o begged about formerly, under pretext of
having served in the wars.

RULE OF THUMB. That rule suggested by a practical rather than a
scientific knowledge. In common matters it means to estimate by guess,
not by weight or measure.

RULES OF THE SEA. Certain practices and regulations as to steerage,
which are recognized by seamen as well as by law, in order to prevent
the collision of ships, or to determine who has contravened them;
precedents in one sense, custom in another.

RULE-STAFF. A lath about 4 inches in breadth, used for curves in
ship-building.

RUMBELOW. A very favourite burden to an old sea-song, of which vestiges
still remain.

RUMBO. Rope stolen from a royal dockyard.

RUM-GAGGER. A cheat who tells wonderful stories of his sufferings at sea
to obtain money.

RUMMAGE. The search by custom-house officers for smuggled goods.

RUN. The distance sailed by a ship. Also, used among sailors to imply
the agreement to work a single passage from one place to another, as
from Jamaica to England, and so forth.--_To make a run._ To sway with
alacrity.

RUN, CLEAN. When the after part of a ship's form exhibits a long clean
curvature approaching to a wedge.--_Full run._ When it is otherwise.

RUN OF THE ICE. In Arctic parlance, implies that the ice is suddenly
impelled by a rushing motion, arising from currents at a distance.

RUN, TO LOWER BY THE. To let go altogether, instead of lowering with a
turn on a cleat or bitt-head.

RUN ATHWART A SHIP'S COURSE, TO. To cross her path.

RUN AWAY WITH HER ANCHOR. Said of a ship when she drags or "shoulders"
her anchor; drifting away owing to the anchor not holding, for want,
perhaps, of sufficient range of cable.

RUN AWAY WITH IT! The order to men on a tackle fall, when light goods
are being hoisted in, or in hoisting top-sails, jib, or studding-sails.

RUNDLE. That part of a capstan round which the messenger is wound,
including the drumhead. (_See_ WHELPS.)

RUN DOWN A COAST, TO. To sail along it, keeping parallel to or skirting
its dangers.

RUN DOWN A VESSEL, TO. To pass over, into, or foul her by running
against her end-on, so as to jeopardize her.

RUNE [from the Teutonic _rennen_, to flow]. A water-course.

RUNGS. The same as the floor or ground timbers, and whose ends are the
rung-heads. Also, a spoke, and the step or round of a ladder.

RUNLET. A measure of wine, oil, &c., containing eighteen gallons and a
half.

RUN-MONEY. The money paid for a