I think both you and Bessy
may leave off singing now. You have yet to learn the most important
part, which is to _heave_ the lead; but we must wait till we get on
board of a vessel for that. Observe, Tom, it's all very well singing
when you've plenty of water, and I like it, for it sounds musical and
pleasant to the ear; but in shallow water the pilot's answer must be
much shorter and quicker, as you will find out by-and-by."

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

In which I go Afloat, and obtain some Knowledge of the English
Channel.

It may be as well here to remark that the system of pilotage is
different now from what it used to be at the period of which I am
writing. The Cinque Port pilots now carry vessels from the Downs to the
river, and from the river to the Downs. Their pilotage extends no
further. Vessels seldom require pilots for the Channel, and do not take
them unless they are bound to some port in the Channel with which they
are unacquainted, and those pilots who ply in the Channel are termed
Hoblers; but at the time I refer to the regular pilots used to go out in
their galleys to the chaps of the Channel and take charge of vessels all
the way up, which, by the new regulations, they do not do. The
arrangements for pilotage have been much improved of late years, and
those employed are better qualified.

I had remained at Deal about three weeks when an outward-bound Indiaman
anchored in the Downs. Her pilot came on shore, and she made the signal
for another. It was Bramble's turn, a galley was launched, and we went
on board.

The ship was bound to Plymouth, from whence she was to sail with convoy
to a certain latitude. The weather was now fine and frosty, and we made
sail when the tide served. As soon as we were fairly out in the Channel
Bramble went with me into the main-chains, and showed me how to heave
the lead. After several attempts, in which I sometimes would hit the
spare topsail-yard upon which I stood, sometimes would nearly break my
own head, and once contrived to throw the lead over the hammock-rails
inboard, I succeeded in getting it round over my head; and when I had
once gained that point I made fewer mistakes. In two days we arrived at
Plymouth; and as Bramble kept me at it till my arms ached, nearly half
the day, I could by that time heave the lead pretty fairly, that is to
say, without danger to myself or other people. The day after we arrived
at Plymouth we got into a pilot boat and