I have said that
Ratcliffe Highway was the rendezvous of seafaring men. It
provided them with a wealth of facilities for the
expeditious disposal of money that had been earned at great
hazard, and not infrequently by the sweat of anguish. One
chilly November morning a sailor was walking down the
Highway. His step was jerky and uncertain, for his feet were
bare; his sole articles of dress consisted of a cotton shirt
and a pair of trousers that seemed large enough to take
another person inside of them. These were kept from dropping
off by what is known as a soul-and-body lashing--that is, a
piece of cord or rope-yarn tied round the waist. His manner
indicated that he felt satisfied with himself and at peace
with all creation, as he chanted with a husky voice the
following song:--
"Sing goodbye to Sally, and goodbye to Sue;
Away--Rio!
And you who are listening, goodbye to you,
For we're bound to Rio Grande!
And away--Rio, aye Rio!
Sing fare ye well, my bonny young girl,
We're bound for Rio Grande!"
He was met by a shipmate just then who had been searching
for him during several days.
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