THE LAYING OF THE ATLANTIC CABLE. 237 



abroad, and in the darkest hour of night dismiss all 

 fears of pickpockets and garotters. You keep up no 

 wife for your late return, and the latch-key is laid 

 aside. Last, and chief blessing of all, money, Avith- 

 out which you cannot move an inch on shore, is 

 at sea a mere drug, and not of the slightest use or 

 consideration. 



Perched aloft in the rigging, I was wholly absorbed 

 in these pleasing reflections, and, with pipe in mouth, 

 was enjoying the scene around me, engaged in no 

 more serious occupation than watching the baffled 

 waves break against the vessel in imbecile attempts 

 to disturb its equilibrium, when I was suddenly 

 aroused from my dream of sweet content by a sound 

 of suppressed laughter from below, whilst, at the 

 same time, I experienced a curious sensation, indi- 

 cating a want of freedom in my lower limbs. Look- 

 ing down, I saw a sea of grinning faces beneath, and 

 at my feet stood a good-humoured sailor, holding the 

 ends of a cord, with which he had lashed me to the 

 rigging, who said, "Please your honour, pay your 

 footing!" What could I do? Though, like Don 

 Juan, by nature choleric and sudden, and sorely 

 vexed at his abrupt overthrow of my speculations, 

 I could not but join in the laugh against me, 

 and comply with the request so courteously made. 

 So, graciously dropping a coin in niy highwayman's 

 hat, I received from him a certificate in satisfaction 

 of all future demands, and, moreover, entitling the 



