This, I
seized immediately, and going to my hammock, lay there, swinging and
reading, until the watch was out. The between-decks were clear, the
hatchways open, and a cool breeze blowing through them, the ship under
easy way, and everything comfortable. I had just got well into the
story, when eight bells were struck, and we were all ordered to
dinner. After dinner came our watch on deck for four hours, and, at
four o'clock, I went below again. turned into my hammock, and read
until the dog watch. As no lights were allowed after eight o'clock,
there was no reading in the night watch. Having light winds and calms,
we were three days on the passage, and each watch below, during the
daytime, I spent in the same manner, until I had finished my book. I
shall never forget the enjoyment I derived from it. To come across
anything with the slightest claims to literary merit, was so
unusual, that this was a perfect feast to me. The brilliancy of the
book, the succession of capital hits, lively and characteristic
sketches, kept me in a constant state of pleasing sensations. It was
far too good for a sailor.
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