I could not expect such fine times to
last long.
While on deck, the regular work of the ship went on. The sailmaker
and carpenter worked between decks, and the crew had their work to
do upon the rigging, drawing yarns, making spun-yarn, etc., as usual
in merchantmen. The night watches were much more pleasant than on
board the Pilgrim. There, there were so few in a watch, that, one
being at the wheel, and another on the look-out, there was no one left
to talk with; but here, we had seven in a watch, so that we had long
yarns, in abundance. After two or three night watches, I became
quite well acquainted with all the larboard watch. The sailmaker was
the head man of the watch, and was generally considered most
experienced seaman on board. He was a thoroughbred old
man-of-war's-man, had been to sea twenty-two years, in all kinds of
vessels- men-of-war, privateers, slavers, and merchantmen;- everything
except whalers, which a thorough sailor despises, and will always
steer clear of, if he can. He had, of course, been in all parts of the
world, and was remarkable for drawing a long bow. His yarns frequently
stretched through a watch, and kept all hands awake.
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