learned to steer in smooth water, and could hand and reef the
topsails and knot and splice as well almost as he could. Some things I
did better, as I was much stronger and more active. I was put to do all
sorts of unpleasant work, such as blacking down the rigging, greasing
the masts, and helping Dirty Dick to clean the caboose and sweep out the
forecastle. Though I didn't like it, I went about the duty, however, as
if it was the pleasantest in the world. Pleasant or not, I was thus
rapidly becoming a seaman.

STORY ONE, CHAPTER 2.

I had as before, on reaching the Tyne, to remain and keep ship, though
little Clem went on shore and did not return till we had a fresh cargo
on board, and were just about sailing.

Scarcely were we clear of the river than a heavy gale sprang up and
severely tried the old collier. The seas came washing over her deck,
and none of us for'ard had a dry rag on our backs. When my watch below
came, I was glad to turn in between my now darkly-tinted blankets; but
they soon became as wet as everything else, and when I went on deck to
keep my watch, I had again to put on my damp clothes. The forecastle
was fearfully hot and steamy. We had to keep the fore hatch closed to
prevent the seas which, washing over our decks, would otherwise have
poured down upon us. In a short time, as the ship strained more and
more while she struggled amid the waves, the water made its way through
the deck and sides till there was not a dry space to lie on in our
berths. Then I began really to understand the miseries of forecastle
life on board a collier, and many other craft too, in which British
seamen have to sail; with bad food, bad water, and worse treatment. Ay,
I speak the truth, which I know from experience, they have to live like
dogs, and, too often, die like dogs, with no one to care for them.

Day after day this sort of work continued. I wondered that the captain
did not run back, till I heard him say that the price of coals was up in
the London market, and he wanted to be there before other vessels
arrived to lower it; so, tough seaman as he was, he kept thrashing the
old brig along against the south-westerly gale, which seemed to increase
rather than show any signs of moderating. We had always, during each
watch, to take a spell at the pumps, and now we had to keep them going
without intermission. I took my turn with the rest, and my shoulders
ached before I had done; still I sang and la