Once more - no use. I
begin to know I ought to feel sheepish and beat, but somehow I feel
cocky instead. I laugh and say, "Well, I am bound to break
something down" - and suddenly see. "Oho, there's the place; get
weight on there, and the belt won't slip." With much labour, on go
the belts again. "Now then, a spar thro' there and six men's
weight on; mind you're not carried away." - "Ay, ay, sir." But
evidently no one believes in the plan. "Hurrah, round she goes -
stick to your spar. All right, shut off steam." And the
difficulty is vanquished.
'This or such as this (not always quite so bad) occurs hour after
hour, while five hundred tons of coal are rattling down into the
holds and bunkers, riveters are making their infernal row all
round, and riggers bend the sails and fit the rigging:- a sort of
Pandemonium, it appeared to young Mrs. Newall, who was here on
Monday and half-choked with guano; but it suits the likes o' me.
'S. S. ELBA, River Mersey: May 17.
'We are delayed in the river by some of the ship's papers not being
ready.
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