1846J JUGGLERS. 181 



and shoe-makers using every artifice to attract, and 

 willing to suit your fancy, even to following up minutely 

 the defects or repairs which they may discover in former 

 garments, which they invariably ask for as muster (or 

 pattern). Upon either quarter of the vessel, may be 

 noticed the Bengalese Bumboatmen, each twisting him- 

 self into all manner of Salaams, and coaxing motions, and 

 into the most humble postures in order to ingratiate 

 himself, and obtain a preference from the First Lieu- 

 tenant, the de facto ruling power in port. Lying a 

 little further out, may be noticed the more insinuating 

 Indian juggler, equally humble in forms and attitudes, 

 but not less eager in his vocation, asking almost by the 

 changes of his countenance (colour excepted) permission to 

 delight the crew by sleight of hand exhibitions, tricks with 

 live snakes (Cobra de Capella), or, as expressed by one of 

 the crew, "obtaining soundings in his throat," by an obtuse 

 iron spit, which he is pleased to denominate a sword. The 

 duties of refit over, liberty is granted, by watches, or por- 

 tions of the crew, and now little does the prosperity of the 

 place trouble the brain of the mischief-loving tar. Being 

 duly togged out for the shore, in his best white trousers, 

 and neatly worked shirt, set off by a flowing Barcelona, 

 and natty straw hat, with a length of black streaming rib- 

 bon, or pendant, which designates him a bond fide man-of- 

 war's man, he steps upon the gangway, eyeing the boat- 

 men pressing around for fares. Jack's mind is soon 

 made up, Jbut he likes to tantalize them. Like the rail- 

 way traveller, little does he dream of security, it must be 

 express with him also. The lightest and fastest are the 

 tambangs, which are very elegant little canoes, gene- 



