44 GAMMONING. 



injunction to help yourself added, and do not be 

 backward about it either. Soon after some one calls 

 for a song, and in a short time, after some pressing 

 and coaxing, which is as necessary here as in more 

 select circles, the time-worn, but sweet melodies 

 of the sea are sung, if not with artistic correctness, 

 with spirit — all hands joining in the chorus, till the 

 old ship rings again. Meantime, the officers in tlie 

 cabin are rehearsing old memories of whaling, telling 

 of the largest, wickedest and quietest whales which 

 they have borne a hand at taking ; dire and wonder- 

 ful are the fish stories that in this manner receive 

 birth. These relations, assisted by the genial influ- 

 ence of the bottle and the pipe, soon while away the 

 time, and ere one would have thought it, the signal 

 is up for returning. The boatsteerers are killing 

 time in much the same manner, lacking only the 

 ardent; whilst the crew, if a merry set of fellows, 

 have, ere this, got the liddle or accordeon player, if 

 one is aboard, on deck (providing that it is good 

 weather, and tlie ship on an even keel), and are 

 breakino; down in the waist at a rate that would set 

 a French dancing-master crazy ; but it is all the same 

 to them — they enjo}', and are bound to make sport 

 of it. The signal for returning being set, books are 

 exclianged, tobacco, pipes, and in cases of need, arti- 

 cles of clothing are freely presented, and the visitors 

 go over the rail into their boats, with " God bless you. 

 Greasy luck to you. Take care of yourself, my 

 hearties," or some other equally expressive and kindly 

 wish following them ; and the two ships resume their 

 courses in diflterent directions to dilFereut quarters 

 of the globe. 



