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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Jack in the Forecastle, by John Sherburne Sleeper
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+Title: Jack in the Forecastle
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+Author: John Sherburne Sleeper
+
+Release Date: August, 2005  [EBook #8638]
+[This file was first posted on July 30, 2003]
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+Edition: 10
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+Language: English
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+Character set encoding: US-ASCII
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, JACK IN THE FORECASTLE ***
+
+
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+This eBook was produced by Theresa Armao.
+
+
+
+                      JACK IN THE FORECASTLE
+                                OR
+         INCIDENTS IN THE EARLY LIFE OF HAWSER MARTINGALE
+
+              by John Sherburne Sleeper (1794-1878)
+
+Chapter I
+Farewell to New England
+
+I was born towards the close of the last century, in a village
+pleasantly situated on the banks of the Merrimack, in
+Massachusetts.  For the satisfaction of the curious, and the
+edification of the genealogist, I will state that my ancestors
+came to this country from England in the middle of the
+seventeenth century.  Why they left their native land to seek an
+asylum on this distant shore   whether prompted by a spirit of
+adventure, or with a view to avoid persecution for religion's
+sake   is now unknown.  Even if they "left their country for
+their country's good," they were undoubtedly as respectable,
+honest, and noble, as the major part of those needy ruffians who
+accompanied William the Conqueror from Normandy in his successful
+attempt to seize the British crown, and whose descendants now
+boast of their noble ancestry, and proudly claim a seat in the
+British House of Peers.
+
+From my earliest years I manifested a strong attachment to
+reading; and as matters relating to ships and sailors captivated
+my boyish fancy, and exerted a magic influence on my mind, the
+"Adventures of Robinson Crusoe," "Peter Wilkins," "Philip
+Quarle," and vagabonds of a similar character, were my favorite
+books.  An indulgence in this taste, and perhaps an innate
+dispostion to lead a wandering, adventurous life, kindled in my
+bosom a strong desire, which soon became a fixed resolution, TO
+GO TO SEA.  Indeed, this wish to go abroad, to encounter dangers
+on the mighty deep, to visit foreign countries and climes, to
+face shipwrecks and disasters, became a passion.  It was my
+favorite theme of talk by day, and the subject of my dreams by
+night.  As I increased in years my longing for a sailor's life
+also increased; and whenever my schoolfellows and myself were
+conversing about the occupations we should select as the means of
+gaining a livelihood hereafter, I invariably said, "I will be a
+sailor."
+
+Had my parents lived, it is possible that this deep-seated
+inclination might have been thwarted; that my destiny might have
+taken another shape.  But my father died while I was quite young,
+and my mother survived him but a few years.  She lived long
+enough, however, to convince me that there is nothing more pure,
+disinterested, and enduring than a mother's love, and that those
+who are deprived of this blessing meet at the outset of their
+pilgrimage a misfortune which can never be remedied.  Thus,
+before I had numbered fifteen years, I found myself thrown a waif
+on the waters of life, free to follow the bent of my inclination
+to become a sailor.
+
+Fortune favored my wishes.  Soon after the death of my parents, a
+relation of my mother was fitting out a vessel in Portsmouth,
+N.H., for a voyage to Demarara; and those who felt an interest in
+my welfare, conceiving this a good opportunity for me to commence
+my salt-water career, acceded to my wishes, and prevailed on my
+relative, against his inclination, to take me with him as a cabin
+boy.
+
+With emotions of delight I turned my back on the home of my
+childhood, and gayly started off to seek my fortune in the world,
+with no other foundation to build upon than a slender frame, an
+imperfect education, a vivid imagination, ever picturing charming
+castles in the air, and a goodly share of quiet energy and
+perseverance, modified by an excess of diffidence, which to this
+day I have never been able to overcome.
+
+I had already found in a taste for reading a valuable and never-
+failing source of information and amusement.  This attachment to
+books has attended me through life, and been a comfort and solace
+in difficulties, perplexities, and perils.  My parents, also,
+early ingrafted on my mind strict moral principles; taught me to
+distinguish between right and wrong; to cherish a love of truth,
+and even a chivalric sense of honor and honesty.  To this,
+perhaps, more than to any other circumstance, may be attributed
+whatever success and respectability has attended my career
+through life.  It has enabled me to resist temptations to evil
+with which I was often surrounded, and to grapple with and
+triumph over obstacles that might otherwise have overwhelmed me.
+
+When I reached Portsmouth, my kinsman, Captain Tilton, gave me an
+ungracious reception.  He rebuked me severely for expressing a
+determination to go to sea.
+
+"Go to sea!" he exclaimed in a tone of the most sovereign
+contempt.  "Ridiculous!  You are a noodle for thinking of such a
+thing.  A sailor's life is a dog's life at best!  Besides, you
+are not fit for a sailor, either by habits, taste, or
+constitution.  With such a pale face, and slight figure, and
+sheepish look, how can you expect to fight the battle of life on
+the ocean, and endure all the crosses, the perils, and the rough-
+and-tumble of a sailor's life?  Hawser, you are not fit for a
+sailor.  You had much better go home and try something else."
+
+Finding me unconvinced by his arguments, and unshaken in my
+determination, he concluded his remarks by asking me abruptly the
+startling question, "Are you ready to die?"
+
+I replied, that I had not bestowed much thought on the subject;
+but frankly admitted I was not altogether prepared for such a
+solemn event.
+
+"Then, Hawser," said he with marked emphasis, "if you are not
+prepared to die   to die of YELLOW FEVER   don't go to Demarara
+at this season of the year!"  And he left the room abruptly,
+apparently disgusted at my obstinacy.
+
+On the following day, Captain Tilton took me on board the brig
+Dolphin.  I did not mark her imperfections, which were many.  She
+was a vessel, bound on a voyage to a foreign port, and,
+therefore, I was charmed with her appearance.  In my eyes she was
+a model of excellence; as beautiful and graceful as the
+celebrated barge in which Cleopatra descended the Cyndnus to meet
+Mark Antony.
+
+The captain led me to the mate, who was busily engaged about the
+decks.  "Mr. Thompson," said he, "here is a lad who wants to go
+to sea, and I have foolishly engaged to take him as a cabin boy.
+Keep him on board the brig; look sharp after him; don't let him
+have an idle moment; and, if possible, make him useful in some
+way until the vessel is ready for sea."
+
+Mr. William Thompson was a worthy man, who subsequently became a
+shipmaster and merchant of great respectability in Portsmouth.
+He treated me with consideration and kindness, and took pleasure
+in teaching me the details of the business I was about to
+undertake.
+
+During the few days in which the Dolphin lay at the wharf I
+gained much nautical information.  I learned the names of the
+different parts of a vessel; of the different masts, and some
+portions of the rigging.  But the great number of ropes excited
+my admiration.  I thought a lifetime would hardly suffice to
+learn their different names and purposes.  I accomplished
+successfully the feat of going aloft; and one memorable day,
+assisted the riggers in "bending sails," and received an ill-
+natured rebuke from a crusty old tar, for my stupidity in failing
+to understand him when he told me to "pass the gasket: while
+furling the fore-topsail.  Instead of passing the gasket around
+the yard, I gravely handed him a marlinspike!
+
+In the course of my desultory reading, I had learned that vessels
+at sea were liable to "spring a leak," which was one of the most
+dreaded perils of navigation; and I had a vague notion that the
+hold of a ship was always so arranged that a leak could be
+discovered and stopped.  I was, therefore, not a little puzzled
+when I found the hold of the Dolphin was crammed with lumber; not
+a space having been left large enough to stow away the ghost of a
+belaying pin.  Finding the captain in a pleasant mood one day, I
+ventured to ask him what would be the consequence if the brig
+should spring a leak in her bottom.
