34:0 SKETCHES OF SEA-LIFE. 



the last with him. Thus can a rough but hearty generosity, witli 

 an unvarying round of pleasantry, make of the most dismal quar- 

 ters an agreeable home. 



At midnight we were all roused from a deep sleep by a thunder- 

 ing rattle against the door, followed immediately by the deafening 

 call, "Sta r-b'rd wa tch, a h o y! Eight bells there! 

 Hear the news ?" We were soon up and out, giving place to 

 the sleepy deckers ; and our men in turn, wrapping around them 

 their pea-jackets, disposed themselves for a little napping on 

 whatever came convenient some on a spar, some on water casks, 

 others in the coil of a rope, and others still on the " soft side of 

 a board." I tried all these devices, and many others equally in- 

 viting, but not the least rest could I get, much less sleep. And 

 moreover feeling a little queer not sea-sick, for I never was sea- 

 sick but a sort of indescribable all-over-ness, as some poet has 

 written, "All was not right, yet where the wrong?" I came to 

 the conclusion that there was no use torturing one's self so, 

 especially as there was nothing in creation to do outside, that I 

 could see. So in I stole, and crept into bed, where I was forth- 

 with dreaming as sweetly as ever in my life before. How long 

 after it was, I do not know, but I was soon brought to conscious- 

 ness by a severe punching at my sides. Turning over, I saw boy 

 Harry standing by my bunk. " Vot you thleep for? They hunt 

 for you all over the thyip. The thecond mate, he be hell on you." 

 In an instant I was out on the floor, but in the utmost fright and 

 uncertainty what next to do. " Tell him," says he, " you be 

 thick you no can vork." I told Harry to go up slily where the 

 men were, and not say a word about me. So as soon as I saw 

 the mate's head turned, I followed up and *< tailed onto " the 

 rope, on which they were pulling, as if nothing had happened. 

 Now our " second Dickey " was a gruff, but noble-hearted sailor, 

 and was liked by the crew in proportion as he was hated by the 

 captain, which was no small amount. But he was not to be 

 deceived so easily by a novice in his trade. He had seen " boys" 

 before. So singling me out shortly after, he asked me " why I 

 did not obey the call." I answered that " I was sick and couldn't 

 get out." But that excuse, which had so often before served me 



