The Lively Poll: A Tale of the North Sea

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Robert Michael Ballantyne. The Lively Poll: A Tale of the North Sea

Chapter One. The Fleet

Chapter Two. Accidents Afloat and Incidents Ashore

Chapter Three. The Skipper Ashore

Chapter Four. Hardships on the Sea

Chapter Five. The Tempter’s Victory

Chapter Six. The Power of Sympathy

Chapter Seven. A Rescue

Chapter Eight. Tells of more than one Surprise

Chapter Nine. Beginning of the Good Work

Chapter Ten. The First Fight and Victory

Chapter Eleven. A Consultation, a Feast, and a Plot

Chapter Twelve. The Enterprise fails—remarkably

Chapter Thirteen. The Tide begins to turn, and Death steps in

Chapter Fourteen. The Last

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Now, although it is an undoubted fact that the skippers of the North Sea trawling smacks are first-rate seamen, it is an equally certain fact that strong drink can render them unfit for duty. One of the skippers was, if we may say so, unmanned by drink at the time the fleet sheered off from the steam-carrier, as stated in the last chapter. He was named Georgie Fox—better known in the fleet as Groggy Fox.

Unfortunately for himself as well as others, Skipper Fox had paid a visit to one of the copers the day before for the purpose of laying in a stock of tobacco, which was sold by the skipper of the floating grog-shop at 1 shilling 6 pence a pound. Of course Fox had been treated to a glass of fiery spirits, and had thereafter been induced to purchase a quantity of the same. He had continued to tipple until night, when he retired in a fuddled state to rest. On rising he tippled again, and went on tippling till his fish were put on board the steamer. Then he took the helm of his vessel, and stood with legs very wide apart, an owlish gaze in his eyes, and a look of amazing solemnity on his visage.

.....

But Fred was wrong.

Not long afterwards the Lively Poll arrived in port, and Stephen Lockley hastened to announce his arrival to his wife.

.....