+
+"Spring a leak in her bottom!" he replied, in his gruff manner;
+"why, we should go to the bottom, of course"
+
+The brig was now ready for sea.  The sailors were shipped, and I
+watched them closely as they came on board, expecting to find the
+noble-looking, generous spirited tars I had become so familiar
+with in books.  It happened, however, that three out of the five
+seamen who composed the crew were "old English men-of-war's-men,"
+and had long since lost any refinement of character or rectitude
+of principle they originally possessed.  They were brought on
+board drunk by the landlord with whom they boarded; for the "old
+tars" of those days   fifty years ago   had no homes; when on
+shore all they cared for was a roof to shelter them, and plenty
+of grog, in which they would indulge until their money was gone,
+when they would go to sea and get more.
+
+Now ensued the bustle incident to such occasions.  Captain
+William Boyd, who had volunteered to pilot the brig down the
+harbor, came on board; the sails were hoisted; the deck was
+crowded with persons to take leave of their friends, or gratify a
+morbid curiosity; and what with the numerous questions asked, the
+running to and fro, the peremptory commands of the mate, the
+unmusical singing and shouting of the crew as they executed the
+various orders, together with the bawling of the handcartmen and
+truckmen as they brought down the last of the trunks, chests,
+stores, and provisions, my brain was in a whirl of excitement; I
+hardly knew whether I stood on my head or my heels.
+
+At last the captain came down the wharf, accompanied by Joshua
+Haven, one of the owners, and some friends, who had made
+arrangements to proceed in the brig so far as the mouth of the
+harbor.  The single rope which connected the Dolphin with the
+shore was cast loose; the pilot gave some orders; that were Greek
+to me, in a loud and energetic tone; the men on the wharf gave
+three cheers, which were heartily responded to by the temporary
+passengers and crew; and with a pleasant breeze from the
+westward, we sailed merrily down the river.
+
+Some few persons lingered on the wharf, and continued for a time
+to wave their handkerchiefs in token of an affectionate farewell
+to their friends.  I seemed to stand alone while these
+interesting scenes were enacted.  I took no part in the warm
+greetings or the tender adieus.  I had bidden farewell to my
+friends and relatives in another town some days before; and no
+one took sufficient interest in my welfare to travel a few miles,
+look after my comforts, and wish me a pleasant voyage as I left
+my native land.
+
+Although from the reception I had met with I had little reason to
+expect present indulgences or future favors from my kinsman who
+commanded the brig, I did not regret the step I had taken.  On
+the contrary, my bosom bounded with joy when the last rope was
+severed, and the vessel on whose decks I proudly stood was
+actually leaving the harbor of Portsmouth, under full sail, bound
+to a foreign port.  This was no longer "the baseless fabric of a
+vision."  The dream of my early years had come to pass; and I
+looked forward with all the confidence of youth to a bold and
+manly career, checkered it might be with toil and suffering, but
+replete with stirring adventure, whose wild and romantic charms
+would be cheaply won by wading through a sea of troubles.  I now
+realized the feeling which has since been so well described by
+the poet:
+
+"A life on the ocean wave,
+A home on the rolling deep,
+Where the scattered waters rave,
+And the winds their revels keep.
+
+"Like an eagle caged, I pine
+On this dull, unchanging shore;
+O, give me the flashing brine,
+The spray, and the tempest's roar."
+
+
+Chapter II
+INCIDENTS AT SEA
+
+The Dolphin was what is termed, in nautical parlance, an
+"hermaphrodite brig," of about one hundred and fifty tons burden;
+and had been engaged, for some twelve or fifteen years, in the
+West India trade.  This vessel could not with propriety be
+regarded as a model of grace and beauty, but gloried in bluff
+bows, a flat bottom, and a high quarter-deck; carried a large
+cargo for her tonnage, and moved heavily and reluctantly through
+the water.
+
+On this particular voyage, the hold of the brig, as I have
+already stated, was filled with lumber; and thirty-five thousand
+feet of the same article were carried on deck, together with an
+indefinite quantity of staves, shooks, hoop poles, and other
+articles of commerce too numerous to mention.  On this enormous
+deck-load were constructed, on each side, a row of sheep-pens,
+sufficiently spacious to furnish with comfortable quarters some
+sixty or seventy sheep; and on the pens, ranged along in
+beautiful confusion, was an imposing display of hen-coops and
+turkey-coops, the interstices being ingeniously filled with
+bundles of hay and chunks of firewood.  The quarter-deck was
+"lumbered up" with hogsheads of water, and casks of oats and
+barley, and hen-coops without number.
+
+With such a deck-load, not an unusually large one in those days,
+the leading trucks attached to the fore-rigging were about half
+way between the main deck and the foretop.  It was a work of
+difficulty and danger to descend from the deck-load to the
+forecastle; but to reach the foretop required only a hop, skip,
+and a jump.  The locomotive qualities of this craft, misnamed the
+Dolphin, were little superior to those of a well constructed
+raft; and with a fresh breeze on the quarter, in spite of the
+skill of the best helmsman, her wake was as crooked as that of
+the "wounded snake," referred to by the poet, which "dragged its
+slow length along."
+
+It was in the early part of July, in the year 1809, that the brig
+Dolphin left Portsmouth, bound on a voyage to Dutch Guiana, which
+at that time, in consequence of the malignant fevers that
+prevailed on the coast, was not inaptly termed "the grave of
+American seamen."  The crew consisted of the captain and mate,
+five sailors, a green hand to act as cook, and a cabin boy.
+There was also a passenger on board, a young man named Chadwick,
+who had been residing in Portsmouth, and was going to Demarara,
+in the hope   which fortunately for him was not realized   of
+establishing himself in a mercantile house.
+
+The forecastle being, for obvious reasons, untenable during the
+outward passage, these ten individuals, when below deck, were
+stowed away in the cabin and steerage, amid boxes, bales, chests,
+barrels, and water casks, in a manner somewhat miscellaneous, and
+not the most commodious or comfortable.  Indeed, for several days
+after we left port, the usual and almost only access to the cabin
+was by the skylight; and those who made the cabin their home,
+were obliged to crawl on all fours over the heterogeneous mass of
+materials with which it was crowded, in order to reach their
+berths!
+
+The owners of the brig must have calculated largely on favorable
+weather during the passage; for had we experienced a gale on the
+coast, or fallen in with the tail-end of a hurricane in the
+tropics, the whole deck-load would have been swept away, and the
+lives of the ship's company placed in imminent peril.  The
+weather, however, proved remarkably mild, and the many
+inconveniences to which the crew were subjected were borne with
+exemplary patience, and sometimes even regarded as a capital
+joke.
+
+We passed the Whale's Back at the mouth of the Piscataqua, and
+the Isles of Shoals loomed up through the hazy atmosphere; and
+although the wind was light, and the sea apparently smooth, the
+brig began to have a motion   an awkward, uneasy motion   for
+which I could not account, and which, to my great annoyance,
+continued to increase as we left the land.  I staggered as I
+crossed the quarter-deck, and soon after we cleared the harbor,
+came near pitching overboard from the platform covering the
+sheep-pens.  My head was strangely confused, and a dizziness
+seized me, which I in vain struggled to shake off.  My spirits,
+so gay and buoyant as we sailed down the harbor, sunk to zero.
