uarter-deck, and stood there
until the vessel sank and the sea flowed over him. The
opinion at the time was that he could have saved his life if
he had made an effort to do so. I question this very much,
as many of the people were picked up in the water, clinging
to wreckage; the boats being overcrowded. The only way by
which he could have been saved was to displace some one or
clutch at a piece of wreck. He preferred death to the
former, and there is no evidence that he did not attempt to
save himself by means of the latter. The probability is that
he gave any such opportunity to some drowning man or woman,
and sacrificed himself. Honour to this brave man who died,
not while taking life, but in saving it!

CHAPTER XI

CHANTIES

The signing on and the sailing from Liverpool or London
docks of these vessels were not only exciting but pathetic
occasions. The chief officer usually had authority to pick
the crew. The men would be brought into the yard and formed
into line. The chanty-man was generally the first selection,
and care was taken that the balance should be good
choristers, and that all were able to produce good
discharges for conduct and ability. It was a great sight to
see the majestic-looking vessels sail away. The dock walls
would be crowded with sympathetic audiences who had come not
only to say farewell, but to listen to the sweet though
sombre refrain that charged the air with the enchanting
pathos and beauty of "Goodbye, fare you well." The like of
it has never been heard since those days. Attempts have been
made to reproduce the original, and have failed. Nobody can
reproduce anything like it, because it is a gift
exclusively the sailors' own, and the charm filled the soul
with delightful emotions that caught you like a strong wind.

The chanty-man was a distinguished person whom it was
impolitic to ignore. He was supposed to combine the genius
of a musical prodigy and an impromptu poet! If his
composition was directed to any real or even imaginary
grievances, it was always listened to by sensible captains
and officers without showing any indications of ill-humour.
Indeed, I have seen captains laugh very heartily at these
exquisite comic thrusts which were intended to shape the
policy of himself and his officers towards the crew. If the
captain happened to be a person of no humour and without the
sense of music this method of conveyance was abortive, but
it went on all the same until na