e of pigs, little and
big, were at the same time to be seen dubbing their snouts under the
gunnel, on voyages of alimentary discovery. I was immediately pulled
down between two really handsome lasses in the circle; and, with
something like savage hospitality, had my cheeks stuffed with the
burning potatoes.

Never was there a more hilarious meeting. I and my Tom Thumb of a boat,
and my minikin crew, I could well understand, though my hosts spoke in
their mother tongue, were the subjects of their incessant and
uncontrollable bursts of laughter. But with all this, they were by no
means rude, and showed me that sort of respect that servants do to the
petted child of their master: that is to say, they were inclined to be
very patronising, and very careful of me, in spite of myself; and to
humour me greatly. My two boys, whom I have so often dignified with the
imposing title of my boat's crew, though treated with less or no respect
at all, were welcomed in a manner equally kind.

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE.

RALPH FIGURETH AT A BALL, EXCELLETH, AND AFTERWARDS SLEEPETH--HE
RETURNETH ON BOARD, AND HATH BOTH HIS TOILS AND HIS SAND UNDERVALUED,
AND THUS DISCOVERETH THE GRATITUDE OF FIRST-LIEUTENANTS.

Not yet having sufficiently Hibernised my taste to luxuriate on
Raleigh's root, plain, with salt, I begged them to procure me something
more placable to an English appetite. I gave money to my hosts, and
they procured me eggs and bacon. I might also have had a fowl, but I
did not wish to devour guests to whom on my boat's keel I had given such
recent hospitality. They returned me my full change, and, though there
was more than enough of what they cooked for me to satisfy myself and
boys, they would not partake of the remains, until I assured them, that
if they did not I would throw them away. At this intimation they
disappeared in a twinkling.

Then came the whiskey--the real dew. I never touched it. I have before
stated, that for three years I abstained from all spirituous liquors.
My lads had made no such resolution. The big iron pot was now, like an
honest old sailor that had done his duty, kicked aside the corner; the
drummer and fifer seating themselves on the keel of the inverted dinghy,
and struck up a lilt, and:--

"Off they went so gaily O!"

More lads and lasses came in, and jigs and reels succeeded each other
with such rapidity, that, notwithstanding the copious supplies of
whiskey, the drummer's arms