+
+At length I could not resist the conviction that I was assailed
+with symptoms of seasickness, a malady which I had always held in
+contempt, believing it to exist more in imagination than in fact,
+and which I was determined to resist, as unsailor-like and
+unmanly.  Other symptoms of a less equivocal description, soon
+placed the character of my illness beyond a doubt.  My woe-begone
+looks must have betrayed my feelings, for one of the men told me,
+with a quizzical leer, that old Neptune always exacted toll in
+advance from a green hand for his passage over the waters.
+
+Mr. Thompson, who seemed to pity my miserable condition, gravely
+assured me that exercise was a capital thing as a preventive or
+cure for seasickness, and advised me to try the pump.  I followed
+his advice: a few strokes brought up the bilge water, than which
+nothing at that time could have been more insufferably nauseous!
+I left the pump in disgust, and retiring to the after part of the
+quarter-deck, threw myself down on a coil of rope, unable longer
+to struggle with my fate.  There I remained unnoticed and uncared
+for for several hours, when, the wind having changed, the rope
+which formed my bed, and proved to be the "main sheet," was
+wanted, and I was unceremoniously ejected from my quarters, and
+roughly admonished to "go below and keep out of the way!"  I
+crawled into the cabin, and, stretched on some boxes, endeavored
+to get a little sleep; but the conglomeration of smells of a most
+inodorous character, which, as it seemed to my distempered fancy,
+pervaded every part of the vessel, prevented my losing a sense of
+suffering in sleep.
+
+As I lay musing on the changes which a few days had wrought in my
+condition, and, borne down by the pangs of seasickness, was
+almost ready to admit that there was prose as well as poetry in a
+sailor's life, I was startled by a terrific noise, the
+announcement, I supposed, of some appalling danger.  I heard
+distinctly three loud knocks on the deck at the entrance of the
+steerage, and then a sailor put his head down the companion-way,
+and in a voice loud, cracked, and discordant, screamed in a tone
+which I thought must have split his jaws asunder, "LA-AR-BO-A-RD
+W-A-T-CH A-H-O-O-Y."
+
+In spite of my sickness I started from my uncomfortable resting
+place, scrambled into the steerage, and by a roll of the brig was
+tumbled under the steps, and suffered additional pains and
+apprehensions before I ascertained that the unearthly sounds
+which had so alarmed me were nothing more than the usual mode of
+"calling the watch," or in other words, the man with the
+unmusical voice had gently hinted to the sleepers below that
+"turn-about was fair play," and they were wanted on deck.
+
+To add to my troubles, the wind in the morning shifted to the
+south-east, and thus became a head wind, and the old brig became
+more restless than ever, and pitched and rolled to leeward
+occasionally with a lurch, performing clumsy antics in the water
+which my imagination never pictured, and which I could neither
+admire nor applaud.
+
+For several days we were beating about Massachusetts Bay and St.
+George's Bank, making slow progress on our voyage.  During that
+time I was really seasick, and took little note of passing
+events, being stretched on the deck, a coil of rope, or a chest,
+musing on the past or indulging in gloomy reflections in regard
+to the future.  Seasickness never paints ideal objects of a
+roseate hue.  Although I was not called upon for much actual
+work, I received no sympathy for my miserable condition; for
+seasickness, like the toothache, is seldom fatal, notwithstanding
+it is as distressing a malady as is found in the catalogue of
+diseases, and one for which no preventive or cure, excepting
+time, has yet been discovered.  Time is a panacea for every ill;
+and after the lapse of ten or twelve days, as the brig was
+drawing towards the latitude of Bermuda, my sickness disappeared
+as suddenly as it commenced; and one pleasant morning I threw
+aside my shore dress, and with it my landsman's habits and
+feelings.  I donned my short jacket and trousers, and felt every
+inch a sailor!
+
+The Bermudas are a cluster of small islands and rocks lying in
+the track of vessels bound from New England to the West Indies.
+The climate is mild, and the atmosphere remarkably salubrious,
+while the trace of ocean in the vicinity has long been noted for
+severe squalls at every season of the year.  A squall at sea   no
+unusual occurrence   is often the cause of anxiety, being
+attended with danger.  Sometimes the rush of wind is so violent
+that nothing will resist its fury, and before the alarm is given
+and the canvas reduced, the masts are blown over the side or the
+vessel capsized.  Therefore, on the approach of a squall, a
+vigilant officer will be prepared for the worst, by shortening
+sail and making other arrangements for averting the threatened
+danger.
+
+I hardly knew how it happened, but one afternoon when we were a
+little to the northward of Bermuda, and should have kept a
+lookout for squalls, we were favored with a visit from one of a
+most energetic character.  Its sudden approach from under the lee
+was either unnoticed or unheeded until the captain accidentally
+came on deck.  He was instantly aware of the perilous condition
+of the brig, for the "white caps" of the waves could be
+distinctly seen, and even the roar of the wind could be heard as
+it rushed towards us over the water.  Before any orders could be
+executed   before the sails could be taken in, the yards braced
+round, or even the helm shifted, the tempest broke over us.  The
+rain fell in torrents, the wind blew with tremendous violence,
+and a scene of indescribable confusion ensued.
+
+The captain stood near the companion-way, much excited, giving
+directions with energy and rapidity.   "Hard up your helm!" said
+he; "Hard up!  Lower away the mainsail!  Let go the peak
+halliards!  Why DON'T you put the helm hard up?  Let go all the
+halliards fore and aft!  Clew down the fore-topsail!  Haul in the
+starboard braces!  There   steady with the helm!"
+
+The mate and sailors were running about the decks, looking
+frightened and bewildered, eagerly casting loose some ropes, and
+pulling desperately upon others; the sails were fluttering and
+shaking, as if anxious to quit the spars and fly away to unknown
+regions; the brig felt the force of the wind, and for a few
+moments was pressed over on her side until her beam ends were in
+the water; and what with the shouting of the captain, the
+answering shouts of the mate, the unearthly cries of the sailors,
+as they strove to execute the orders so energetically given; the
+struggling of the canvas, the roaring of the winds and the waves,
+the creaking of the cordage, the beating of the rain against the
+decks, and the careening of the vessel, it is not remarkable that
+I felt somewhat alarmed and excited, as well as deeply interested
+in witnessing for the first time in my life A SQUALL AT SEA.
+
+The squall was of short duration; although the rain continued for
+a time, the wind, after a few minutes, gave but little
+inconvenience.  In the course of an hour the murky clouds had
+disappeared, the sun shone out brightly as it was sinking towards
+the horizon, and the brig was again pursuing her way towards her
+destined port, urged slowly along by a light but favorable
+breeze.
+
+Having got my sea legs on, I could proudly strut about among the
+lumber and sheep-pens without fear of rolling overboard.  I found
+the sailors a rough but good-natured set of fellows, with but
+little refinement in ideas or language.  Although they amused
+themselves with my awkwardness, and annoyed me with practical
+jokes, they took a pride and pleasure in inducting me into the
+mysteries of their craft.  They taught me the difference between
+a granny knot and a square knot; how to whip a rope's end; form
+splices; braid sinnett; make a running bowline, and do a variety
+of things peculiar to the web-footed gentry.  Some of them also
+tried hard, by precept and example, but in vain, to induce me to
+chew tobacco and drink grog!  Indeed, they regarded the ability
+to swallow a stiff glass of New England rum, without making a wry
+face, as one of the most important qualifications of a sailor!
+
+The "old men-of-war's-men" had passed through strange and
+eventful scenes; they were the type of a class of men which have
+long since passed away; they could spin many a long and
+interesting yarn, to which I listened with untiring eagerness.
