g out this my first piece of duty,
for in attempting to secure a rope to the bucket that I might lower it
over the side, I made a slippery hitch. To my dismay when I hauled in
the rope the bucket was not at the end. It had gone to the bottom. I
fully expected to get 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