ALABAMA. 147 



each side ; while the trees, and just a streak on the top- 

 most edge of one cliff, were bathed in golden light from 

 the newly risen sun." 



He was greatly amused by the way in which the crew 

 stowed the cargo. The cotton had been already screwed 

 into bales so tightly that further compression might seem 

 impossible. But when the stowed bales in the hold were 

 in contact with the upper deck, another layer had to be 

 forced in by powerful jack-screws, worked by four men. 

 When the end of the bale was seen set against a crevice 

 into which a thin board could scarcely be pushed, it might 

 appear impossible that it should ever get in ; but the screw 

 was continually turned, and though the process was a slow 

 one, the bale would gradually insinuate itself The men 

 kept the most perfect time by means of their songs. 

 " These ditties," — says the curious " chiel " who hung above 

 the cotton-bales "making notes," — "though nearly meaning- 

 less, have much music in them ; and as all join in the 

 perpetually recurring chorus, a rough harmony is pro- 

 duced, by no means unpleasing. I think the leader im- 

 provises the words, of which I have taken down the 

 following specimen ; he singing one line alone, and the 

 whole then giving the chorus, which is repeated without 

 change at every line, till the general chorus includes the 

 stanza : — 



" ' I think I hear the black-cock say, 



Fire the ringo ! fire away ! 

 They shot so hard, I could not stay ; 



Fire the ringo ! fire aivay I 

 So I spread my wings, and flew away ; 



Fire the ringo ^ etc. 

 I took my flight, and ran away; 



Fire, etc. 

 All the way to Canaday, 



Fire^ etc. 



