any mariners at this present for to navigate.
Now," says he, "I s'pose this onfortunate state o' things is on account
of the sinful war as is goin' on--they're afraid of the risk. Hows'ever,
my friends," says he, "perhaps, as you knows the river, ye could put us
upon a way of engagin' twenty or more bold mariners, as is not afeard of
ventering for good pay?" and with this he looks into his papers; and
says Bill, "Well, sir, I don't know any myself--do you, Bob?" and he
gives me a shove, and says under the rose, "no fear, mate," says Bill,
"he's all over green--don't slip the chance for all hands of us at
Jobson's." "Why, master," I says, "what ud you give them mariners you
speaks on, now?" "Six pounds a month, friend," says he, looking up; "but
we gives tea in place of spirits, and we must have steady men. We can't
wait, neither," says he, "more nor three days, or the vessel won't sail
at all." "My eye!" says Bill, "'twont do to lose, Bob!--stick to him,
that's all." "Well, sir," I says, "I thinks I does have a notion of
some't of the sort. If you sends your papers to Jobson's Tavern
to-night, in the second lane 'twixt Barnaby Street and the Blue Anchor
Road, over the water, why, I'll get ye as many hands to sign as you
wants!" "Thanks, friend," says the young broad-brim, "I will attend to
thine advice,"--so he bids us good day, and stepped into his door again.
"Bill," says I, as he went off, "now I think on it, I can't help a
notion I've seen that chap's face afore!" "Very like," says Bill, "for
the matter o' that 'tis the same with me--them broad-brims is so much of
a piece! But that 'ere fellow don't know nothing of ships, sure enough,
or he wouldn't offer what he did, and the crimps' houses all of a swarm
with hands!"

"Take my word, mate," says I, "it's a paying trip, or he wouldn't do
it--leave a Quaker alone for that! Why, the chap's a parfit youngster,
but I am blessed if he don't look as starched as if he'd sat over a desk
for twenty year!"

Well, strike me lucky, mates all, if the whole affair warn't a complete
trap! Down comes a clerk with the papers, sure enough--but in ten
minutes more the whole blessed lot of us was puckalowed, and hard an'
fast, by a strong press-gang. They put us into a cutter off Redriff
Stairs, an' the next noon all hands was aboard of the Pandora frigate at
Sheerness. The first time of being mustered on deck, says Bill to me,
"Cuss my eyes, Bob, if there isn't the 'farnal Quaker!" I