to 

 be an honest feller.' ' Thankee, Sir,' says the carpenter, arid sat down. 

 ' The reason, Sir,' says he, ' I com'd here without saying any thing to 

 the first-leaftenant, was cause I thought you would like to know what 

 I have heard before any body else/ ( You were very right,' says the 

 captain ; ' what is it ? I have long suspected something would hap- 

 pen with these new men we've got on board, and the way the 

 boatswain behaved last night made me more suspicious ; but I think 

 I can depend upon the officers, and most of the men. What say you, 

 old man ?' c As long as my old arm can wield a sword I'll stand by 

 you, Sir,' says the carpenter, for it was the skipper as got him his 

 warrant. < But let us hear what you have to say, my good friend. 



