WANDERERS. 253 



CHAPTER IX. 



WANDERERS. 



A WHALE had been seen several times, spouting, as 

 it passed up and down the open channel opposite 

 my native village on the coast of North Kent, 

 and efforts had been made to drive the great 

 creature into shallow water, so that it might be 

 stranded and killed, but all to no purpose. At 

 last, under the direction of a notable old sea-dog, 

 who went by the name of Dick the Whaler, the 

 feat was accomplished, to the great mortification 

 of those who had tried but failed to do the busi- 

 ness. Some of Dick's partisans and admirers, in 

 order to commemorate the event, requested one of 

 his friends who enjoyed the reputation of being 

 a regular " dabster " at verse - making, to compose 



