I closed in above the shore light, and laid on my oars and floated.

As I went by I see it was a lantern hanging on the jackstaff of a double-hull ferryboat.

I skimmed around for the watchman, a-wondering whereabouts he slept; and by and by I found him roosting on the bitts forward, with his head down between his knees.

I gave his shoulder two or three little shoves, and begun to cry.
He stirred up in a kind of a startlish way; but when he see it was only me he took a good gap and stretch, and then he says: "Hello, what's up?
Don't cry, bub.

What's the trouble ?" I says: "Pap, and mam, and sis, and--" Then I broke down.