In a few minutes seven bells were struck, the
log hove, the watch called, and we went to breakfast. Here I cannot
but remember the advice of the cook, a simple-hearted African.
"Now," says he, "my lad, you are well cleaned out; you haven't got a
drop of your 'long-shore swash aboard of you. You must begin on a
new tack,- pitch all your sweetmeats overboard, and turn-to upon good
hearty salt beef and sea bread, and I'll promise you, you'll have your
ribs well sheathed, and be as hearty as any of 'em, afore you are up
to the Horn." This would be good advice to give to passengers, when
they speak of the little niceties which they have laid in, in case
of sea-sickness.
I cannot describe the change which half a pound of cold salt beef
and a biscuit or two produced in me. I was a new being. We had a watch
below until noon, so that I had some time to myself; and getting a
huge piece of strong, cold, salt beef from the cook, I kept gnawing
upon it until twelve o'clock. When we went on deck I felt somewhat
like a man, and could begin to learn my sea duty with considerable
spirit. At about two o'clock we heard the loud cry of "Sail ho!"
from aloft, and soon saw two sails to windward, going directly athwart
our hawse.
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