Page:The Naval Officer (1829), vol. 2.djvu/209

 dogs to watch the shells when they fell, and then to run and pull the fuses out with their teeth. Did you ever hear of such d—d villains? By this means, they saved hundreds of men, and only lost half a dozen dogs—fact, by G—; only ask Sir Sydney Smith; he'll tell you the same, and a d—d sight more."

The volubility of his tongue was only equalled by the rapidity of his invention and the powers of mastication; for, during the whole of this entertaining monodrame, his teeth were in constant motion, like the traversing beam of a steam boat; and as he was our captain as well as our guest, he certainly took the lion's share of the repast.

"But, Isay, Soundings," said he, addressing himself familiarly to the master, who had not been long in the vessel, '* let us see what sort of stuff you have stowed the fore-hold with. You know I ama water drinker; give me only the pure limpid stream, and a child may lead me. I seldom touch liquor when the water is good."