Chap. XT. 



AMATEUR WATCH. 



229 



made by the captain. The night from eight p.m. 

 to four next morning was divided into four watches 

 of two hours each, and as we numbered in all 

 about eight or nine persons, there was enough to 

 have two for each watch. The hours were now 

 written out on small slips of paper, and thrown into 

 a hat to be drawn for in the usual way. 



When eight bells were struck. Captain Dearborn 

 and Mr. Sturges, who were lucky enough to draw 

 from eight to ten, mounted guard, and marched up 

 and down the deck, armed with a pistol, cutlass, 

 and matchlock, and ready to repel boarders and 

 give any alarm if it was necessary. I was unlucky 

 enough to draw the sleepy watch from twelve to 

 two. We reported four bells to the chief officer, 

 struck the intermediate hours, and sung out " all's 

 well" in the most approved and seamanlike man- 

 ner. Once or twice during the night it was neces- 

 sary to warn boats to keep off when it was thought 

 they were coming too near, but nothing occurred 

 to create any alarm. Soon after four o'clock 

 Mr. Floud, the engineer, commenced getting his 

 steam up, and the steam-pipe began hissing and 

 snorting and bidding defiance to pirates, however 

 numerous or however bold. 



Leaving the mouth of the river at daylight, we 

 stood out to sea across the channel in the direction 

 of the north-west end of Formosa, to which we 

 were bound. The distance across the channel here 

 is rather more than 100 miles ; and as a stiff 

 breeze was blowing from the north and a heavy 



K 2 



