w-chow," although I fancied he intended something kind, and probably
of an edible nature, as he was the cook. But all thoughts of him and
his intentions were quickly banished from my mind the moment I looked
around me, and saw and heard all the bustle going on in the ship; for,
men were racing here and there, and ropes were being thrown down with
heavy bangs, the captain and Mr Mackay both on the poop were yelling
out queer orders that I couldn't understand, and Mr Saunders and the
boatswain on the forecastle were also shouting back equally strange
answers, while, to add to the effect, blocks were creaking and canvas
flapping aloft, and groups of sailors everywhere were hauling and
pulling as if their lives depended on every tug they gave.

It was broad daylight and more; the sun having, unlike me, been up long
since, it being after eight o'clock and a bright beautiful morning, with
every prospect of fine weather before us for the run down the Channel.

We had come through the Bullock Channel, emerging from the estuary of
the Thames ahead of the North Foreland, which proudly raised its head
away on our starboard bow, the sun shining on its bare scarp and picking
out every detail with photographic distinctness. Further off in the
distance, on our port quarter, lay the French coast hazily outlined
against the clear blue sky, from which the early mists of dawn that had
at first hung over the water had withdrawn their veil, the fresh nor'-
easterly breeze sweeping them away seaward with the last of the ebb.
The tide was just on the turn, and the dead low water showed up the
sandbanks at the river's mouth.

The little tug Arrow was right ahead; but she had eased her paddles and
stopped towing us, preparatory to casting off her hawser and leaving the
Silver Queen to her own devices. The good ship on her part seemed
nothing loth to this; for, those on board were bustling about as fast as
they could to make sail, so that they might actually start on their
voyage--all the preliminary work of towing down the river by the aid of
the tug being only so much child's play, so to speak, having nothing to
do with the proper business of the gallant vessel.

And here I suddenly became confronted with one of the discomforts of
board-ship life, which contrasted vividly with the conveniences to which
I had been accustomed at home ever since childhood.

Before presenting myself amongst the others I naturally thought of
dressing, or rat