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NIGHTS IN THE GALLEY. FIFTH YARN. 



I WAS somewhat interested in Jack Murray's love-yarn, for such I 

 expected it would turn out ; and immediately one bell struck I pre- 

 pared to resume my place in the lug (I may call it so, as it somewhat 

 resembled King James's seat). While walking forward for that 

 purpose, I was startled by the cry of "a man overboard!" I instantly 

 jumped upon deck, and found the cutter just shoving off to pick the 

 poor fellow up ; as we were at anchor and it was fine weather, there 

 was not much danger to be apprehended. He was soon picked up, 

 brought on board, and after giving himself a shake after the manner 

 of a water-dog, he joined in the laugh at his own clumsiness. When 

 the bustle was all over and the cutter hoisted up, I proceeded to the 

 galley, but found the most important personages absent. I was still 

 not without some amusement to pass away the time till the yarners 

 made their appearance. The learned sergeant and ship's cook were 

 in earnest discourse, and with due respect I drew near, expecting to 

 profit considerably by a conversation carried on between two (if the 

 sergeant's word may be taken) of the most " larned" men on board ; 

 indeed I know not whether he did not include the whole squadron ; 

 but be this as it may, they were warming in their dispute. 



" Most undoubtedly so," said the sergeant ; " it isn't like as if we 

 was the same as them hignorant men who comes here to spin their 

 yarns ; if, I say (getting warmer as he went on) we was like them, it 

 would be different; but edicated as we have been it stands to reason, 

 and will be easily seen by any sensible man, that we desarves to be 

 treated with confidence, and I must do the first-leaftenant the justice 

 to say that he has penetration enough to discover that you and I are 

 not the same as them." 



" To be sure," said the cook, " I perfectly agrees with you, and 

 admires the hiligant language as what you uses ; now I'll tell you as 

 a proof the first-leaftenant sees what we are, he said to me ' Cook,' 

 says he, ' I have had a great many complaints from the men that the 

 cocoa is not sweet enough ; now,' says he, ' the sugar that is allowed is 

 enough to sweeten it well, and so the black list man that brings it 

 from the purser's steward's room must purboil it.' (I presume the 

 cook meant purloin.) ' Yes, Sir,' says I, ' I assure you I always 

 put the whole amount into the cocoa; but really, Sir,' says I, ' I cannot 

 depend upon these men, they are so very stupid. To give you an 

 instance of their stupidity, Sir,' says I, ' the other clay I desired the 

 man to insert the sweetening into the liquid, and to be particular not 

 to allow the sugar to concentrate in any one part ; and I assure you, 

 Sir,' says I, ' the man looked at me in a manner quite derergatery (I 

 suppose derogatory) to a man of sense ;' and what do you think the 

 first-leaftenant said ?" 



" Why I dare say he pitied the poor man's hignorance as I do," 

 answered the sergeant. 



" To be sure he did for he says, ' Ay, ay, cook,' says he, ( they 



M. M. No. 106. 3 E 



