''Tis a matter of twenty-five years since I was in a fix like this 'ere, ' said the boatswain, ruminatively, turning a quid in his cheek. 'Ephraim, me lad, you can bear me out?' 'I can't rightly say as I can, Mr. Grinson, ' said Ephraim, in his husky voice, 'but I 'll try