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Article PENCILLIJSTGS FEOM THE SKETCH-BOOK OF A ... ← Page 5 of 7 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Pencillijstgs Feom The Sketch-Book Of A ...
gether I was glad to vacate for the nonce so uncomfortable a place for the more agreeable though chilly and damp atmosphere of the deck , which , as the captain , it was understood , would be on board in the morning , and the chief mate had received orders to prepare for weighing anchor , was now in much seeming confusion , from the laying out of spars , booms , and sails . But I found my advantage in this move : for seeing a Bengal cadet in a similar plight , and like
myself anxious to escape from his companion , we devised , and pondered together on the feasibility of securing a cabin betwixt us for the voyage . Prom the non-arrival of an expected passenger , ^ we ultimately succeeded in accomplishing our object , gaining jointpossession of a large and excellent one , that of the lower stern or port side .
As day dawned , our party were aroused from their slumbers by the wheeling of the capstan , the rough and jarring noise of which would awaken the most lethargic subject . The scene now became of a very heterogeneous character : combined with the weighing of the anchor , were to be heard the loud voices of the mariners , all actively employed in making sail , mingled with the unceasing clamour and cackling of some hundreds of fowls and ducks , styled in nautical
phraseology , sea-organs , all huddled together in the hen-coops— - squeaking of pigs , bleating of sheep , and last , though not least of all , the barking and yelling of a pack of hounds in a crib , destined for some sporting gentleman in India . The morn was a delightful one : the sun shone forth in unclouded majesty , and the clear horizon was in striking and pleasing contrast with the wretched weather of the previous day . "While we were viewing Tilbury Fort on the one side of the Thames , and Gravesend on the other , ruminating on a
start , our skipper arrived , bringing with him two gentlemen , owners of the ship , who , after a brief inspection , and satisfying themselves that all was snug and right , left ns to our own meditations , wishing us , on their departure , a short , safe , and pleasant voyage . " Teo , ho ! my hearties , ho ! yeo ! heave and go ! " sung the Jack Tars , as , hauling in the cable with might and main , the more immediate preparations for sailing commenced . Our anchor being in , the rotatory movement of the capstan was at an end , the pilot ' s loud and sailor-like voice was heard fore and aft with deferential silence and
attention , and by noon our sails being fully spread , a fine and stiff breeze in a moment filled them , and off we started onthe passage , scudding under unfurled royals with all possible expedition . Majestically gliding through the waters , our bark bore in some degree a resemblance to many aboard her . "With fair prospects she had set out on her voyage , and so too had the youthful soldier started on the passage of life .
" The wind sung , cordage strain d , And the ship crcak'd , the town became a speck , JJrom which away so fair and last wo bore . " There is something Jar higher and more fascinating , I conceive , in witnessing the departure of a ship in full sail , than that of a steamer ;
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Pencillijstgs Feom The Sketch-Book Of A ...
gether I was glad to vacate for the nonce so uncomfortable a place for the more agreeable though chilly and damp atmosphere of the deck , which , as the captain , it was understood , would be on board in the morning , and the chief mate had received orders to prepare for weighing anchor , was now in much seeming confusion , from the laying out of spars , booms , and sails . But I found my advantage in this move : for seeing a Bengal cadet in a similar plight , and like
myself anxious to escape from his companion , we devised , and pondered together on the feasibility of securing a cabin betwixt us for the voyage . Prom the non-arrival of an expected passenger , ^ we ultimately succeeded in accomplishing our object , gaining jointpossession of a large and excellent one , that of the lower stern or port side .
As day dawned , our party were aroused from their slumbers by the wheeling of the capstan , the rough and jarring noise of which would awaken the most lethargic subject . The scene now became of a very heterogeneous character : combined with the weighing of the anchor , were to be heard the loud voices of the mariners , all actively employed in making sail , mingled with the unceasing clamour and cackling of some hundreds of fowls and ducks , styled in nautical
phraseology , sea-organs , all huddled together in the hen-coops— - squeaking of pigs , bleating of sheep , and last , though not least of all , the barking and yelling of a pack of hounds in a crib , destined for some sporting gentleman in India . The morn was a delightful one : the sun shone forth in unclouded majesty , and the clear horizon was in striking and pleasing contrast with the wretched weather of the previous day . "While we were viewing Tilbury Fort on the one side of the Thames , and Gravesend on the other , ruminating on a
start , our skipper arrived , bringing with him two gentlemen , owners of the ship , who , after a brief inspection , and satisfying themselves that all was snug and right , left ns to our own meditations , wishing us , on their departure , a short , safe , and pleasant voyage . " Teo , ho ! my hearties , ho ! yeo ! heave and go ! " sung the Jack Tars , as , hauling in the cable with might and main , the more immediate preparations for sailing commenced . Our anchor being in , the rotatory movement of the capstan was at an end , the pilot ' s loud and sailor-like voice was heard fore and aft with deferential silence and
attention , and by noon our sails being fully spread , a fine and stiff breeze in a moment filled them , and off we started onthe passage , scudding under unfurled royals with all possible expedition . Majestically gliding through the waters , our bark bore in some degree a resemblance to many aboard her . "With fair prospects she had set out on her voyage , and so too had the youthful soldier started on the passage of life .
" The wind sung , cordage strain d , And the ship crcak'd , the town became a speck , JJrom which away so fair and last wo bore . " There is something Jar higher and more fascinating , I conceive , in witnessing the departure of a ship in full sail , than that of a steamer ;