" * And then I dived till I felt about choked, when I
thought I'd rise, and I came up against what I'm sure
was the keel of a brig, but I kicked out again and came
up t'other side.'

« * What, dived right under the brig ?' I says. * I
ain't a marine, Harry.'

" * True as you sit there,' he says ; ' and then, as I
could hear the gang shouting, I let myself float with the
tide down through the shipping; and I got nearly
jammed between two schooners. But after a bit I
worked myself through, and now swimming, and now



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MY PATIENT THE SAILOR. 273

easing myself along by the anchor chains, I got to where
there was a landing-place between two great warehouses,
and crept np the slippery stone steps dripping like a
rat ; and then, to tell the truth, I forgot all about you
till I'd tramped half way where I stopped and went
to bed while my things were dried for me ; when
I went fast asleep and slept for hours till too late to go
on home. And this morning, so as not to be a bad
shipmate, I came through Southton village, and told
you know who that you was took, for I couldn't face
your old people.'

" * You told Lucy as I was taken ? ' I says, jumping
up.
