But I'll explain to you how it is, Mr Simple, that we boatswains have lost so much of consequence and dignity.

The first lieutenants are made to do the boatswain's duty now-a-days, and if they could only wind the call, they might scratch the boatswain's name off half the ships' books in his Majesty's service.

But to go on with my yarn.

On the fourth day, I called with my handkerchief full of segars for the father, but he was at siesta, as they called it.

The old serving-woman would not let me in at first; but I shoved a dollar between her skinny old fingers, and that altered her note.