“Ay! this is much grander than the others,—but every man on the deck has a long spear in his hand. That is not very sailor-like, is it?”
“Why no, it is not boys; at least, not like the sailors of the present day. This ship of the reign of Henry VIII. will please you.”
“That is something like! Plenty of masts, and sails, and cannon too, in that ship; and what a height the hull runs up! Please to tell us something about a first-rate man-of-war, such as are now in the British navy?”
“Now then for a man-of-war. If you are ready for a dive, we will go under water together. We will begin at the false keel; this is made fast under the keel to preserve it from injury in case of a run upon the rocks. On the keel is the keelson to strengthen it. The timbers that start out right and left from the keel are the ribs, and the planking is fastened to them inside and out. You know the head from the stern, I dare say.
A bold British sailor his duty should learn,
And know every rope from the head to the stern;
His heart should be firm when the rude billows roll,
And as true as the needle that points to the pole.”
“Ay! that is a good description of a sailor; he should know his duty, and carry a true heart in his bosom.”