"Come in, young gentlemen, come in, and be seated," he sang out; and as
we willingly obeyed, he added, "This is what I call enjoyment--food for
the mind and moisture for the whistle. We have not many opportunities
for mental improvement and the enjoyment of light literature, as you may
have discovered by this time; and to a man, like myself, of refined
taste, that is one of the greatest drawbacks to our noble profession."

Grey and I did not understand exactly what he meant; but, after letting
him run on for a little time, we told him why we had come, and begged
him to indulge us by commencing at once.

"There is, as you sagaciously observe, young gentlemen, no time like the
present for doing a thing which is to be done; and so,"--and he cleared
his throat with a sound which rang along the decks--"I will begin. But
remember, now, I'll have no doubting--no cavilling. If you don't choose
to believe what I say, you need not listen any more. I will not submit
to have my word called in question."

"Heave ahead!" said a voice outside; I suspected it was Spellman's. I
soon found that there were several other listeners, and was afraid
Jonathan would refuse to go on; but, in reality, he liked to have a
large audience, and seasoned his descriptions accordingly. Again he
cleared his throat, and said--

"I'll begin--as I remarked. My mother was a wonderful woman. I have a
great respect for her memory. Joan of Arc, Queen Dido, or the Roman
Daughter could not hold a candle to her. She was up to any thing, and,
had opportunities offered, would have been the first woman of her age.
As it was, she made herself pretty well-known in the world, as you shall
hear. When she was quite a young woman she once on a time became
first-lieutenant of a dashing frigate. When the captain was killed, she
took the ship into action, fought two line-of-battle ships broadside to
broadside, and then, when there was not a stick left standing, carried
them by boarding. She would have brought both of them into port, but
one went down from the severe hammering she had given them. You doubt
what I am telling you, young gentlemen, do you? Well, then, I'll give
you proof which ought to satisfy any candid mind that I am speaking the
truth. You must know that there is a song written about her; and, of
course, if she hadn't done what I have been telling you it wouldn't have
been written. It runs thus:--

"Billy Taylor was a smart young sailor