Page:Devonshire Characters and Strange Events.djvu/634

Said he, "Don't sarve the young man so,
   'Tes an onmanly thing;
Pick up the lad, put him on board
   That he may sarve the King."

They took me up by neck and heels,
   They dra'ed me to the boat,
The master came 'longside of me
   Wi', "Send the lubber afloat."
They took me up by neck and heels,
   They dra'ed me to the say,
But Providence a-ordered it
   I shuldn't be killed that way.

They picked me out, put me aboard
   A ship then in the Sound,
The waves and winds did blow and roar,
   I thought I shu'd be drown'd.
Then one called " Tack!" another "Ship!"
   A third cried "Helm a lee!"
Lor' bless'y, I dun knaw Tack from Ship,
   An' Helm to me's Chinee.

The Master ordered I aloft,
   'Twas blawin' cruel hard,
And there was three or vour gurt chaps
   A grizzlin' in the yard.
When down came mast and down came yard,
   Then down came I likewise.
Lor' bless'y! if the church tower vaall'd,
   'Twouldn't make half the noise.

Some vaall'd o'erboard, and some on deck,
   Some had a thundrin' thump,
The Master ordered all hands up
   For pumpin' at the pump.
Us pumped at the pump, my boys,
   And no one dared to squeak,
The Master ordered all below
   To stop a thunderin' leak.

When us had stoppéd up that leak
   A French ship us spied comin',
The Master orders all to fight
   And the drummer to be drummin'.
So when the French ship came 'longside,
   A broadside us let flee,
Lor' bless'y! what for smoke and vire
   Us couldn't smell nor see.