+But no trait in their character astonished me more than their
+uncontrollable passion for intoxicating drinks.  As cabin boy, it
+was my duty to serve out to the crew a half pint of rum a day.
+These old Tritons eagerly looked forward to the hour when this
+interesting ceremony came off; their eyes sparkled as they
+received their allotted portion of this enemy to the human race;
+and they practised every art to procure, by fair means or foul,
+an increased allowance.  If by accident or shrewd management one
+of them succeeded in obtaining half a glass more than he was
+fairly entitled to, his triumph was complete.   But if he
+imagined he had not received the full quantity which was his due,
+ill humor and sulky looks for the next twenty-four hours bore
+testimony to his anger and disappointment.  These men ignored the
+good old proverb that "bread is the staff of life," and at any
+time, or at all times, would prefer grog to bread.
+
+In those days it was believed that ardent spirit would strengthen
+the constitution, and enable a man to endure hardship and perform
+labor to a greater extent that would be the case if he drank
+nothing stronger than water.  Rum was, therefore, included among
+the ship's stores as an important means of keeping the ship's
+company in good humor, reviving their spirits and energies when
+overcome with fatigue or exposure, and strengthening them for a
+hard day's work.
+
+Those days have passed away.  It is now known that those
+doctrines were false; that spiritous liquors, as a drink, never
+benefit mankind, but have proved one of the greatest scourges
+with which the human race has been afflicted.  It is no longer
+believed that grog will insure the faithful performance of a
+seaman's duty, and it is excluded from our ships, so far as the
+forecastle is concerned; and if it were never allowed to visit
+the cabin, the crews, in some cases, would lead happier lives,
+there would be fewer instances of assault and battery, revolts
+and shipwrecks, and the owners and underwriters would find the
+balance at the end of the voyage more decidedly in their favor.
+
+Among the customs on shipboard which attracted my particular
+attention, was the manner in which the sailors partook of their
+meals.  There was no tedious ceremony or fastidious refinement
+witnessed on these occasions.  At twelve o'clock the orders were
+promptly given, "Call the watch!  Hold the reel!  Pump ship!  Get
+your dinners!"  With never-failing alacrity the watch was called,
+the log thrown, and the ship pumped.  When these duties were
+performed, a bustle was seen about the camboose, or large cooking
+stove, in which the meals were prepared.  In pleasant weather it
+was usual for the sailors to take their meals on deck; but no
+table was arranged, no table-cloth was spread, no knives and
+forks or spoons were provided, no plates of any description were
+furnished, or glass tumblers or earthen mugs.  The preliminary
+arrangements were of the simplest description.
+
+The signal being given, the cook hastily transferred from his
+boilers whatever food he had prepared, into a wooden vessel,
+called a kid, resembling in size and appearance a peck measure.
+The kid with its contents was deposited on the spot selected; a
+bag or box, containing ship's biscuits was then produced,
+dinner was ready, and all hands, nothing loth, gathered around
+the kid and commenced operations.
+
+The usual fare was salt beef and bread, varied at stated times or
+according to circumstances; and this has probably for centuries
+been the standing dish for the forecastle in English and American
+ships.  On this passage, the Sunday dinner varied from the usual
+routine by the addition of fresh meat.  Every Sabbath morning a
+sheep, the finest and fattest of the flock, was missing from the
+pens.  Portions of the animal, however, would appear a few hours
+afterwards in the shape of a luscious sea-pie for the sailors,
+and in various inviting shapes during the following week to the
+inmates of the cabin.  This loss of property was recorded by Mr.
+Thompson in the ship's log-book, with his accustomed accuracy,
+and with Spartan brevity.  The language he invariably used was,
+"A sheep died this day."
+
+Among the crew of the Dolphin were two weather-beaten tars, who
+were as careless of their costumes as of their characters.  They
+recked little how ridiculously they looked, excepting in one
+respect.  They could each boast of a magnificent head of hair,
+which they allowed to grow to a great length on the back of the
+head, where it was collected and fashioned into enormous queues,
+which, when permitted to hang down, reached to the small of their
+backs, and gave them the appearance of Chinese mandarins, or
+Turkish pachas of a single tail.  These tails were their pets
+the only ornaments about their persons for which they manifested
+any interest.  This pride in their queues was the weak point in
+their characters.  Every Sunday they performed on each other the
+operation of manipulating the pendulous ornaments, straightening
+them out like magnified marlinspikes, and binding them with
+ribbons or rope-yarns, tastily fastened at the extremity by a
+double bow knot.
+
+Queues, in those days, were worn on the land as well as on the
+sea, and were as highly prized by the owners.  On the land, they
+were harmless enough, perhaps, and seldom ungratefully interfered
+with the comfort of their benefactors or lured them into scrapes.
+On shipboard the case was different, and they sometimes proved
+not only superfluous but troublesome.
+
+On our homeward passage a case occurred which illustrated the
+absurdity of wearing a queue at sea   a fashion which has been
+obsolete for many years.  A gale of wind occurred on the coast,
+and the crew were ordered aloft to reef the fore-topsail.  Jim
+Bilton, with his queue snugly clubbed and tucked away beneath his
+pea-jacket, was first on the yard, and passed the weather ear-
+ring; but, unfortunately, the standing rigging had recently been
+tarred, and his queue, escaping from bondage, was blown about,
+the sport of the wind, and after flapping against the yard, took
+a "round turn" over the lift, and stuck fast.  Jim was in an
+awkward position.  He could not immediately disengage his queue,
+and he could not willingly or conveniently leave it aloft.  All
+hands but himself were promptly on deck, and ready to sway up the
+yard.  The mate shouted to him in the full strength of his lungs
+to "Bear a hand and lay in off the yard," and unjustly berated
+him as a "lubber," while the poor fellow was tugging away, and
+working with might and main, to disengage his tail from the lift,
+in which he at length succeeded, but not without the aid of his
+jackknife.
+
+I was greatly troubled during this passage by the impure
+character of the water.  I had been taught to place a high value
+on water as a beverage; but when we had been three weeks at sea,
+and had entered the warm latitudes, on knocking a bung from one
+of the water casks on the quarter-deck, there issued an odor of
+"an ancient and fish-like" nature, which gave offence to my
+olfactories.  On tasting the water, I found to my disgust that it
+was impregnated with a flavor of a like character, and after it
+was swallowed this flavor would cling to the palate with
+provoking tenacity for several minutes.  The sailors smacked
+their lips over it once or twice, and pronounced it "from fair to
+middling."   When boiled, and drank under the name of tea or
+coffee, it might have deserved that character; but when taken
+directly from the cask, and quaffed in hot weather, as a pleasant
+and refreshing beverage it was a signal failure.
+
+To the inmates of the cabin, myself excepted, the peculiar flavor
+of the water served as an excuse, if any were required, for
+drawing liberally on the brandy kegs and liquor cases.  A little
+"dash of spirit" removed the unpleasant taste by adding another,
+which, to my unsophisticated palate, was equally offensive.  The
+water in every cask proved of a similar character; and I could
+hardly imagine how use, or even necessity, could reconcile a
+person to such water as that.  The problem was solved, but not
+entirely to my satisfaction, on my next voyage.
+
+The duties of cabin boy were of a nature different from my
+occupations in previous years.  They engrossed a considerable
+portion of my time; and though they were not the kind of duties I
+most loved to perform, I endeavored to accommodate my feelings to
+my situation, comforting myself with the belief that the voyage
+would not be of long duration, and that I was now taking the
+first step in the rugged path which led to fame and fortune.
