clock-work. Now there was one of the
streets which was chiefly occupied by music sellers and Italian
singers--for them foreigners always herd together--and this tune, "which
the old cow died of," as the saying is, used to be their horror, and out
came the halfpence to send him away. There was a sort of club also in
that street, of larking sort of young men; and when they perceived that
the others gave the old man money to get rid of his squeaking, they sent
him out money, with orders to stay and play to them, so then the others
sent out more for him to go away, and between the two, the old fellow
brought home more money than all the cadgers and mumpers in the
district. Now if you have a loud voice, I can provide you with all the
rest.'--`Do you gain your livelihood by that?'--`To be sure I do; and I
can tell you, that of all the trades going, there is none equal to it.
You see, my hearty, I have been on board of a man-of-war--not that I'm a
sailor, or was ever bred to the sea--but I was shipped as a landsman,
and did duty in the waist and afterguard. I know little or nothing of
my duty as a seaman, nor was it required in the station I was in, so I
never learnt, although I was four years on board; all I learnt was the
lingo and slang--and that you must contrive to learn from me. I bolted,
and made my way good to Lunnun, but I should soon have been picked up
and put on board the Tender again, if I hadn't got this wooden stump
made, which I now carry in my hand. I had plenty of songs, and I
commenced my profession, and a real good 'un it is, I can tell you.
Why, do you know, that a'ter a good victory, I have sometimes picked up
as much as two pounds a day, for weeks running; as it is, I averages
from fifteen shillings to a pound. Now, as you helped me away from that
land shark, who would soon have found out that I had two legs, and have
put me into limbo as an impostor, I will teach you to arn your
livelihood after my fashion. You shall work with me until you are fit
to start alone, and then there's plenty of room in England for both of
us; but mind, never tell anyone what you pick up, or every mumper in the
island will put on a suit of sailor's clothes, and the thing will be
blown upon.' Of course, this was too good an offer to be rejected, and
I joyfully acceded. At first, I worked with him as having only one arm,
the other being tied down to my side, and my jacket sleeve hanging loose
and empty, and we roared aw