come often, Jacob--only once
in a way; now, and then I do believe it's good for my health. It's a
great comfort to me, my lad, to have you on board with me, because as
you never drinks, I may now indulge a _little_ oftener. As for Tom, I
can't trust him--too much like his father--had nobody to trust to for
the look-out, except the dog Tommy, till you came with us. I can trust
Tommy as far as keeping off the river sharks; he'll never let them take
a rope-yarn off the deck, night or day; but a dog's but a dog, after
all. Now we're brought to; so clap on, my boy, and let's heave up with
a will."

"How's the old gentleman, father?" said Tom, as we paused a moment from
our labour at the windlass.

"Oh! he's got a good deal more to sleep off yet. There he lies, flat on
his back, blowing as hard as a grampus. Better leave him as long as we
can. We'll rouse him as soon as we turn Greenwich reach. Tom, didn't
you think his nose loomed devilish large yesterday?"

"Never seed such a devil of a cutwater in my life, father."

"Well, then, you'll see a larger when he gets up, for it's swelled
bigger than the brandy bottle. Heave and haul! Now bring to the fall,
and up with the mast, boys, while I goes aft and takes the helm."

Old Tom went aft. During the night the wind had veered to the north,
and the frost had set in sharp, the rime covered the deck of the barge,
and here and there floating ice was to be seen coming down with the
tide. The banks of the river and fields adjacent were white with hoar
frost, and would have presented but a cheerless aspect, had not the sun
shone out clear and bright. Tom went aft to light the fire, while I
coiled away and made all snug forward. Old Tom as usual carolled
forth--

"Oh! for a soft and gentle wind,
I heard a fair one cry
But give to me the roaring breeze,
And white waves beating high,
And white waves beating high, my boys,
The good ship tight and free,
The world of waters is our own,
And merry men are we."

"A nice morning this for cooling a hot head, that's sartain. Tommy, you
rascal, you're like a court lady, with her velvet _gownd_, covered all
over with diamonds," continued old Tom, looking at the Newfoundland dog,
whose glossy black hair was besprinkled with little icicles, which
glittered in the sun.

"You and Jacob were the only sensible ones of the party last night, for
you both were sober."

"So was I, father. I was as sober as a jud