rs of age, nearly thirty of which he has passed upon
the sea, being off it only in short spells while his ship lay in port.
And he has seen service on several vessels--corvettes, frigates, double
and treble deckers--all men-of-war, in which he has thrice
circumnavigated the globe.

For all, he is yet hale, hearty, and in the perfect plenitude of his
strength; only with a slight stoop in the shoulders, as if caught from
continually swarming up shrouds, or leaning over the yard while stowing
sails. This gives him the appearance of being shorter than he really
is: for when straightened up, with back well braced, he stands six feet
in his stockings. And his limbs show symmetrical proportion. His duck
trousers, fitting tightly over the hips, display a pair of limbs supple
and muscular, with thighs that seem all sinew from skin to bone.

In spite of his sterling qualities as a seaman, and noble character as a
man, Harry has never risen to any rank in the service. With him has it
been literally true, "Once a sailor, still a sailor;" and though long
ago rated an A.B. of the first order, above this he has not ascended a
single step. Were he to complain, which he rarely ever does, he would
in all probability say, that his non-promotion has been due to
independence of spirit, or, shaping it in his own phraseology, owing to
his not having "bootlicked the swabs above him." And there is some
truth in this, though another reason might be assigned by those disposed
to speak slightingly of him; this, that although liking salt water, he
has a decided antipathy to that which is fresh, unless when taken with
an admixture of rum. Then he is too fond of it. But it is his only
fault, barring which, a better man than Harry Blew--and, when sober, a
steadier--never trod the deck of ship.

As already said, he has trod many, the latest being that of the
_Crusader_, in which vessel he has spent five years of his life. His
engagement terminating almost on the very day she dropt anchor before
San Francisco, he has been set free, either to stay in the ship, by
entering his name upon her books for a fresh period of service, or step
out of her, and go cruising on his own account, whithersoever he may
wish.

Taking into consideration the state of things in San Francisco just at
this time, it is not strange his having elected to leave the ship. It
would be stranger if he had even hesitated about it, though this he had
indeed done, for some d