"dash of spirit" removed the unpleasant taste by adding another,
which, to my unsophisticated palate, was equally offensive. The
water in every cask proved of a similar character; and I could
hardly imagine how use, or even necessity, could reconcile a
person to such water as that. The problem was solved, but not
entirely to my satisfaction, on my next voyage.

The duties of cabin boy were of a nature different from my
occupations in previous years. They engrossed a considerable
portion of my time; and though they were not the kind of duties I
most loved to perform, I endeavored to accommodate my feelings to
my situation, comforting myself with the belief that the voyage
would not be of long duration, and that I was now taking the
first step in the rugged path which led to fame and fortune.

I devoted the hours which I could spare from my appropriate
duties to the acquisition of a knowledge of seamanship, and
developing its mysteries. I was fond of going aloft when the
vessel was rolling or pitching in a strong breeze. I loved to
mount upon the top-gallant yard, and from that proud eminence,
while rocking to and fro, look down upon the sails and spars of
the brig, take a bird's eye view of the deck, and scan the
various operations; look at the foam beneath the bows, or at the
smooth, eddying, serpentine track left far behind. I also loved
to gaze from this elevated position upon the broad ocean, bounded
on every side by the clear and distant horizon a grand and
sublime sight. And then I indulged in daydreams of the most
pleasing description, and built gay and fantastic castles in the
air, which my reason told me the next moment would never be
realized.