previous exercise they had taken, and she was very soon after sound asleep.

THE BOATSWAIN.

As soon as the Skipper disappeared off deck, the Boatswain knocked the ashes from his pipe, and placing the precious tube carefully in his hat, went aft and entered into conversation with the mate.

We have before observed that Cummings was a regular man-o-war looking sailor, and indeed he was.— There he stood with his arms a-kimbo, his legs spread open in form of the letter V reversed, for the purpose of keeping his body in the centre of gravity,-bis little round hat placed knowingly on one side of his head, and with a swaggering smirk of self-complacency depicted upon his harmless and jocular countenance. Occasionally he rolled the quid of real nigger-head to the star-board side of his mouth, then stepping with a regular swinging movement to leeward, discharged the copious juice of the weed therefrom, at which time the immense thick cue horizontally poking out from beneath the brinks of his hat behind was plain to be seen. jacket had certainly known better days, for it was sadly on the decline, with but a few stray buttons remaining thereon. There was a particular neatness about the tie of his black silk neckkerchief, and his trowsers, which were made of sail cloth, were surprisingly clean for a boatswain, indeed it must have been their first appearance since they were last scrubbed,—their fit as well as the make of his shoes was also very ship-shape and quite in character. Cummings was a short thick man, exceedingly jolly in form, not much unlike a fillet of

His

veal upon castors. Giving his trowsers a hitch up by the waistband, accompanied by a fling out of the left leg, this thorough-bred son of Neptune brought all his speechifying talents to bear for the purpose of spinning a bit of a yarn with his superior officer.

The beautiful little Brigantine continued dancing on her course in all the pride of perfection, a trim and seaworthy vessel. The wind had considerably increased, came upon the craft in a steady easterly

and now

stream.

"I'll tell you what I'm arter thinking, Mr. James," commenced the boatswain, after giving his trowsers another extraordinary hug, and the quid in his mouth a turn, “I dont believe that Skipper of ours takes the lads to be rale mortal individuals like himself."

"Heaven forbid that there should be any more on board the Fanny of the same nature as his, Cummings," answered the mate.

cr

Why, sir, I'm bless'd if he arnt kick'd poor Tom Sanders such a wipe across his mug that he has hactually knock'd adrift three of his front nippers, and the poor fellow has been bleeding ever since.-- Is not that werry barbarous usage, sir, from one individual to another ?— Those men, Mr. James, are nother niggers nor slaves to be used in that way, and I'm blest if ev'ry one on 'em don't know their duty aboard this ere craft a good deal better nor wot he knows his'n."

"I quite agree with you, Cummings-it is very barbarous usage, and I am exceedingly sorry that the willing lads who serve you and myself so cheerfully should be subject to such brutal treatment-but we cannot help ourselves—he is our skipper, and there is no redress to be had here. The men must bear the evil patiently

M

awhile, because if they show the least signs of rebellion, the same would no doubt be reported to certain authorities with considerable embellishments, very much to the poor fellows' disadvantage. It is very likely they would lose their wages for the trip altogether. In my opinion, between ourselves, Cummings, this is what the Captain is endeavouring to accomplish, for I understand he is principal owner of the Fanny, therefore it would be a great saving to him if he could get the passage worked without paying his men the wages due to them."

"I hope, sir, he has not so much dishonest wice in him as all that comes to nother."

"Well, I hope not also, old boy, but it certainly looks very suspicious. Depend upon it, I will not connive at

any such unjust and nefarious plan; -- if an honest man's word is to be taken, I will see that the crew are righted when we arrive in harbour. It is more in consideration of their interest than my own that I keep my temper, and put up with the insults which he is constantly heaping upon me. Were he my equal in years and experience, it might be better tolerated--but to be taunted and treated worse than a dog by one so much my junior, and so unqualified for his post, is almost more than my patience can bear."

"Then why do you bear it, sir?"

66

Because, in some cases, I think it is policy to hold the candle to the you know who, Cummings."

"Well, sir, I've no doubt you act for the best,- you've had more book larning nor me, and therefore can diskiver which is likely to be the safest course to steer. But I must say this, Mr. James, I do wish you were our skipper in place of the smart built young fellow that's just gone below-shiver my timbers if I don't, and that's as

true as my name's Joe Cummings, bo-sun of this ere saucy little Brigantine, the Fanny."

"Thank you, old fellow, for your good wishes. Now, Cummings, just step over to lee-ard, and see how the

sun sets."

"Well, I'm blest if that wornt wot I come to talk to you about, sir, for, do ye see, it looked very comical a bit ago."

"It strikes me, from certain signs, and a few observa、 tions that I have made, that we shall have some roguish wind to night. You, as well as I, have sailed many years in these latitudes, and are consequently well accustomed to them, therefore just step over to lee-ard there, and tell me what you think of it."

The boatswain again hitched up his trowsers, turned his quid over, and then, at the mate's request, literally rolled his fat body to the lee side of the vessel. After gazing at the setting sun for a short while, he went to the head and took a survey to windward, then returned aft, and once more addressed the mate.

"I'll tell you what I'm arter thinking, Mr. James—” "What, Cummings, what?"

"That we shall have a calm before long, and after that you know what follows in these parts as well as I do. Had we not better have those royals and t'gallan-sels off on her, I'm right down sartin sure, sir, that sweetly tapered spar at the fore will not stand the tail end o'this breeze which I can see yonder will soon be with us; the sun too looks unkimmun red and fiery, as though he meant to say there was something brewing that it would not do to play with. There will be an extra hand or two at the bellows there aloft to night, Mr. James, you may depend upon it-if there is not, sir, say that Joe

Cummings, bosun of this ere saucy little Brigantine, is no conjuror, and knows naught about it, that's all."

"I perfectly agree with you, old boy, for that was exactly my opinion of appearances before I asked you for yours-nevertheless two heads are better than one in these matters."

"Most certainly, sir, and in most matters too where ships and women are consarned."

"We'll hand the fore and main royals, haul in the stun'sels, and get the flying jib stowed away. Go forrard, Cummings, and see to this being done immediatly -bear-a-hand, old boy, bear-a-hand."

66

Ay, ay, sir," answered the boatswain, in a cheerful voice, as he sprung from the side of the mate to the fore part of the ship to see these orders executed.

It was well that Mr. James, had taken such prudent precaution in having the lesser sails furled. The tail end of the breeze, as the boatswain had prognosticated, was very strong, and there is no doubt but that it would have carried away the spars and smaller booms if the canvass had been allowed to remain upon them. Suddenly it ceased to be a breeze, and a dead calm was upon the ocean.

THE CALM.

A DEAD calm was upon the ocean.-A dismal and ominous croaking was heard to proceed from aloft: it was the voice of the Brigantine's consort vainly striving to settle her weary limbs upon the vane at the main-royalmast head; where she at length gained a footing. A hollow rumbling sound, like the rushing of a great wind, was heard beneath: the sea, which was fast rising into