away to give the order for
manning the catfalls: "And you'd better see to your side-lights at once,
for fear of accidents."

Mindful of my previous experiences on the forecastle, I now kept away
from this part of the vessel, especially now that it was crowded with
the additional hands that had come on board; and after remaining for
some little time near the deck-house, I went up on the poop after the
new pilot, who as soon as we were moving took up a similar position on
the weather side as his predecessor had done, proceeding likewise to con
the ship in the same manner.

The evening was rapidly drawing in; and the big red and green lanterns,
which I noticed were placed presently in the fore-chains on the port and
starboard sides respectively, began to shoot out their party-coloured
gleams across the surface of the water, stretching out to meet the
bright twinkling lights ashore on either hand, which multiplied fourfold
as the darkness grew.

Adams was not at the wheel now, one of the fresh hands having taken his
place. But I did not mind this man being a stranger, nor did I feel so
lonesome and anxious for someone to speak to as was the case earlier in
the day; for Captain Gillespie having taken command of the ship, Mr
Mackay the first mate was a free man, and he came and talked to me,
explaining things very kindly as we pursued our way onward, the tide
still with us and adding considerably to the rate we were being towed by
the little Arrow, which had red and green side-lights like ours and a
bright clear white one at the masthead as well, to show to other craft
that she was a steamer under weigh, so that they might avoid fouling in
the fairway.

An hour or so after starting from Gravesend, we passed a bright red
beacon, which Mr Mackay told me was the light marking the Mucking Flat;
and, later on yet, glided by the one on Chapman Head, getting abreast of
the light at the head of Southend Pier on our left at ten o'clock, or
"four bells" in the first watch--soon after which, the revolving light
of the Nore lightship was sighted, like a single-eyed Cyclops, staring
at us in the distance one moment and eclipsed the next.

The moon now rose, putting all these artificial lights to shame as it
flooded the stream with its silver sheen; but I got so sleepy with the
night air after all my excitement through the day, besides being
thoroughly exhausted from standing so long on my legs, that, as Mr
Mackay was pointing out s