JACK tar's thoughtlessness. 381 



that from the fact of our former misadventures we 

 might reasonably look forward for corresponding 

 good ones in the future. Yet I awakened no sym- 

 pathetic chord in the bosoms of my auditors. My 

 predecessor had something tangible to base his pre- 

 diction upon : a something, which, through its fami- 

 liarity to the minds of all, appealed directly to their 

 hearts; and, although I took the other side, I must 

 confess that I myself was almost convinced there 

 was more probability in his than in my theory. I 

 felt, indeed, that our past crosses were sure prestiges 

 of still more to come. 



It may be supposed by some that such a conver- 

 sation and prediction would have a gloomy effect on 

 the minds of persons with such vivid imaginations 

 as seamen ; but, fortunately, (or unfortunately, which- 

 ever it may be,) in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred 

 neither good nor evil makes any more lasting impres- 

 sion on their minds than water does upon a duck's 

 back. For the moment, they become absorbed in 

 the topic of that moment; but look at them an 

 instant later, you will see the same careless bearing, 

 and hear the merrj" jest passed around as gleefully 

 as ever. Yerily, there is need of a "sweet little 

 cherub to sit up aloft, and keep up a watch over the 

 life of Jack Tar" ; for he will not look out for him- 

 self. This very thoughtlessness, however, renders 

 him all the more useful aboard ship. Many times, 

 if he should pause to think of the danger to himself 

 in the performance of a particular duty, his hesitation 

 would bring destruction upon the ship and its in- 

 mates. For instance, it is blowing heavily : a top- 

 sail is clewed up — the ship will not bear it, and 



