WHALING AND PISHING. 



But 1 suppose it was necessary under the cu'cum- 

 stances. However unpleasantly Fred's harangue 

 may have affected the captain, he restrained his 

 wrath, and smilingly invited us into the store, to 

 sign the articles. 



This done, we promised to be at the landing 

 stairs by three o'clock thav afternoon, with ou) 

 effects. The rest of his new crew were already on 

 board. The vessel was to ^1 on the following 

 day. 



By half-past three, we were alongside the Pau- 

 line Houghton. 



"Where to, now, Charley?" hailed an old ship 

 mate from a country vessel's bows, as in company 

 with our new captain we were being pulled on 

 board. 



"To London." 



"What! in that dirt-colored hulk in the outei 

 tier? Well, you have been and gone and done it, 

 my poor fellow. Don't you stand any of that fel- 

 low's nonsense. If you thrash him once, he'll be 

 good as pie to you afterward/' and my jolly 

 friend tipped our savage-looking skipper a wink. 



Fred smiled grimly at the banter, while I judged 

 it best to say nothing in answer. 



A volley of oaths from the mate, directed at some 

 man who was trying to cross a top-gallan-t yard, 

 saluted our ears as soon as we got within hearing 

 of our new vessel. 



We looked inquiringly at the skipper, who said, 

 11 I'll stop that as soon as we get alongside." 



