They were, generally speaking, hardy, weather beaten
men, and the greater proportion half, or more than half drunk. When I
entered, I walked up to the landlord.
"Yo ho, my young un, whence and whither bound, my hearty?"
"The first don't signify much to you," said I, "seeing I have wherewithal
in the locker to pay my shot; and as to the second, of that hereafter; so,
old boy, let's have some grog, and then say if you can ship me with one of
them cowers that are lying alongside the quay?"
"My eye, what a lot of brass that small chap has!" grumbled mine host.
"Why, my lad, we shall see to--morrow morning; but you gammons so bad about
the rhino, that we must prove you a bit; so, Kate, my dear,"--to the pretty
girl who had let me in--"score a pint of rum against--why, what is your
name?"
"What's that to you?" rejoined I, "let's have the drink, and don't doubt
but the shiners shall be forthcoming."
"Hurrah!" shouted the party, most of them now very tipsy. So the rum was
produced forthwith, and as I lighted a pipe and filled a glass of swizzle,
I struck in, "Messmates, I hope you have all shipped?"
"No, we haven't," said some of them.
"Nor shall we be in any hurry, boy," said others.
"Do as you please, but I shall, as soon as I can, I know; and I recommend
all of you making yourselves scarce to--night, and keeping a bright
look--out."
"Why, boy, why?"
"Simply because I have just escaped a press--gang, by bracing sharp up at
the corner of the street, and shoving into this dark alley here.
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