Helena. All the Jews have cut and run, and all the
bumboat-women retired upon their fortunes; the poor landlords are
most of them in the bilboes at Winchester: and as for a pretty
girl--whew!--not such an article to be had at Point now, either for
love or money: and all this comes of the peace--shiver my odd forelight!
mate, if it lasts much longer, it will be the ruin of the navy.
~185~~~How I long to hear the sound of the boatswain's whistle once
more! 'Up hammocks, boys--clear the decks, and prepare for action!
'that's the way to live and be merry; then the music of a good broadside
pouring into an enemy's under-works, and cutting her slap in two between
wind and water--that's glory, my christian! May I never taste grog
again, if we are not all ruined by the peace. There's only one fighting
fellow left of the old stock of commanders, and they have turned him
out of the navy lest he should infect the psalm-singers. Look out a-head
there, shipmate; d'ye see that fine frigate, the Peranga, now lying oft'
Spithead, and can you ever forget Basque Roads and the gallant Cochrane?
I just got a glimpse of his figure head t'other morning, coming up
Point here; so I hauled to and threw my shattered hulk slap across his
headway, lowering my top-gallants as I passed round under his bows.
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