"
"They are buying your work, not your insurance policies, dear child," said the
Nilghai.
"I gambled with one to get at the other. Don't preach. Go on with the "Pilot."
Where in the world did you get that song?"
"On a tombstone," said the Nilghai. "On a tombstone in a distant land. I made
it an accompaniment with heaps of base chords."
"Oh, Vanity! Begin." And the Nilghai began--
"I have slipped my cable, messmates, I'm drifting down with the tide, I have my
sailing orders, while yet at anchor ride.
And never on fair June morning have I put out to sea With clearer conscience or
better hope, or a heart more light and free.
"Shoulder to shoulder, Joe, my boy, into the crowd like a wedge Strike with the
hangers, messmates, but do not cut with the edge.
Cries Charnock, "Scatter the faggots, double that Brahmin in two, The tall pale
widow for me, Joe, the little brown girl for you!"
"Young Joe (you're nearing sixty), why is your hide so dark? Katie has soft
fair blue eyes, who blackened yours?--Why, hark!"
They were all singing now, Dick with the roar of the wind of the open sea about
his ears as the deep bass voice let itself go.
"The morning gun--Ho, steady! the arquebuses to me! I ha' sounded the Dutch
High Admiral's heart as my lead doth sound the sea.
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