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- 4799
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T20:48:14.838Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 4768
- text
- watch, just to step below occasionally, and shake me, and whisper in my
ear—_“Watch below, Buttons; watch below”—_which pleasantly reminded me
of the delightful fact. Then I would turn over on my side, and take
another nap; and in this manner I enjoyed several complete watches in
my bunk to the other sailor’s one. I recommend the plan to all landsmen
contemplating a voyage to sea.
But notwithstanding all these contrivances, the dreadful sequel could
not be avoided. Eight bells would at last be struck, and the men on
deck, exhilarated by the prospect of changing places with us, would
call the watch in a most provoking but mirthful and facetious style.
As thus:—
“Starboard watch, ahoy! eight bells there, below! Tumble up, my lively
hearties; steamboat alongside waiting for your trunks: bear a hand,
bear a hand with your knee-buckles, my sweet and pleasant fellows! fine
shower-bath here on deck. Hurrah, hurrah! your ice-cream is getting
cold!”
Whereupon some of the old croakers who were getting into their trowsers
would reply with—“Oh, stop your gabble, will you? don’t be in such a
hurry, now. You feel sweet, don’t you?” with other exclamations, some
of which were full of fury.
And it was not a little curious to remark, that at the expiration of
the ensuing watch, the tables would be turned; and we on deck became
the wits and jokers, and those below the grizzly bears and growlers.
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