186

"NOW, BOYS, POUR IT ON THEM SMARTLY!" 236

A NORTHUMBERLAND HARBOUR 288

I

THE WILD NORTH SEA

There was a large fleet of sailing brigs, barques and schooners waiting
for a favourable wind and spring tides, so that they might be put to
sea without running the risk of thumping their keels off on the Bar.
The vessels had been loaded for several weeks. Many of them were bound
to the Baltic. These were spoken of as the "Spring Fleet." The older
and smaller craft were engaged in the coasting trade, and the larger
were bound to ports in the southern hemisphere. Each of them carried
three or four apprentices; but the southern-going portion did not deem
the collier lads "classy" enough to permit of them forming close
comradeship. A condescending speaking-acquaintance was the limit of
their connection. There was nothing to justify this snobbery, for in
point of comparison the average collier lad in seamanship and physical
capacity was the equal, and in intelligence by no means inferior to the
young gentlemen who regarded the class of vessel they served aboard of
as a stamp of their own superiority. They were indeed a species of that
terrible creature who apes nobility because he lives in a mansion.
Occasionally the collier lads resented the lofty airs of the
southern-going gentry, until open hostility ensued and much blood was
spilt. But pugilistic encounters were conducted on strictly
professional lines, and no ill-will was supposed to exist on the part
of the combatants after they were over. That was the rule laid down,
and a breach of it brought disgrace on the violator and his coadjutors,
who were thereupon ostracised from the party to which they belonged.
The necessity for enforcing the penalty rarely occurred, not only
because of its severity, but because it involved loss of honour.

A disagreement as to valour and prowess and seamanship had arisen
between some sailor lads who belonged to the two different sections.
They decided that their differences could only be settled by being
fought out on neutral ground. This was solemnly chosen, a ring formed,
seconds appointed, and the contest began. In half-an-hour victory was
decided in favour of the collier boy, though with all the fulness of
sailor generosity his opponent received an ungrudging share of the
ovation that was given to the cha