210 NIMROD OF THE SEA; OB, 



Nov. 24. The object of our visit is not apparent to us, but 

 we are not curious. We take the good the gods provide 

 without question, and, with the careless improvidence of the 

 sailor, " eat, drink, and be merry, for to-morrow " we may 

 die. If it suits the captain and the owners that the good 

 ship should ride at anchor in Charles Island, well and good, 

 provided we have liberty on shore to stretch our sea-legs, 

 and time to bury them under the warm sand of the beaches, 

 to draw the treacherous scurvy taint from the bones and 

 tissues assuming that sailors have tissues. Thus far we 

 have had liberty on shore, opposite the ship, every other 

 day, while the watch on duty has been transporting to the 

 ship a few barrels of sweet-potatoes and pumpkins from the 

 distant settlement. We have had our longest vacation on a 

 small island where there is not even drink to intoxicate the 

 brain, or a woman to stir the heart : 



" Some eyes they are so holy, 



They seem but given, they seem but given, 

 As splendid beacons solely, 



To lead to heaven, to lead to heaven. 



" While others men believe them 



With tempting ray, with tempting ray, 

 Would lead us, heaven forgive them ! 

 The other way, the other way." 



We are here safe from the sirens, holy or otherwise, 

 heavenward -bound or otherward; and we roam at large 

 under conditions which made the Garden of Eden intolera- 

 ble to the first gentleman of his time. We philosophically 

 take to fishing, and industriously add to previously known 

 varieties, without waiting to classify, but roasting and eating 

 our varied catch. 



A little Yankee fishing-smack with its " live well " would 

 make a fortune in supplying the coast markets with fish 



