Page:The Naval Officer (1829), vol. 1.djvu/44

 "There now, Sally," said the wary mother, "I told you how it would be—I knew you would catch a crab!"

Sally quickly recovered herself, blushed a little, and resumed her occupation.

"That's what we calls catching a crab in our country," said the woman. I replied that I thought it was a very pretty amusement; and I asked Sally to try and catch another: but she declined; and, by this time, we had reached the side of the ship.

Having paid my naiads, I took hold of the main-rope, as I was instructed by them, and mounted the side. Reaching the gangway, I was accosted by a midshipman in a round jacket and trowsers, a shirt none of the cleanest, and a black silk handkerchief tied loosely round his neck.

"Who did you want, Sir?" said he.

"I wish to speak with Mr. Handstone, the first lieutenant," said I. He informed me that the first lieutenant was then gone down to frank