ck, alongside the carpenter's bench, for he was of a social
disposition, and delighted in what he called `rasheral' conversation.

Now, Ichabod Chissel, our carpenter, was another of those heroes of the
tongue, who pretend to know everything, and never fail in a story for
want of a little invention. By his own crew, who looked up to him and
esteemed him for his sterling qualities, he was considered a first-rate
politician. The two officers were tolerably good friends in general;
but a very slight thing would make them fall out, though they as
speedily patched up their quarrels again.

One day there was a light breeze and a smooth sea, and Trundle, not
expecting to be wanted, had repaired to the main-deck, where Chissel was
superintending his crew at work. Dicky Sharpe and I happened to be
near, and observing that they were both more than usually excited, we
drew closer to see the fun going forward.

"Well, that was a storm as fierce as ever I did see," remarked Chissel.
"Why, there was a thunderbolt as big as six of my fists put together,
fell right through the decks, and out through the ship's bottom; and if
I hadn't been there to plug the hole, we should all have gone to Davy
Jones' locker, as sure as fate. You was there, Trundle, and you know,
old ship, that I speak true."

"I was there! Yes; but I know you speak a hanged lie, if you say that,"
exclaimed Trundle.

"What's that you say?" shouted Chissel, highly indignant at being told
he lied before all his crew, though he doubtless would have cared very
little about the matter, had the polite remark been made when the two
were alone.

Just then Mr Summers, who was the officer of the watch, sung out,
"Hands about ship! Where's the boatswain?"

"Never in his station," observed Chissel, as Trundle, call in mouth, was
making his way forward. "And very little use when he is there," he
added, either thinking the boatswain would not hear him, or caring very
little if he did.

Trundle caught the words just as he was going up the fore-ladder, and
though he could not just then take his pipe from his mouth to utter a
retort, he gave a fierce look with one of his ferrety eyes, which showed
that he acknowledged himself deeply in his messmate's debt. His pipe
sounded more shrill than usual, as he could not give any other vent to
his feelings.

"There'll be a row before long between those two heroes, just you mark
that," said I to Dicky, as we both hurried off to