dirtyweathercameon，andthenworseweather，andwhenweleastexpecteditwegotintotremendousdifficulties。Screwlooseinthechartperhaps-somethingcertainlywrongsomewhere-butherewewerewithbreakersahead，mylads，drivingheadon，slaponaleeshore！TheSkipperbroachedthisterrificannouncementinsuchgreatagitation，thatthesmallfifer，notfifeingnow，butstandinglookingonnearthewheelwithhisfifeunderhisarm，seemedforthemomentquiteunboyed，thoughhespeedilyrecoveredhispresenceofmind。Inthetryingcircumstancesthatensued，theSkipperandthecrewprovedworthyofoneanother。TheSkippergotdreadfullyhoarse，butotherwisewasmasterofthesituation。Themanatthewheeldidwonders；allhandsexceptthefiferwereturneduptowearship；andIobservedthefifer，whenwewereatourgreatestextremity，torefertosomedocumentinhiswaistcoat-
pocket，whichIconceivedtobehiswill。Ithinkshestruck。I
wasnotmyselfconsciousofanycollision，butIsawtheSkippersoveryoftenwashedoverboardandbackagain，thatIcouldonlyimputeittothebeatingoftheship。Iamnotenoughofaseamantodescribethemanoeuvresbywhichweweresaved，buttheymadetheSkipperveryhotFrenchpolishinghismahoganyfaceandthecrewverynimble，andsucceededtoamarvel；for，withinafewminutesofthefirstalarm，wehadworeshipandgotheroff，andwerealla-tauto-whichIfeltverygratefulfor:notthatIknewwhatitwas，butthatIperceivedthatwehadnotbeenalla-tautolately。Landnowappearedonourweather-bow，andweshapedourcourseforit，havingthewindabeam，andfrequentlychangingthemanatthehelm，inorderthateverymanmighthavehisspell。Weworkedintoharbourunderprosperouscircumstances，andfurledoursails，andsquaredouryards，andmadeallship-shapeandhandsome，andsoourvoyageended。WhenIcomplimentedtheSkipperatpartingonhisexertionsandthoseofhisgallantcrew，heinformedmethatthelatterwereprovidedfortheworst，allhandsbeingtaughttoswimanddive；andheaddedthattheableseamanatthemain-topmasttruckespecially，coulddiveasdeepashecouldgohigh。
ThenextadventurethatbefellmeinmyvisittotheShort-Timers，wasthesuddenapparitionofamilitaryband。Ihadbeeninspectingthehammocksofthecrewofthegoodship，whenIsawwithastonishmentthatseveralmusicalinstruments，brazenandofgreatsize，appearedtohavesuddenlydevelopedtwolegseach，andtobetrottingaboutayard。AndmyastonishmentwasheightenedwhenIobservedalargedrum，thathadpreviouslybeenleaninghelplessagainstawall，takingupastoutpositiononfourlegs。
Approachingthisdrumandlookingoverit，Ifoundtwoboysbehindititwastoomuchforone，andthenIfoundthateachofthebrazeninstrumentshadbroughtoutaboy，andwasgoingtodiscoursesweetsounds。Theboys-notomittingthefifer，nowplayinganewinstrument-weredressedinneatuniform，andstoodupinacircleattheirmusic-stands，likeanyotherMilitaryBand。