330 WHALING AND FISHING. 



attempts at special tyranny, that four of us ift 

 eluding Fred and myself were able to retain a 

 peaceful and comparatively comfortable position 

 an board. 



Although the mate had, after Fred's " personal 

 explanation " on our arrival on board, shown no 

 farther inclination to use his billingsgate upon us, 

 he had clearly borne us in mind. Fred had boast- 

 ed of his sailorship and unluckily, of mine too. 

 During the first ten days out from port the mate 

 made us earn the reputation Fred had given to 

 ourselves. From one piece of -rigging work to 

 another, we were jointly and separately sent over 

 the entire ship. To-day a brace to splice a very 

 neat piece of work on board an Indiaman, as it 

 requires that two ropes-ends be joined together 

 in such manner as that the points of junction shall 

 be scarcely discernible. To-morrow a hawser to 

 crown, and the next day some other more compli- 

 cated rigging to be fitted. 



I must do the mate the justice to own, that he 

 was himself an excellent seaman He knew much 

 more about a vessel than officers generally and 

 was not at all backward in making known his 

 knowledge. 



" If he catches us tripping, Fred," said I, " we'll 

 he in a bad box." 



" If he catches us tripping, my lad, he'll have 

 to know more about a ship than I could ever find 

 out about ore." 



