hammock-nettings, when the stay-whip is hauled upon, carrying her in a
horizontal direction over the gangway, when both whips being lowered,
she is disentangled of her "wrappers and twine," and received in the
arms of a lover, a husband, or a brother, as the case may be. Ladies and
gentlemen, whose curiosity on the subject of whips is still unsatisfied,
will find their theory demonstrated and illustrated by a diagram in
"Enfield's Natural Philosophy."

I have known the somewhat startling nautical command, "Get the whip
ready for the ladies," blanch many a fair cheek with sudden and most
causeless alarm. It cannot be denied that we "gentlemen of the ocean"
have singular names for things; but every thing at sea must have a name,
or there would be no getting along.

I have only farther to remark on this subject, that horses are
infinitely more tractable in taking on board a ship, than ladies; for
the moment the horse perceives his feet are clear of the ground, he
becomes perfectly quiet and passive; whereas, the lady is always quiet
while a handsome young officer is arranging the flags, &c. about her
feet; but as soon as she is fairly in the air, she begins to scream, and
kick, and bounce about, to the imminent risk of her bones; and just at
the time when common sense and instinct teach the quadruped to keep
perfectly still, women, who have but little common sense in such cases,
and no instinct at all, are the most intractable and restless.

Morton followed the last lady, namely, Isabella, and, as he stepped over
the gangway, was accosted by his brother officer.

"What a thundering pretty girl that last one is!"

"She is the governor's niece," said Morton.

"You may tell that to the marines," said Coffin; "I'll be shot if
there's as much Spanish blood in her veins as would grease the point of
a sail-needle."

"They say so ashore," said Morton.

"I don't care what they say; I'll believe my eyes before the best
Spaniard among them."

"Who knows," said Morton, "but that infernal soldier, that's buzzing
about her, may one day be the husband of that sweet girl?"

"There's no knowing," said Coffin, yawning; "but you and I, Charlie,
can't marry all the pretty girls that are like to have fools for
husbands."

As this conversation went on, the mates had walked aft, and were close
behind Isabella, who stood by the companion-way, while the governor, and
his lady, who was not far behind him in corporeal dimensions, were