+
+I devoted the hours which I could spare from my appropriate
+duties to the acquisition of a knowledge of seamanship, and
+developing its mysteries.  I was fond of going aloft when the
+vessel was rolling or pitching in a strong breeze.  I loved to
+mount upon the top-gallant yard, and from that proud eminence,
+while rocking to and fro, look down upon the sails and spars of
+the brig, take a bird's eye view of the deck, and scan the
+various operations; look at the foam beneath the bows, or at the
+smooth, eddying, serpentine track left far behind.  I also loved
+to gaze from this elevated position upon the broad ocean, bounded
+on every side by the clear and distant horizon   a grand and
+sublime sight.  And then I indulged in daydreams of the most
+pleasing description, and built gay and fantastic castles in the
+air, which my reason told me the next moment would never be
+realized.
+
+
+Chapter III
+MANNING THE WOODEN WALLS OF OLD ENGLAND
+
+One morning, soon after daybreak, as I was lying asleep in my
+berth, I was awakened by a trampling on deck and loud shouts.
+Aware that something unusual had occurred, I lost no time in
+hastening to the scene of action.   Ere I reached the deck, I
+heard the word "porpoises" uttered in a loud key by one of the
+sailors, which explained the cause of the excitement.
+
+The mate, with sparkling eye and rigid features, in which
+determination was strongly stamped, as if resolved "to do or
+die," was busily engaged in fitting a line to the harpoon, which
+had been sharpened and prepared for use some days before.  I cast
+my eye to windward, and saw the ocean alive with fish.  Hundreds
+of porpoises were swimming around the brig, crossing the bows, or
+following in the wake, or leaping out of water and snuffing the
+air, and racing with each other as if for a wager; passing so
+rapidly through the liquid element that it wearied the eye to
+follow them.
+
+The mate was soon ready with the harpoon, and took his station on
+the bowsprit, within six feet of the water.  The line, one end of
+which was fastened to the harpoon, was rove through a block
+attached to the main-topmast stay; and the cook, one of the
+sailors, and myself firmly grasped the rope, and stood ready,
+whenever the word might be given, to bowse the unsuspecting and
+deluded victim out of his native element and introduce him to the
+ship's company.
+
+Mr. Thompson stood on the bowsprit, poising the death-dealing
+instrument, and with a keen eye watched the gambols of the fish.
+He looked as formidable and fierce as a Paladin intent on some
+daring and desperate enterprise.  As I eyed him with admiration
+and envy I wondered if the time would ever arrive when, clad with
+authority, I should exercise the privilege of wielding the
+harpoon and striking a porpoise!  Several of these interesting
+fish, not aware of the inhospitable reception awaiting them, and
+seemingly prompted by curiosity, rapidly approached the brig.
+"Stand by, my lads!" exclaimed the mate, his face lighted by a
+gleam of anticipated triumph.  One huge fellow passed directly
+beneath the bowsprit, and Mr. Thompson let drive the harpoon with
+all the strength and energy he possessed.  We hauled upon the
+line with vigor   alas!  It required but little exertion to haul
+it in; the mate had missed his mark.
+
+In a few minutes another of these portly inhabitants of the deep
+came rolling along with a rowdy, swaggering gait, close to the
+surface of the water.  The mate, cool and collected, took a
+careful aim, and again threw the iron, which entered his victim,
+and then shouted with the voice of a Stentor, "Haul in!  Haul
+in!" And we did haul in; but the fish was strong and muscular,
+and struggled hard for liberty and life.  In spite of our prompt
+and vigorous exertions, he was dragged under the brig's bottom;
+and if he had not been struck in a workmanlike manner, the
+harpoon would have drawn out, and the porpoise would have
+escaped, to be torn to pieces by his unsympathizing companions.
+As it was, after a severe struggle on both sides, we roused him
+out of the water, when the mate called for the jib down-haul,
+with which he made a running bowline, which was clapped over his
+tail and drawn tight; and in this inglorious manner he was hauled
+in on the deck.
+
+The porpoise is a fish five or six feet in length, weighing from
+one hundred and fifty to three hundred pounds.  The name is
+derived from the Italian word PORCO-PERCE, or hog-fish; and
+indeed this animal resembles a hog in many respects.  It has a
+long head, terminated by a projection of its jaws, which are well
+filled with sharp teeth, white as polished ivory.  The body is
+covered with a coat of fat, or blubber, from one to three inches
+in thickness, which yields abundance of excellent oil; and the
+flesh beneath is not very unlike that of a hog, but more oily,
+coarser, and of a darker color.  The flesh, excepting the
+harslet, is not much prized, though some sailors are fond of it,
+and rejoice at the capture of a porpoise, which gives them an
+agreeable change of diet.
+
+A few days after this event, being to the southward of Bermuda, I
+climbed to the fore-top-gallant yard, and casting my eyes around,
+saw on the verge of the horizon a white speck, which made a
+singular appearance, contrasting, as it did, with the dark hue of
+the ocean and the clear azure of a cloudless sky, I called to a
+sailor who was at work in the cross-trees, and pointed it out to
+him.  As soon as he saw it he exclaimed, "Sail, ho!"
+
+The captain was on the quarter-deck, and responded to the
+announcement by the inquiry of "Where away?"
+
+"About three points on the larboard bow," was the rejoinder.
+
+We had not spoken a vessel since we left Portsmouth.  Indeed, we
+had seen none, excepting a few fishing smacks on St. George's
+Bank.  The sight of a vessel on the broad ocean ordinarily
+produces considerable excitement; and this excitement is of a
+pleasing character when there is no reason to believe the
+stranger an enemy.  It varies the incidents of a tedious passage,
+and shows that you are not alone on the face of the waters; that
+others are traversing the ocean and tempting its dangers, urged
+by a love of adventure or thirst of gain.
+
+The captain looked at the strange vessel through his spy-glass,
+and said it was standing towards us.  We approached each other
+rapidly, for the stranger carried a cloud of sail, and was
+evidently a fast sailer.  By the peculiar color and cut of the
+canvas, the captain was led to believe we were about to be
+overhauled by a British man-of-war.  This announcement gave me
+pleasure.  I longed for an opportunity to behold one of that
+class of vessels, of which I had heard so much.  But all the crew
+did not participate in my feelings.  Two of the sailors, whom I
+had good reason to believe were not "native Americans," although
+provided with American protections, looked unusually grave when
+the captain expressed his opinion, manifested no little anxiety,
+and muttered bitter curses against the English men-of-war!
+
+I then learned that the British navy   "the wooden walls of Old
+England"   whose vaunted prowess was in every mouth, was manned
+almost exclusively by men who did not voluntarily enter the
+service, prompted by a feeling of patriotism, a sense of honor,
+or the expectation of emolument, but were victims to the unjust
+and arbitrary system of impressment.
+
+It is singular that in the early part of the present century,
+when Clarkson, Wilberforce, and other philanthropists, with a
+zeal and perseverance which reflects immortal honor on their
+names, labored unceasingly and successfully to abolish an
+important branch of the African slave trade, no voice was raised
+in the British parliament to abolish the impressment of seamen
+a system of slavery as odious, unjust and degrading, as was ever
+established by a despotic government!
+
+At that time Great Britain was engaged in sanguinary wars, and
+her flag was borne by her ships on every sea.  It was difficult
+to man her navy, the pay being small, and the penalties for
+misconduct or venial errors terribly severe.  Therefore, when on
+the ocean, British ships of war in want of men were in the habit
+of impressing sailors from merchant vessels, and often without
+regard to national character.  American ships were fired at,
+brought to, and strictly searched by these tyrants of the ocean;
+and when foreigners were found on board, whether British, Swedes,
+Dutch, Russians, Norwegians, or Spaniards, they were liable to be
+claimed as fit persons to serve "His Majesty."  In spite of
+remonstrances and menaces, they were conveyed on board the
+British men-of-war, doomed to submit to insult and injustice, and
+to risk their lives while fighting in quarrels in which they felt
+no interest.
