We were not long
in selecting one of the fleetest--looking of those very fleet boats, when
we all trundled on board; and I now witnessed what struck me as being an
awful sign of the times. The very coachman of the stuhl wagen, after
conversing a moment with his master, returned to his team, tied the legs
of the poor creatures as they stood, and then with a sharp knife cut their
jugular veins through and through on the right side, having previously
reined them up sharp to the left, so that, before starting, we could see
three of the team, which consisted of four superb bays, level with the
soil and dead; the near wheeler only holding out on his fore--legs.
We shoved off at eleven o'clock in the forenoon; and after having twice
been driven into creeks on the Holstein shore by bad weather, we arrived
about two next morning safely on board the Torch, which immediately got
under weigh for England. After my story had been told to the Captain, I
left my preserver, his father, and his sisters in his hands, and I need
scarcely say that they had as hearty a welcome as the worthy old soul
could give them, and dived into the midshipmen's berth for a morsel of
comfort, where, in a twinkling, I was far into the secrets of a pork pie.
CHAPTER II
The Cruise of the Torch.
Sleep, gentle sleep--
Wilt thou, upon the high and giddy mast,
Seal up the shipboy's eyes, and rock his brains,
In cradle of the rude imperious surge;
And in the visitation of the winds,
Who take the ruffian billows by the top,
Curling their monstrous heads, and hanging them
With deafning clamour in the slippery clouds,
That, with the hurry, death itself awakes--
Canst thou, O partial sleep! give thy repose
To the wet sea--boy in an hour so rude?
2 HENRY IV, Ill.
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