hrowing stone-balls.

PEDRO-A-PIED [_Pedro-pee_]. The balance on one leg in walking a plank as
a proof of sobriety. A man placed one foot on a seam and flourished the
other before and behind, singing, "How can a man be drunk when he can
dance Pedro-pee," at which word he placed the foot precisely before the
other on the seam, till he proved at least he had not lost his
equilibrium. This was an old custom.

PEECE. An old term for a fortified position.

PEEGAGH. The Manx or Erse term for a large skate.

PEEK. _See_ PEAK.

PEEL. A stronghold of earth and timber for defence. Also, the wash of an
oar.

PEGASUS. One of the ancient northern constellations, of which the lucida
is Markab.

PEKUL. A Chinese commercial weight of about 130 or 132 lbs.

PELAGIANS. Fishes of the open sea.

PELICAN. A well-known water-bird. Also, the old six-pounder culverin.

PELL [from the British _pwll_]. A deep hole of water, generally beneath
a cataract or any abrupt waterfall. Also, a large pond.

PELLET. An old word for shot or bullet.

PELLET-POWDER. Has its grains much larger and smoother, and is intended
to act more gradually than service gunpowder, but by the English it is
at present considered rather weak.

PELTA. An ancient shield or buckler, formed of scales sewed on skins.

PEMBLICO. A small bird whose cry was deemed ominous at sea as presaging
wind.

PEMMICAN. Condensed venison, or beef, used by the hunters around
Hudson's Bay, and largely provided for the Arctic voyages, as containing
much nutriment in a small compass. Thin slices of lean meat are dried
over the smoke of wood fires; they are then pounded and mixed with an
equal weight of their own fat. It is generally boiled and eaten hot
where fire is available.

PEN. A cape or conical summit. Also, the Creole name for houses and
plantations in the country. Also, an inclosure for fishing on the
coast.

PENA, OR PENON. High rocks on the Spanish coasts.

PENANG LAWYER. A cane, with the administration of which debts were wont
to be settled at Pulo-Penang.

PENCEL. A small streamer or pennon.

PENDANT. _See_ PENNANT.

PENDANT. A strop or short piece of rope fixed on each side, under the
shrouds, upon the heads of the main and fore masts, from which it hangs
as low as the cat-harpings, having an iron thimble spliced into an eye
at the lower end to receive the hooks of the main and fore tackles.
There are besides many other pendants, single or double ropes, to t