set in the late 18th century (!), the author seems to be referring to something that actually happened more recently. The beginning of the end of chanteying? The clank of the pawls on the ship's windlass was now heard. " Man the windlass!" was the order. "Slip, slap!" cried Seth. This is a sailor phrase for heaving the windlass around at one motion instead of two, as is generally practised, and as was done on board the ship. The ship possessed the advantage at the outset of being ahead of the Ark; but, as the crew of the latter weighed their anchor in half the time, the two vessels were now abreast. " Massa Mate," said Flour, taking that officer aside, " if you want dese niggers to show you de time o' day, jes' praise 'em, and let 'em hab de music. Black man he lub song; song make him throw hisself, tear hisself all to pieces." The English sailors now began to sing. "Stop that!" said the captain. "None of that noise here." " Now, boys," said the mate, patting Isaiah on the shoulder, " give us a shout that'll raise the dead." Without the context, the above will make little sense, but I include it to show the notions being put for -- that being that the English sailors of whatever time period is being evoked (!) were alleged to frown upon chanteying, whereas the Americans, with their Black crew to assist, were allegedly more practical, and