It was impossible for you to have eaten anything with your mouth in such a nasty state.

When it's dirty again, come to me, and I'll be your dentist." One day I was on the forecastle with Mr Chucks, the boatswain, who was very kind to me.

He had been showing me how to make the various knots and bends of rope which are used in our service.

I am afraid that I was very stupid, but he showed me over and over again, until I learnt how to make them.

Amongst others, he taught me a fisherman's bend, which he pronounced to be the _king_ of all knots; "and, Mr Simple," continued he, "there is a moral in that knot.