"is a floating fire engine, for the protection of
shipping, and sometimes very useful in cases of fire on the banks of the
river."

"An excellent idea," continued Bob, "because they can never be in want
of water."

"Will you sit a little more this way, Sir, if you please? we shall trim
better."

Bob rose hastily upon this intimation; and had not his Cousin caught him
by the coat, would have trimmed himself into the watery element.

"Zounds, man, you had nearly upset us all. You must trim the boat, and
sit steady, or we shall all go to Davey's locker. You must not attempt
to dance in such a vehicle as this."

Bob's confusion at this circumstance created laughter to his two
friends, which however he could not exactly enjoy with the same relish;
nor did he perfectly recover himself till they were safely landed at
Tower Stairs.

"Now," said Tom, "I propose a peep at the interior of this place, a row
down to Greenwich to dinner, and then a touch at the rowing match; what
say you--agreed on all hands."

~~291~~~ "Then," said the Hon. Tom Dashall, "wait for us here old boy,
and you shall be our conveyancer."

"I don't know nothing of you, gentlemen; and you understand me, I'm
not a going to be done--I'm too old a hand to be catch'd in that there
fashion; but if so be you engages me for the day, you can take the
number of my boat--but then you must tip."

"Right," said Sparkle, "who knows whether we shall escape the Lions, and
then how is old rough and tough to get paid."

"You'll excuse me, gentlemen, I don't mean no affront upon my soul; but
I have stood the nonsense before now, and been flung--but I von't
be sarved out in that there way any more. I am up to the gossip, and
expects you'll come down with the rag."

"Certainly," said Tom Dashall with a smile; "I am aware of the hint,
which by the way is pretty broadly conveyed, therefore be satisfied;
"and giving him a sovereign, they proceeded into the Tower.

The entrance to the Tower from the wharf is by a drawbridge, near to
which is a cut connecting the river with the ditch, having a water gate,
called Traitor's Gate; state prisoners having been formerly conveyed by
this passage from the Tower to Westminster for trial; and over this gate
is the water-works which supply the fortress.

Having passed the drawbridge, Bob looked around him, almost conceiving
himself in a new world; he saw houses and streets, of which he had
formed no conception.

"Zounds," s