He was quite intolerant of
railways, too; but then his first experience of the locomotive engine
was not pleasant. Somehow he got on to the railway line on a hazy night;
and just as the train had slowed down to enter the station the engine
struck him and knocked him over. The engine-driver became aware of a
brief burst of strong language, and in great alarm called upon two
porters to walk along the line to see what had happened. They did so of
course, and when they got to the place of the accident the light of
their lanterns revealed the pilot perfectly sound and engaged in
brushing dirt off his clothes. When he saw the bright buttons of the
railway officials the thought of the police came instantly into his
mind, and he said, "Here, now, you needn't be taking me up; if I've done
any damage to your engine I'll pay for it." At another time he was
bringing a ship northwards when he was invited by the captain to run
down below and help himself to a nip of brandy. After taking his brandy
he proceeded to light his pipe at the stove. Now the captain possessed a
large monkey, and the creature was shivering near the fire. The pilot
said, "A gurly day, sir;" and the monkey gave a responsive shiver. Tho
pilot went on with affable gruffness, "The Soutar light's away on the
port bow now, sir;" and still the monkey made no answer. Not to be
stalled off, the pilot proceeded, "We'll be over the bar in an hour,
sir." But failing to elicit a response even to this pleasant
information, he stepped up on deck, and ranging himself alongside of the
captain on the bridge, said, "What a quiet chap your father is!"

The first time I saw my poor friend I liked him. We lived in a lonely
house that stood on the cliffs at a bleak turn of the coast. One wild
morning a coble beat into our cove. It looked as though the sea must
double on her every second; but just when the combers shot at her most
dangerously the man at the tiller placed the broad square stern at right
angles to the path of the travelling wave, and she lunged forward
safely. By dexterous jockeying she was brought close in, and the men
came through the shallow water in their sea-boots. They were blue with
cold, and begged for a little tea or coffee. Hot cakes and coffee
happened to be just ready; so the fellows had a hearty breakfast and
went away. With prolonged clumsiness the pilot shook the hand of the
lady who had entertained him; and in two days after the boat sailed into
the cove