Second Witch. I will give thee a wind.
First Witch. Thou art kind.
Third Witch. And I another.
First Witch. I myself have all the other,
And the very ports they blow,
All the quarters that they know;
I’ the shipman’s card.
—Macbeth.
[29] The seaman of 1600 appears to have differed very little from the seaman of 1800. Let us hope that the present race will discountenance such “lewd proceedings.”
[30] Thomas Cavendish, one of the early circumnavigators.
[31] Some such long-shore fellows are still to be met with.
[32] From the Dutch word loeven, to ply to windward.
[33] The “waytes” seem to have been either music played during the setting of the watch, or occasionally, to show that a look-out was kept. Guetter (?)
[34] The use of private signals and the appointment of a place of rendezvous, may perhaps date from this period.
[35] Weight—peso. (Spanish.)
[36] Stern-post.
[37] A trivial hole left open, or a treenail not driven by a careless workman, may cause the failure of an important expedition; or at least cause great mischief and discomfort: which neglect still occasionally happens.