278 NIGHTS IN THE GALLKY. 



lads, so I won't tell you of the action we had arterwards, but leave 

 it for another night, 'cause we shall only just have time to hear 

 Jack ; and besides I can't spin such twisters as him, so I mustn't 

 say all at one time, or I shan't have no yarn to spin you another 

 night. So now, Jack, let fly your jawing tacks, and run before it, 

 lad, with a good yarn, as you knows how to spin." 



" Wait a bit," said Jack, " I must get a light first, 'cause I can't 

 talk without I'm either chewing or smoking; it keeps a feller's mouth 

 moist. Well, there it is, that's all right now ; what shall it it be a 

 rape or murder ? the devil or a broomstick ? any thing, lads, I can suit 

 you to a T from a penny whistle to a German flute from a needle to 

 an anchor. Did I ever tell you about my being taken away by the 

 pirates going on shore with them, and staying nearly six months, 

 and then being taken again and escaping?" 



" No, never, Jack ; let's have it," said Will "a thundering yarn it 

 is, I suppose !" 



" Come give it us, Jack," cried all hands. 



" Well, here goes. It was when I was just out o' my time, I was 

 only eighteen, and a good-looking chap I was, better than I am now, 

 if possible (rubbing his chin at the time). I'd had enough o' the 

 marchantmen, and I wanted to make some prize-money and see an 

 action, so I determined to go on board a man-o'-war, and after I'd 

 been at home about a fortnight along with the old folks, I got pre- 

 cious tired of the shore ; so one morning I says, ' Father,' says I, 

 f don't you think I had better go to sea again, and try to get some 

 money, for mine is almost out?' ' Yes, Jack,' says he, ' you must 

 lose no time now ; I should like you to go into a slashing frigate ; 

 them are the things to make money, and where I made lots if I 

 hadn't been such a fool as to spend it the moment I got it, and some- 

 times before, for that matter.' So it was all agreed that I was to start 

 the next day, go to Portsmouth, and try if I could find a good frigate 

 to enter aboard of ; so away I went by the stage, and when I got to 

 Portsmouth, I found the Diomede, Captain Clifford, fitting out. 

 Away I goes aboard. ' Come on board to enter, Sir/ says I to the 

 hofficer of the watch. ' Very well, my man,' says he, ' wait here 

 while I tell the first-leaftenant.' Up comes the first-luff. ' You want 

 to enter do you, my man?' f Yes, Sir,' says I. ' Have you served 

 your time ? ' Yes, Sir.' ' Out of what port ?' ' Bristol, Sir.' ' Can 

 you take the helm and lead?' ' Yes, Sir,' says I. ' Where's the 

 standing part of the maintopsail-brace ?' 'Mizen-topmast-head, Sir.' 

 ' Is it mark or deep at nine ?' ' Deep, Sir,' says I. * Well, you'll 

 do, my man; have you been to sea since you served your time?' 

 ' No, Sir,' says I, ' I'm just out of my time.' f Well, I can only 

 give you ordinary seaman's rating, and if you behave well I'll. make 

 you A.B. the first vacancy.' Down I went to the surgeon, and after 

 that was entered on the books, and put in the fore-top ; that was just 

 what I wanted, the fore- top is the place for a young feller to learn 

 his duty. Well, we soon got out of dock, and soon rigged, and 

 our orders coming down a short time after, we got under weigh 

 for Gib (Gibraltar, always called by the sailors old Gib). Our 