+
+British seamen were seized wherever met, whether pursuing their
+lawful business on the high seas, or while on shore walking
+quietly through the streets of a city or town; even in the bosom
+of their families, or when quietly reposing on their pillows!
+Press-gangs, composed of desperate men, headed by resolute and
+unscrupulous officers, were constantly on the lookout for men,
+and took them, sometimes after hard fighting, and dragged them
+away to undergo the horrors of slavery on board a man-of-war!
+
+It is not remarkable that a sailor in those days should have
+dreaded a "man-of-war" as the most fearful of evils, and would
+resort to desperate means to avoid impressment or escape from
+bondage.  Those few fortunate men, who, by resolution or cunning,
+had succeeded in escaping from their sea-girt prisons, detailed
+the treatment they had received with minute and hideous accuracy
+to others; and that they could not have exaggerated the
+statements is proved by the risks they voluntarily encountered to
+gain their freedom.  The bullets of the marines on duty, the fear
+of the voracious shark in waters where they abounded, the dangers
+of a pestilential climate, or the certainty, if retaken, of being
+subjected to a more revolting and excruciating punishment than
+was every devised by the Spanish Inquisition   FLOGGING THROUGH
+THE FLEET   could not deter British seamen from attempting to
+flee from their detested prison-house.
+
+American seamen were sometimes forcibly taken from American
+ships, and their protestations against the outrage, and their
+repeated declarations, "I am an American citizen!" served only as
+amusement to the kidnappers.  Letters which they subsequently
+wrote to their friends, soliciting their aid, or the intercession
+of the government, seldom reached their destination.  It was
+rarely that the poor fellows were heard of after they were
+pressed on board a man-of-war.  They died of disease in
+pestilential climates, or fell in battle while warring in behalf
+of a government they hated, and principles with which they had no
+sympathy.
+
+This gross violation of the laws of nations and the principles of
+justice furnished one of the strongest motives for the war which
+was declared in 1812.
+
+Nor were these insults on the part of British cruisers confined
+to American merchant ships.  Our government vessels were, in more
+than one instance, boarded with a view to examine the crews and
+take the men, if any, who happened to be born under the British
+flag.  A successful attempt was made in the case of the
+Chesapeake, which frigate, under the command of Commodore Barron,
+made a feeble show of resistance, and was fired into in a time of
+peace, several of her crew killed and wounded, and compelled to
+strike her colors!  The Chesapeake was then boarded, and the
+Englishmen found on board were seized upon and transferred to the
+British ship!
+
+ An attempt of a similar kind was made some years before, but
+with a different result.  When the heroic Tingey commanded the
+Ganges, in 1799, being off Cape Nicola Mole, he was boarded by a
+boat from the English frigate Surprise, and a demand was very
+coolly made that all the Englishmen on board the Ganges should be
+given up, as they were wanted for the service of His Majesty,
+George III!
+
+Captain Tingey returned the following noble reply: "Give my
+respects to your commander; the respects of Captain Tingey, of
+the American navy; and tell him from me, that A PUBLIC SHIP
+CARRIES NO PROTECTION FOR HER MEN BUT HER FLAG!  I may not
+succeed in a contest with you, but I will die at my quarters
+before a man shall be taken from my ship!"
+
+The crew gave three cheers, hastened with alacrity to their guns,
+and called for "Yankee Doodle."  The captain of the Surprise,
+although one of the bravest officers in the British service, on
+hearing the determination of the Yankee, chose rather to continue
+on his cruise than do battle for dead men.
+
+In less than an hour after the strange sail was seen from the
+decks of the Dolphin the surmises of the captain were proved to
+be correct.  The stranger was undoubtedly an English brig-of-war
+of the largest class.  We could see the port-holes, through which
+the cannon protruded, and distinguish the gleam of muskets and
+cutlasses, and other instruments of destruction.  The sails were
+so large and so neatly fitted, and the hull was so symmetrical in
+its model, and the brig glided along so gracefully over the
+waves, that I was charmed with her appearance, and could hardly
+express my satisfaction.
+
+We continued on our course, with the American ensign flying, our
+captain hoping that this emissary of John Bull, seeing the
+character of our vessel, which no one could mistake, would suffer
+us to pass on our way unmolested, when a volume of flame and
+smoke issued from the bow of the sloop-of-war, and a messenger,
+in the shape of a cannon ball, came whistling over the waves,
+and, after crossing our bows in a diagonal direction, and
+striking the surface of the water several times, buried itself in
+a huge billow at no great distance.  This was language that
+required no interpreter.  It was a mandate that must be obeyed.
+The helm was ordered "hard-a-lee," the foresail hauled up, and
+the topsail laid to the mast.
+
+The armed brig hoisted British colors, and her boat was soon
+alongside the Dolphin.  An officer sprang on board, followed by
+several sailors.  With an off-hand, swaggering air, the officer
+addressed Captain Tilton, demanding where we were from, whither
+we were bound, and the character of our cargo.  He then expressed
+an intention to examine the ship's papers, and went with the
+captain into the cabin for that purpose.  When they returned on
+deck, Captain Tilton ordered the mate to summon aft the crew.
+This was not a work of difficulty, for they were standing in the
+waist, deeply interested spectators of the proceedings.  At least
+three of them were trembling with fear, and speculating on the
+chances of being again impressed on board an English man-of-war.
+
+"Where are these men's protections?" demanded the lieutenant.
+
+By "protection," was meant a printed certificate, under the
+signature and seal of the collector of one of the revenue
+districts in the United States, stating that the person, whose
+age, height, and complexion were particularly described, had
+adduced satisfactory proof of being an American citizen.  An
+American seaman found without this document, whether in a foreign
+port or on the high seas, was looked upon as an Englishman,
+notwithstanding the most conclusive proof to the contrary, and
+regardless of his rights or the engagements by which he might be
+bound, was dragged on board a man-of-war as a lawful prize.
+
+"Here are the protections," said Captain Tilton, handing the
+papers to the Englishman.
+
+The men were, one by one, examined, to see if the descriptions
+corresponded with their persons.  They were found to correspond
+exactly.
+
+The officer was not to be easily balked of his prey.  Turning
+suddenly to one of them, a weather-beaten, case-hardened old tar,
+who wore a queue, and whose name was borne on the shipping paper
+as Harry Johnson, he sternly asked, "How long is it since you
+left His Majesty's service?"
+
+The poor fellow turned pale as death.  He lifted his hand to his
+hat, in a most anti-republican style, and stammered out something
+indistinctly.
+
+"'Tis of no use, Johnson," exclaimed the officer.  "I see how it
+is; and we must be better acquainted.  Your protection was
+obtained by perjury.  Get ready to go in the boat."
+
+In vain Captain Tilton represented that Johnson was sailing under
+the American flag; that he had the usual certificate of being an
+American citizen; that his vessel was already short manned,
+considering the peculiar character of the cargo, and if his crew
+should be reduced, he might find himself unable to manage the
+brig in heavy weather, which there was reason to expect at that
+season in the latitude of the West Indies.
+
+To these representations the lieutenant replied in a brief and
+dry manner.  He said the man was an Englishman, and was wanted.
+He repeated his orders to Johnson, in a more peremptory tone, to
+"go in the boat."
