lling overboard, where he was secured by an amphibious sailor below.

As the time anticipated had not been consumed in the pork affair, a
tug-of-war between the fore and aft men was decided on; and as it is a
generally understood thing that our men can pull on occasions, a
four-and-half hemp hawser was hauled to the front, experience having
proved that ropes of lesser diameter are like as much tow in their
hands. As no prize could be conveniently awarded for this, about six
dollars' worth of that ambiguous compound, known as gingerbread, was
supplied and laid on a piece of canvas in a formidable heap within view
of the antagonists, with the intention that the winners might regale
themselves afterwards. But this highly laudable and very proper
intention was frustrated, for the _losers_ happening to be nearest the
heap took base advantage of their proximity to pillage the store, which,
by the aid of a score or so of Japanese imps, in all manners of
reversible attitudes in the crowd, they managed to raze to its
foundations. So ended one of the most enjoyable days of the commission.

By the way I must not omit to mention that the ubiquitous "Aunt Sally,"
of immortal memory, was present on the occasion, and contributed the
usual amount of sport.

October 14th.--By midnight, all hands having relegated themselves to the
close embraces of the sleepy god, a terrible din and an unusual alarm
was circulated throughout the ship. At first, in our semi-wakeful state,
and before we could adjust our ideas, we had the most confused notions
of what was the matter. Most thought that the shores under the ship's
bottom had carried away, and that we had fallen over on our bilge; and,
strange to say, in our imaginary terror our eyes seemed to convey that
impression. The ominous word "fire!" followed by the maddening unmusical
efforts of a crazed bell, reduced all this din and uncertainty to a
logical something. But where was it? What was on fire, the ship?
Fortunately no; but a fire so close to the ship that she was in imminent
danger of taking the flames every minute. Ahead of us, and within a
biscuit's throw of our flying boom, a long shed containing kerosene and
other inflammables had taken fire, but how does not so clearly appear.
But that doesn't matter. In a moment there was a general conflagration.
It burst out with sudden and alarming fierceness, threatening speedily
to overwhelm the whole yard.

Our captain's first consideration w