All hands having returned, and the fruits of our excursion being collected,
we had wherewithal to make an abundant supper. Most of the game
was sent on board the largest vessel, where we proposed supping. Our
vessels were all lying within hail of each other, and as soon as the moon
arose, boats were seen passing from vessel to vessel, and all were busily
and happily engaged in exchanging civilities. One could never have supposed
that these men were professional rivals, so apparent was the goodfeeling
that prevailed among them. About nine o'clock we started for
supper; a number of persons had already collected, and as soon as we
arrived on board the vessel, a German sailor, who played remarkably well
on the violin, was summoned on the quarter-deck, when all hands, with a
good will, cheerily danced to lively airs until supper was ready. The
table was laid in the cabin, and groaned under its load of venison, wild
ducks, pigeons, curlews, and fish. Toasting and singing succeeded the
supper, and among other curious matters introduced, the following song
was sung by the German fiddler, who accompanied his voice with his instrument.
He is said to be the author of the song. I say nothing of
the poetry, but merely give it as it came on my ear. It is certainly very
characteristic.
THE WRECKER'S SONG.
Come ye, goot people, von and all,
Come listen to my song :
A few remarks I have to make,
Which vont be very long.
'Tis of our vessel stout and goot.
As ever yet was built of woot,
Along the reef where the breakers roar,
De Wreckers on de Florida shore !
Key Tavernier's our rendezvous;
At anchor there we lie,
And see the vessels in the Gulf,
Carelessly passing by.
When night comes on we dance and sing,
Whilst the current some vessel is floating in ;
When day-light comes, a ship's on shore,
Among de rocks where de breakers roar.
When day-light dawns, we're under weigh,
And every sail is set,
And if the wind it should prove light,
Why then, our sails we wet.
To gain her first each eager strives,
To save de cargo and de people's lives,
Amongst de rocks where de breakers roar,
De Wreckers on de Florida shore.
When we get 'longside, we find she's bilged:
We know vel vat to do,
Save de cargo dat we can,
De sails and rigging too ;
Den down to Key West we soon vill go,
When quickly our salvage we shall know;
When every ting it is fairly sold,
Our money down to us it is told.
Den one week's cruize we'll have on shore,
Before we do sail again,
And drink success to de sailor lads
Dat are ploughing of de main.
And when you are passing by dis way,
On the Florida Reef should you chance to stray,
Why, we will come to you on de shore,
Amongst de rocks where de breakers roar.
Great emphasis was laid upon particular words by the singer, who
had a broad German accent. Between the verses he played a symphony,
remarking, " Gentlemens, I makes dat myself." The chorus was trolled
by twenty or thirty voices, which, in the stillness of the night, produced
no unpleasant effect.
•
i. 3