On the fourth day Bramble said, “Well, Tom, I think both you and Bessy may leave off singing now.  You have yet to learn the most important part, which is to heave the lead; but we must wait till we get on board of a vessel for that.  Observe, Tom, it’s all very well singing when you’ve plenty of water, and I like it, for it sounds musical and pleasant to the ear; but in shallow water the pilot’s answer must be much shorter and quicker, as you will find out by-and-by.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

     In which I go Afloat, and obtain some Knowledge of the English
     Channel.

It may be as well here to remark that the system of pilotage is different now from what it used to be at the period of which I am writing.  The Cinque Port pilots now carry vessels from the Downs to the river, and from the river to the Downs.  Their pilotage extends no further.  Vessels seldom require pilots for the Channel, and do not take them unless they are bound to some port in the Channel with which they are unacquainted, and those pilots who ply in the Channel are termed Hoblers; but at the time I refer to the regular pilots used to go out in their galleys to the chaps of the Channel and take charge of vessels all the way up, which, by the new regulations, they do not do.  The arrangements for pilotage have been much improved of late years, and those employed are better qualified.

I had remained at Deal about three weeks when an outward-bound Indiaman anchored in the Downs.  Her pilot came on shore, and she made the signal for another.  It was Bramble’s turn, a galley was launched, and we went on board.

The ship was bound to Plymouth, from whence she was to sail with convoy to a certain latitude.  The weather was now fine and frosty, and we made sail when the tide served.  As soon as we were fairly out in the Channel Bramble went with me into the main-chains, and showed me how to heave the lead.  After several attempts, in which I sometimes would hit the spare topsail-yard upon which I stood, sometimes would nearly break my own head, and once contrived to throw the lead over the hammock-rails inboard, I succeeded in getting it round over my head; and when I had once gained that point I made fewer mistakes.  In two days we arrived at Plymouth; and as Bramble kept me at it till my arms ached, nearly half the day, I could by that time heave the lead pretty fairly, that is to say, without danger to myself or other people.  The day after we arrived at Plymouth we got into a pilot boat and went out in search of employment, which we soon found, and we continued chiefly taking vessels up to Portsmouth and down to Plymouth, or clear of soundings, for some time.  During this time my practice at the lead was incessant, and I became very perfect.  When I was not at the lead Bramble would make me stand at the binnacle and watch the compass, so that, by the time we arrived at Deal again, I was