222 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



architecture, we might easily imagine ourselves in the 

 neighbourhood of some country not often visited by 

 civilised nations. Like ants climbing up the heaven- 

 sent carcass of a huge elephant, so does this human 

 swarm clamber up-the gangway with frantic yells and 

 shouts ; and utterly regardless of the danger of falling 

 into, the sea, they push each other wildly in their 

 eager endeavours to be the first on board. The deck 

 once gained, they establish a position in the fairest 

 portion of the ship, from which it were vain to try 

 and remove them ; and there displaying their wares, 

 they open a profitable intercourse (at least on one 

 side) with our silly crew. We all know how lavishly 

 a sailor spends his money, on useful things if possible, 

 but if such be not obtainable, then on anything. 

 Here have we been scarcely five days at sea, and yet, 

 judging from the eagerness with which our men part 

 with their money, one would imagine that they had 

 just arrived after a six months' cruise at least. And 

 what things they purchase ! One man carries off in 

 triumph a goose, which, when plucked, would hardly 

 suffice for the dinner of even a moderate eater, and 

 yet he liberally invites two or three of his comrades 

 to share his Sunday's repast, when he hopes to enjoy 

 his cherished delicacy, stuffed, as he promises them, 

 with heaps of onions. Another purchases a pair of 

 woollen stockings, which seem better adapted for 

 grating nutmegs than for comfort. Hundredweights 

 of bad butter and rocky cheese gallons of odious 



