They were always
amusing from their improbability, and, indeed, he never expected to be
believed, but spun them merely for amusement; and as he had some humor
and a good supply of man-of-war slang and sailor's salt phrases, he
always made fun. Next to him in age and experience, and, of course, in
standing in the watch, was an English-man, named Harris, of whom I
shall have more to say hereafter. Then, came two or three Americans,
who had been the common run of European and South American voyages,
and one who had been in a "spouter," and, of course, had all the
whaling stories to himself. Last of all, was a broad-backed,
thick-headed boy from Cape Cod, who had been in mackerel schooners,
and was making his first voyage in a square-rigged vessel. He was born
in Hingham, and of course was called "Bucketmaker." The other watch
was composed of about the same number. A tall, fine-looking Frenchman,
with coal-black whiskers and curly hair, a first-rate seaman, and
named John, (one name is enough for a sailor,) was the head man of the
watch. Then came two Americans (one of whom had been a dissipated
young man of property and family, and was reduced to duck trowsers and
monthly wages,) a German, an English lad, named Ben, who belonged on
the mizen topsail yard with me, and was a good sailor for his years,
and two Boston boys just from the public schools.
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