Page:Life in India or Madras, the Neilgherries, and Calcutta.djvu/30

20 There is no greater mistake than to suppose that the sailor's life is an idle or an easy one. When on deck he is always at work, (except at night,) either on the rigging or hull of the ship. Shifting the sails is but a fraction of his duty. In a long voyage scarcely a rope or thread is left untouched. The wear and tear of sunshine and storm call for a constant overhauling and repairing. Scraping, scrubbing, painting, tightening, tarring, bracing, furling, and loosening, are continually going on, and there is always something still to be done.

With many of the young there is a passion for sea life. They have read of its stirring scenes of adventure, and dwelt on its excitements till their minds are filled with eagerness for a sailor's berth. How many a lad, captivated by the poetic idea of being a “sailor boy," has left his parents' roof to seek his fortune on the ocean! And oh how wofully are they disappointed! It sounds well; but what is a sailor boy, and what are his duties? They are as truly and really work as the duties of the plough boy. His duty is to sweep the deck when dry, and swab it when wet; to feed and water the fowls and hogs, and keep their pens clean; to carry, fetch, and run on errands be-