The Two Whalers | Page 6

another taste of Dan Hogan's colt, but Medley, who at
that moment came on deck, seeing what had happened, lowered a hook
and fished up the bucket. He then showed me how to make a proper
hitch, and the mate kept me drawing water till my arms ached.
I was feeling very hungry, and was wondering if I should get any
dinner, when Medley told me that no fires were allowed to be lighted
on board, and consequently that no cooking could be carried on while
the ship was in dock. I was thinking of petitioning the steward for some
bread and cheese, when the captain came out of his cabin and told me
to accompany him on shore. Before long we stopped close to the dock
entrance, at the well-known inn, "The Dog and Duck," and taking me to
the landlady told her to supply me with whatever I wanted to eat and
drink. I thanked him very much as he left me there, and the hostess
asking me if I should like something at once, to which I replied, "I
should think so indeed," speedily placed a capital dinner before me. I
did not fail after this, whenever I felt hungry, to pay a visit to "The Dog
and Duck," not being particular as to hours, and mine hostess always
looked glad to see me.
I had learned the names of the masts and yards and ropes, and a good

deal besides, thanks to Medley's assistance, by the time the ship was
ready for sea. Even Dan Hogan readily told me anything I wanted to
know, and seemed as pleased as his rough nature would allow that I did
not show any ill-feeling towards him on account of the drubbing he had
given me. In about a week after I went on board we hauled out of dock,
and a tug towed us down to Gravesend. Here the owner paid us a
parting visit, followed by the Jew slop-sellers, with whom the men
spent most of their advanced wages in the purchase of all sorts of
articles, the more prudent furnishing themselves with warm clothing,
and also with knives and trinkets to barter with the natives of the
islands we were likely to visit.
The following day we reached the Nore lightship, where, the weather
looking dirty, by the orders of the pilot who had charge of us we
brought up. Scarcely was the anchor at the bottom and the hands were
aloft furling sails than down came the gale upon us. The pilot, a jolly
old fellow, kept singing out, "More yet, more yet," meaning that we
were to veer away more cable, and he did not seem satisfied till the
whole of it was out. From this circumstance the men called him "Old
More Yet." I forget his real name. I was thus early in my sea life to
learn what a real gale of wind is like.
CHAPTER TWO.
We lay at the Nore for several days with our bows pitching into the sea
and the spray flying over us, and after all, having lost both
anchor-stocks, and received other damage, we were obliged to return to
Gravesend to get them repaired. This done, we again sailed.
Light winds prevailing, we were some time getting clear of the river.
We thought that we should at once stand down channel, but as we
rounded the North Foreland the weather looked more threatening than
ever, and we found that we were to bring up in the Downs. I by this
time had not only got my sea legs, but was pretty handy aloft. The
winds being contrary we had to tack ship very frequently. I saw the first
mate looking up, when just then he sang out to me, "Away there, Jack,
and clear that rope from the lee fore-yard arm." I knew what he wanted

me to do, so running up the rigging, lay out on the yard, and quickly
performed the duty required of me. Instead, however, of returning at
once on deck, I sat watching several other ships beating up to an
anchorage, as we were, while I did not hear "Old More Yet," the pilot,
give the order "about ship." Suddenly I felt the yard beginning to swing
round. In another instant I should have been hurled off as from a
catapult into the seething ocean, or been dashed on the deck.
There was but one thing to do. Retaining my presence of mind, I made
a desperate spring and caught hold of the topmast backstay, down
which I was sliding to the rail, when I saw the first mate rushing
forward to try and catch me as I fell, he having just recollected that he
had sent me aloft. His countenance expressed the greatest