80
THE ALARMED SKIPPER
A skipper grey, whose eyes were dim,
Could tell, by tasting, just the spot,
And so below he'd "dowse the glim"—
After, of course, his "something hot."
Could tell, by tasting, just the spot,
And so below he'd "dowse the glim"—
After, of course, his "something hot."
Snug in his berth, at eight o'clock,
This ancient skipper might be found;
No matter how his craft would rock,
He slept—for skippers' naps are sound!
This ancient skipper might be found;
No matter how his craft would rock,
He slept—for skippers' naps are sound!
The watch on deck would now and then
Run down and wake him, with the lead;
He'd up, and taste, and tell the men
How many miles they went ahead.
Run down and wake him, with the lead;
He'd up, and taste, and tell the men
How many miles they went ahead.
One night, 't was Jotham Marden's watch,
A curious wag,—the pedlar's son,—
And so he mused, (the wanton wretch,)
"To-night I'll have a grain of fun.
A curious wag,—the pedlar's son,—
And so he mused, (the wanton wretch,)
"To-night I'll have a grain of fun.
