liers, the noisy gossip of water-side characters on Saturday
night--these things fill up the measure of his observation. He lives out
his hard-working, hard-drinking life like the stupid Englishman he is;
and when he dies his fights are remembered and his prowess lauded by
generous mourners.

BLOWN NORTH.

The brig "Wansbeck" sailed on a February day at about four in the
afternoon. She was a fine little vessel, but very badly found in sails
and running-gear. The crew had signed for a voyage to Malmo; and the
owner hurried the ship away because he feared she might be "neaped" in
the little river, as the tides were taking off. The cargo was very badly
stowed; and when the pilot came on board it was discovered that part of
the pump-gear had not arrived. The captain told the owner of this; and
that gentleman said the ship should go to sea without any pumps at all
rather than he would see her lie on the mud. So the moorings were cast
off, and the tug took the tow-rope on board. Luckily, just as the
stern-rope was cast off, the missing pump-gear came to hand.

The sky was heavy and grey; a snoring breeze blew from the E.N.E., and
the vessel went away on a south-east course under double-reefed topsails
and foresail. Everything moveable about the decks was secured, and the
pumps were set on; but after pumping for an hour, and not getting even a
rolling suck, the mate gave orders to sound; when, to the dismay of the
crew, it was found that nine inches of water still remained in the well.
The men had been hard at work all day; there was every sign of a heavy
easterly gale; yet the dismal work of pumping had to go steadily on. At
midnight the gale increased, and the watch was called out to close-reef
the topsails. The owner would not have been pleased had he heard the
language that was used by the men on the yard-arms. One speaker went so
far as to express a wish that his employer was lashed under the cathead;
and, since the cathead was never above water, the suggestion was
received with much applause. The "Wansbeck" had sailed on the 8th of the
month, and until the 11th the pumps were kept constantly going. The
morning of the 12th broke with a wan glare in the sky, and a tremendous
sea came away. The captain was obliged to veer the ship with her head to
the north, and she went away fast before the gale under two close-reefed
topsails. The men's hands were beginning to get badly damaged by the
constant labour, but no res