BRINGING MR. TOWNSEND BACK AGAIN. 67 



helm up and keep her off!" Heavens, what 

 confusion ! 



" Stand by your boats ! " 



At that, every man knew his place and sprang 

 for it with an eager bound of joy. I was among 

 them. For the first time in my young life I was 

 to go in a whale-boat. I was in the mate's boat. 



" Lower away boats ! " bellowed His Majesty. 



Instantly the mate and the boat-steerer sprang 

 into the cedar boat — one in either end, boat- 

 steerer forward, officer aft — and our crew were 

 over the ship's side before the boat splashed in 

 the water. We pounced upon our thwarts, seized 

 our long oars, looked sharp astern, and took the 

 prompt word of command. I pulled after oar. 



The sail was up in a twinkling. It bellied out 

 full. We dashed headlong after our prey. We 

 were in the lead. The captain and the second 

 mate followed close. 



I shall never forget the dazzling sensations 

 of that first moment — the tall ship, with her 

 checkered sides and her huge white davits ; the 

 two sharp-bowed clinker built boats — five long 

 oars in each; two on one side, three on the other; 

 the sun-glint upon the oar-blades as they lifted 

 above the surface, the white splash when they 

 dipped again ; the rapid, nervous, brutal stroke ; 



