that I began to hold myself up, and drink in the life-giving freshness
of the salt breezes with something that came quite close to hope, and
was not far off enjoyment. As to the stanchions, I was downright proud
of them, and was rubbing away, brightening the brass, and getting the
blood comfortably circulated through my body, when, with the usual
running and shouting, a crowd of men poured on to the poop with
long-handled scrubbing-brushes and big tubs, &c., followed by others
dragging a fire-hose. No time was lost in charging the hose with water
(a plentiful commodity!), and this was squirted into every hole and
cranny in all directions, whilst the first lot of men rubbed and
scrubbed and brushed most impartially all over the place.

I went quietly on with my work, but when the stream threatened a group
of stanchions, so highly polished that I could not endure the notion of
a speck on their brightness, I lifted them out of harm's way, and with
the clatter of this movement drew the attention of the plier of the
hose.

"Why, bless my stars, garters, and hornaments of hall sorts!" said he;
"if 'ere ain't the young gentleman of fortin on the poop deck in his
Sunday pumps!" and without more ado he let fly the water, first at my
feet and then upwards, till I was soused from head to foot, and the
scrubbers and swabbers laughed at my gasps as I know I could not have
moved their sense of humour if I had had the finest wit in the world.
However, I suppose they had had to take as well as give such merriment
in their time; and I keenly remember Biddy's parting hint that the
"good-nature of my ways" would be my best friend in this rough society.
So I laughed and shook myself, and turning up my sleeves to my elbows,
and my trousers to my knees, I also denuded myself of boots and socks
and put them aside.