A SHIP ON SHORE. 



299 



chains chauiiting the depth of water, to the atten- 

 tive ears of the captain and master^ who are 

 conning the ship to his cry of quarter-less-four, 

 &.C. ; when all at once^ while under full sail^ she 

 strikes. Holloa ! what^s that V' cries the cap- 

 tain. The ship^s on shore^" reply a dozen 

 voices in the same breath. What water,^^ 

 cries the captain? *^ Quarter-less-two, sir^^^ is 

 the reply. What water forward? what water 

 abaft ? what water to starboard? what water to 

 port?^^ to all which questions various sailors fly 

 to answer. Two fathoms, sir — quarter-less- 

 two^^^ &c. Again she strikes. Now confusion 

 begins^ various orders and the boatswain's pipe 

 are heard in all directions. Turn the hands up 

 to shorten sail" — Aye, aye^, sir Man the 



fore and main clue garnets, top-gallant clue-lines^" 

 &LC. All manned, sir." ^^Up courses, in top- 

 gallant sails." " Away go the sails,'' flapping in 

 the wind till silenced by their various buntlines 

 and cluelines drawn close to the yards ; — bump 

 again she goes. '^^ Lower away the topsails." 



