A CONTRETEMPS. 421 



American walked to the bulwarks, and spit into the sea. 

 When this was done I thought there was a slight caper 

 from the man at his heels a sort of jumping all- 

 fours, as a dog will do when he expresses pleasure ; at 

 all events the American looked round and down on his 

 follower, and if the jolly tar had had a tail, no matter where, 

 I am sure he would have wagged it. All at once the fact 

 seemed to come across the free mind of the United States, 

 and the lofty scion of those who despise labour seemed to 

 comprehend that, to be rid of a man on all-fours at his 

 heels, he must decently demean himself, and not disgust 

 ladies and gentlemen. He again spit into the waves in 

 stead of on the deck, and then went below, his shadow 

 following him, not on all-fours, but as a man proper and 

 perfectly unconcerned. 



u That is the best way I ever saw," I exclaimed, "to 

 cure a man of soiling the decks/ 7 and again I roared with 

 laughter. 



During the voyage I was also charmed to hear Capt. 

 Lott reprove men for not taking the trouble even to throw 

 the ends of their cigars, still alight, off the deck into the 

 sea. If people will indulge in smoking as well as in chew 

 ing tobacco, surely they ought to do all in their power to 

 render their filthy habits as little dangerous and annoying 

 to their neighbours as possible, and better order ought 

 to be enforced in all ships where a medley lot of persons, 

 perforce, are associated together. 



The voyage home was prosperous enough in weather. 

 There were a few briskish gales, but nothing of any conse 

 quence ; but during the passage I was attacked with so 

 terrible an acute inflammation in both eyes, that for two 

 days and nights I was blind, and in the most intense 

 agony. From my fellow-passengers I received the kind- 



