tail. For these turnings and twistings we had to take in our
downward journey to Gravesend and the open sea beyond; the innumerable
backings and fillings and bendings this way and that, now going ahead
full speed for a couple of minutes, now coming to a full stop with a
sharp order to let her drift astern, were all due to the fact of the tug
having to keep clear, and keep us clear, too, of the innumerable inward-
bound steamers, passenger boats, and other vessels coming up stream.
The tideway being crowded with craft of all sorts, navigation was
exceedingly difficult for a heavily-laden ship in tow, especially in
that awkward reach between Greenwich and Blackwall, where the river,
after trending south by east, makes an abrupt turn almost due north.
This place I thought the worst part of the journey then when I first saw
it; and, I am of the same opinion still, although now better acquainted
with the Thames and all its mysteries.

On the bustle that ensued when she began to warp out of dock, I had left
the poop, along with the boatswain and the others, going down the ladder
at the side on to the main-deck; but, when arrived there, I soon
discovered that an idler like myself, standing by with nothing to do,
was in the way alike of the ropes that were being thrown and dragged
about and of the men handling them--this knowledge being brought home
very practically by my getting tripped and knocked about from pillar to
post by those rushing here and there to execute the various orders
hoarsely bawled out to them each instant, and which would not admit of
delay.

"Look out there!" would shout one, nearly strangling me with the bight
of a line circling in the air round my unfortunate head. "By your
leave!" would cry another, jamming me, most certainly without my
consent, against the bulwarks, and making me feel as flat as a pancake
all over. So, first pushed this way and then driven that, and mauled
about generally, I got forced away by degrees from the forward part of
the deck, where I had taken up a position in the thick of the fray, back
again to my original starting-point, the poop; and here, now, ensconcing
myself by the taffrail at the extreme end of the vessel, I thought there
was no danger of anyone asking me to get out of the way or move on any
further, unless they shoved me overboard altogether.

CHAPTER FOUR.

DOWN THE RIVER.

I remained for some time very quiet on the poop, for Mr Mackay was too
busy gi