Bright were their hopes on that winter morn As they thought of their coming trip; Gaily they skipped along the decks Of the "_Brit_" and the "other ship." The helmsman stood beside the wheel, Where "Deeds, not words" is writ, And mentioned to his dearest chum, "We'll have a time of it!" And so we had, for, once outside And in the troubled sea, The _Wave_ by waves was tossed about In manner strange to see. Colder and louder blew the gale (Force _five_) from the south-west; But the gallant boiler boiled away, And the engines did their best. Down came the storm, and smote amain The vessel in its strength; She shuddered and paused, like a frighted steed, Then leaped her cable's length. "Come hither! Come hither! my dear cadet, And do not look so pale; For we can weather the roughest sea, And this is _not_ a gale!" He wrapped him up in his warmest coat Against the stinging blast; He raised the collar round his throat, And leaned against the mast. "Oh, steward, I hear a small bell ring! Oh, say, what may it be?" He answered in a cheery tone: "The bell, sir? That's for tea!" "Oh, steward, I hear the sound of plates! Oh, say, what may it be?" "What, don't you want your supper, sir?" "No, thank you: none for me!" "Oh, steward, I feel a rumbling pain! Oh, say, what may it be?" 'Twas the tribute claimed from all the "new" To Neptune's realm--the sea! Over the vessel's leeward side Steadfastly then looked he. We didn't ask what he wanted there, For we could plainly see. Then that sailor clasped his hands, and wished That safe on land was he; And he thought of cadets at peace on shore, Or under Dartmouth's lee. How few of those who saw us sail, And out of Dartmouth steam, Could know our joy to see the Start Broad on the starboard beam! "Oh, joy! I see a light ahead. Oh, say, what may it be?" 'Twas the welcome gleam of the breakwater light, And west-nor'-west steered we. And ever the fitful gusts between We heard the leadsman's voice: "Mark ten!" "Deep eight!" "And a quarter seven!" Which made our hearts rejoice. When anchored safe in Plymouth Sound We came round by degrees-- With tea, then bed, then ten o'clock: "Out lights, sir, if you please!" Such was the winter trip of the _Wave_ On that dull November day; But that we had a merry time How few of us could say! The writer, it will be noticed, has adhered very closely to the pattern he selected, quoting one verse in its entirety, and displaying a certain recklessness in respect of the number of feet in a line which is so characteristic of Longfellow.