Blow the Man Down: A Romance of the Coast is a 1916 sea novel by Holman Day. It follows Captain Boyd Mayo and life along the coast, blending maritime atmosphere with a love story. Listen for its sense of ships, sailors and the sea.
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Text source: gutenberg.org · The work is in the public domain.
Opening of the book
BLOW THE MAN DOWN A ROMANCE OF THE COAST By Holman Day Copyright, 1916, by Harper & Brothers TO MY GOOD FRIEND Captain John W. Christie BRITISH MASTER MARINER WHO HAS SUNG ALL THE SHANTIES AND HAS SAILED ALL THE SEAS “O, blow the man down, bullies, blow the man down! Way-ay, blow the man down. O, blow the man down in Liverpool town! Give me some time to blow the man down.” —Old Shanty of the Atlantic Packet Ships.
BLOW THE MAN DOWN I ~ CAPTAIN BOYD MAYO GETS OUT OF SOUNDINGS When in safety or in doubt, Always keep a safe lookout; Strive to keep a level head, Mind your lights and mind your lead. —Pilot-house Ditty. For days he had been afraid of that incredible madness of his as a man fears a nameless monster. But he was sure of his strength even while admitting his weakness. He was confident that he had the thing securely in leash. Then all at once it happened! Without preface of word or look he whirled and faced her, swept her into his arms and kissed her. He did not attempt to absolve himself or mitigate his offense by telling her that he loved her. He was voiceless—he could not control his speech. He did not dare to show such presumption as talk of love must seem to be to her. He knew he must not speak of love; such proffer to her would be lunacy. But this greater presumption, this blind capture of her in his arms—this was something which he had not intended any more than a sane man considers flight to the moon. He did not understand; he had been himself—then, instantly, in time measured by a finger-snap, he had
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