+
+To the threats of the captain that he would lay the matter before
+Congress, and make it a national affair, the officer seemed
+altogether indifferent.  He merely bade his trembling victim
+"bear a hand," as he wished to return to the brig without delay.
+
+When Johnson saw there was no alternative, that his fate was
+fixed, he prepared to meet it like a man.  He looked at the
+American ensign, which was waving over his head, and said it was
+a pity the American flag could not protect those who sailed under
+it from insult and outrage.  He shook each of us by the hand,
+gave us his best wishes, and followed his baggage into the boat,
+which immediately shoved off.
+
+The officer told Captain Tilton that when the British ensign was
+hauled down, he might fill away, and proceed on his voyage.  In
+about fifteen minutes the ensign was hauled down.  Orders were
+given to fill away the foretopsail.  The helm was put up, and we
+resumed our course for Demarara.
+
+Steering to the southward, we reached that narrow belt of the
+Atlantic, called "the doldrums," which lies between the variable
+and the trade winds.  This tract is from two to three degrees in
+width, and is usually fallen in with soon after crossing the
+thirtieth degree of latitude.  Here the wind is apt to be light
+and baffling at all seasons; and sometimes calms prevail for
+several days.  This tract of ocean was once known as the "horse
+latitudes," because many years ago vessels from Connecticut were
+in the habit of taking deck-loads of horses to the West India
+islands, and it not unfrequently happened that these vessels,
+being for the most part dull sailers, were so long detained in
+those latitudes that their hay, provender, and water were
+expended, and the animals died of hunger and thirst.
+
+The Dolphin was a week in crossing three degrees of latitude.
+Indeed it was a calm during a considerable portion of that time.
+This drew largely on the patience of the captain, mate, and all
+hands.  There are few things so annoying to a sailor at sea as a
+calm.  A gale of wind, even a hurricane, with its life, its
+energy, its fury, though it may bring the conviction of danger,
+is preferred by an old sailor to the dull, listless monotony of a
+calm.
+
+These slow movements in the "horse latitudes" were not
+distasteful to me.  A calm furnished abundant food for curiosity.
+The immense fields of gulf-weed, with their parasitical
+inhabitants, that we now began to fall in with; the stately
+species of nautilus, known as he Portuguese man-of-war, floating
+so gracefully, with its transparent body and delicate tints; and
+the varieties of fish occasionally seen, including the flying-
+fish, dolphin, boneta, and shark, all furnish to an inquiring
+mind subjects of deep and abiding interest.  My wonder was also
+excited by the singularly glassy smoothness of the surface of the
+water in a dead calm, while at the same time the long, rolling
+waves, or "seas," kept the brig in perpetual motion, and swept
+past as if despatched by some mysterious power on a mission to
+the ends of the earth.
+
+Several kinds of fish that are met with on the ocean are really
+palatable, and find a hearty welcome in the cabin and the
+forecastle.  To capture these denizens of the deep, a line, to
+which is attached a large hook baited with a small fish, or a
+piece of the rind of pork, shaped to resemble a fish, is
+sometimes kept towing astern in pleasant weather.  This was the
+custom on board the Dolphin; and one afternoon, when the brig,
+fanned by gentle zephyrs, hardly had "steerage way," my attention
+was aroused by an exulting shout from the man at the helm,
+followed by a solemn asserveration, that "a fish was hooked at
+last."
+
+All was bustle and excitement.  Discipline was suddenly relaxed,
+and the captain, mate, and crew mounted the taffrail forthwith to
+satisfy their curiosity in regard to the character of the
+prowling intruder, which was distinctly seen struggling in the
+wake.  It proved to be a shark.  But the fellow disdained to be
+captured by such ignoble instruments as a cod line and a halibut
+hook.  He remained comparatively passive for a time, and allowed
+himself to be hauled, by the united efforts of the crew, some
+three or four fathoms towards the brig, when, annoyed by the
+restraint imposed upon him, or disliking the wild and motley
+appearance of the ship's company, he took a broad sheer to
+starboard, the hook snapped like a pipestem, and the hated
+monster swam off in another direction, wagging his tail in the
+happy consciousness that he was "free, untrammelled, and
+disinthralled."
+
+"Never mind," said Mr. Thompson, making an effort to console
+himself for the disappointment, "we'll have the rascal yet."
+
+The shark manifested no disposition to leave our neighborhood, or
+in any other way showed displeasure at the trick we had played
+him.  On the contrary, he drew nearer the vessel, and moved
+indolently and defiantly about, with his dorsal fin and a portion
+of his tail above the water.  He was undoubtedly hungry as well
+as proud, and it is well known that sharks are not particular
+with regard to the quality of their food.  Every thing that is
+edible, and much which is indigestible, is greedily seized and
+devoured by these voracious fish.
+
+We had no shark hook on board; nevertheless, the mate lost no
+time in making arrangements to capture this enemy of sailors.  He
+fastened a piece of beef to the end of a rope and threw it
+overboard, letting it drag astern.  This attracted the attention
+of the shark, who gradually approached the tempting morsel,
+regarding it with a wistful eye, but with a lurking suspicion
+that all was not right.
+
+It was now seen that the shark was not alone, but was attended by
+several fish of small size, beautifully mottled, and measuring
+from four to eight or ten inches in length.  They swam boldly
+around the shark, above and beneath him, and sometimes passed
+directly in front of his jaws, while the shark manifested no
+desire to seize his companions and satisfy his hunger.  These
+were "pilot fish," and in the neighborhood of the tropics a shark
+is seldom seen without one or more attendants of this
+description.
+
+Two of these pilot fish swam towards the beef, examined it
+carefully with their eyes, and rubbed it with their noses, and
+then returned to their lord and master.  It required but a slight
+stretch of the imagination to suppose that these well-meaning
+servants made a favorable report, and whispered in his ear that
+"all was right," and thus unwittingly betrayed him to his ruin.
+
+Be that as it will, the shark now swam boldly towards the beef,
+as if eager to devour it; but Mr. Thompson hauled upon the rope
+until the precious viand was almost directly beneath the
+taffrail.  In the mean time the mate had caused a running
+bowline, or noose, to be prepared from a small but strong rope.
+This was lowered over the stern into the water, and by a little
+dexterous management, the shark was coaxed to enter it in his
+eagerness to get at the beef.  The mate let fall the running part
+of the bowline and hauled upon the other, and to the utter
+bewilderment of the hungry monster, he found himself entrapped
+in the power of his mortal enemies   being firmly and
+ingloriously fastened by the tail.  When he discovered the
+inhospitable deception of which he was the victim he appeared
+angry, and made furious efforts to escape; but the rope was
+strong, and his struggles served only to draw the noose tighter.
+
+The shark was hauled on board, and made a terrible flouncing on
+the quarter-deck before he could be despatched.  It was
+interesting to witness the eagerness with which he was assailed
+by the sailors.  This animal is regarded as their most inveterate
+foe, and they seize with avidity any chance to diminish the
+numbers of these monsters of the deep.  It was some time before
+he would succumb to the murderous attacks of his enemies.  He
+wreaked his vengeance on the ropes around him, and severed them
+with his sharp teeth as completely and smoothly as if they had
+been cut with a knife.  But when his head was nearly cut off, and
+his skull beat in by the cook's axe and handspikes, the shark,
+finding further resistance impossible as well as useless,
+resigned himself to his fate.
+
+Sharks not unfrequently follow a vessel in moderate weather for
+several days, and in tropical latitudes sometimes lurk under a
+ship's bottom, watching a chance to gratify their appetites.  For
+this reason it is dangerous for a person to bathe in the sea
+during a calm, as they are by no means choice in regard to their
+food, but will as readily make a meal from the leg of a sailor as
+from the wing of a chicken.
