A FIRST STAGE BY SEA. 



507 



the position of " water, water everywhere, and not a drop to 

 drink." 



" 'Ave a little drop, Bill, just to clear yer throat. Must be 

 dry running arter that there pig-" 



" No, thank you, Jim ; I don't care about it just now. I 

 never drink at sea. Shouldn't mind some when I get's 

 ashore ! " 



Perhaps they might have led up to something tangible, but 

 that on any other topic they were quite unassailable and un- 

 communicative. Even on the subject of pigs they were reticent 

 of information ; on the matter of transport, probabilities of 

 weather, and suchlike casual topics, they gave one no en- 

 couragement. So conversation never ripened, their mysterious 

 suggestion was never inquired into, still less acted upon, and 

 instead of the pig-drivers going ashore with drink in their 

 pockets, a dignified and distant attitude was preserved between 

 them and us, and we parted as strangers. 



In its own good time the barge floated, a steam-launch took 

 us in tow (one of the pig-drovers only just escaping tying him- 

 self in a half-hitch in the tow-rope), we made Portsmouth, and 

 landed live-stock and wheels in good order. 