+
+Mr. Thompson related a case which occurred on board a vessel
+belonging to Portsmouth, the year before, and to which he was a
+witness.  One Sunday morning, in the warm latitudes, while the
+sea was calm, a young man, on his first voyage, quietly undressed
+himself, and without a word to any one, thoughtlessly mounted the
+cathead and plunged into the water.  He swam off some distance
+from the ship, and laughing and shouting, seemed greatly to
+admire the refreshing exercise.  The captain, on being informed
+of his imprudent conduct, called to him, rebuked him severely,
+and ordered him to return immediately to the ship.  The young
+sailor turned about, wondering what impropriety there could be in
+taking a pleasant bath during such sultry weather.  He swam
+beneath the fore-chain-wales, and took hold of a rope to aid him
+in getting on board.  A couple of his shipmates also seized him
+by the wrists to assist him in climbing up the side.  For a
+moment he remained motionless, with half his body in the water,
+when a huge shark, that had been lying in wait under the ship's
+bottom, seized him by the leg.  The unfortunate young man uttered
+the most piteous screams, and every one was instinctively aware
+of the cause of his terrible agony.  The captain ordered the men
+who held the arms of the sufferer to "hold on," and jumped in the
+chain-wale himself to assist them.  By main strength the poor
+fellow was dragged fainting on board; but his foot was torn off,
+together with a portion of the integuments of the leg, and the
+bones were dreadfully crushed.  He lived in agony a few days,
+when he expired.  Incidents of this nature will satisfactorily
+account for the hatred which a sailor bears towards a shark.
+
+
+Chapter IV
+LAND, HO!
+
+     On the day succeeding the capture of the shark a fine breeze
+sprung up.  Once more the white foam appeared beneath the bows,
+as the old brig plunged, and rolled, and wriggled along on her
+way towards Demarara.  With a strong breeze on the quarter, it
+required not only labor, but skill, to steer the interesting
+craft.  One of the "old salts," having been rebuked by the
+captain for steering wildly, declared, in a grave but respectful
+tone, that he could steer as good a trick at the helm as any man
+who ever handled a marlinspike; but he "verily believed the old
+critter knew as much as a Christian, and was obstinately
+determined to turn round and take a look at her starn!"
+
+The regular "trade wind" now commenced, and there was a prospect,
+although still a distant one, of ultimately reaching the port to
+which we were bound.  The trade winds blow almost constantly from
+one direction, and prevail in most parts of the Atlantic and
+Pacific Oceans, between the latitudes of twenty-eight degrees
+north and twenty-eight degrees south.  In northern latitudes the
+trade wind blows from north-east, or varies but a few points from
+that direction.  South of the equator it blows constantly from
+the south-east; and the "south-east trade" is more steady than
+the trade wind north of the line.
+
+It often happens that vessels bound to the United States from
+India, after passing the Cape of Good Hope, steer a course nearly
+north-west, carrying studding-sails on both sides,
+uninterruptedly, through fifteen or twenty degrees of latitude.
+
+The cause of the trade winds is supposed to be the joint
+influence of the higher temperature of the torrid zone and the
+rotation of the earth on its axis.  On the equator, and extending
+sometimes a few degrees on either side, is a tract where light
+easterly winds, calms, and squalls, with thunder, lightning, and
+inundating rains, prevail.
+
+From what I have said, it will be seen that vessels bound from
+the American coast to the West Indies or Guiana should steer to
+the eastward in the early part of their passage, while they have
+the advantage of variable winds.  And this precaution is the more
+important, as these vessels, being generally dull sailers and
+deeply laden, will fail to reach their port if they fall to
+leeward, unless by returning north into the latitude of the
+variable winds, and making another trial, with the benefit of
+more experience.
+
+In those days there were no chronometers in use, and but few of
+our West India captains were in possession of a sextant, or
+indeed able to work a lunar observation.  The latitude was
+accurately determined every day by measuring the altitude of the
+sun as it passed the meridian.  To ascertain the longitude was a
+more difficult matter.  They were obliged to rely mainly on their
+dead reckoning; that is, to make a calculation of the course and
+distance run daily, from the points steered by the compass and
+the rate as indicated by the log-line and half-glass.  A
+reckoning on such a basis, where unknown currents prevail, where
+a vessel is steered wildly, or where the rate of sailing may be
+inaccurately recorded, is liable to many errors; therefore it was
+customary with all prudent masters, in those days, especially if
+they distrusted their own skill or judgment in keeping a
+reckoning to KEEP WELL TO THE EASTWARD.  This was a general rule,
+and looked upon as the key to West India navigation.  Sometimes a
+vessel bound to the Windward Islands, after reaching the latitude
+of her destined port, found it necessary to "run down," steering
+due west, a week or ten days before making the land.
+
+An incident occurred in those waters, a few weeks after we passed
+over them, which will illustrate this mode of navigation, and the
+consequences that sometimes attend it.  A large brig belonging to
+an eastern port, and commanded by a worthy and cautious man, was
+bound to St. Pierre in Martinico.  The latitude of that island
+was reached in due time, but the island could not bee seen, the
+captain having steered well to the eastward.  The brig was put
+before the wind, and while daylight lasted every stitch of canvas
+was spread, and every eye was strained to catch a glimpse of the
+high land which was expected to loom up in the western horizon.
+This proceeding continued for several days; the brig carrying a
+press of sail by day, and lying to by night, until patience
+seemed no longer a virtue.  The worthy captain began to fear he
+had not steered far enough to the eastward, but had been carried
+by unknown currents to leeward of his port, and that the first
+land he should make might prove to be the Musquito coast on the
+continent.  He felt anxious, and looked in vain for a vessel from
+which he could obtain a hint in regard to his true position.
+Neither land nor vessel could he meet with.
+
+At the close of the fifth day after he had commenced "running
+down," no land, at sunset, was in sight from the top-gallant
+yard; and at eight o'clock the brig was again hove to.  The
+captain declared with emphasis, that unless he should make the
+island of Martinico on the following day, he would adopt some
+different measures.  The nature of those measures, however, he
+never was called upon to explain.  In the morning, just as the
+gray light of dawn was visible in the east, while a dark cloud
+seemed to hang over the western horizon, all sail was again
+packed on the brig.  A fresh breeze which sprung up during the
+night gave the captain assurance that his passage would soon be
+terminated; and terminated it was, but in a manner he hardly
+anticipated, and which he certainly had not desired.  The brig
+had not been fifteen minutes under way when the dreadful sound of
+breakers was heard   a sound which strikes dismay to a sailor's
+heart.  The dark cloud in the west proved to be the mountains of
+Martinico, and the brig was dashed upon the shore.  The vessel
+and cargo were lost, and it was with difficulty the crew were
+saved.
+
+Captain Tilton, however, was a good navigator.  He had been a
+European trader, understood and practised "lunar observations,"
+and always knew with sufficient accuracy the position of the
+brig.
+
+Few things surprised me more on my first voyage to sea than the
+sudden and mysterious manner in which the coverings of the head
+were spirited away from the decks of the Dolphin.  Hats, caps,
+and even the temporary apologies for such articles of costume,
+were given unwittingly and most unwillingly to the waves.  A
+sudden flaw of wind, the flap of a sail, an involuntary jerk of
+the head, often elicited an exclamation of anger or a torrent of
+invectives from some unfortunate being who had been cruelly
+rendered bareheaded, attended with a burst of laughter from
+unsympathizing shipmates.
+
+The inimitable Dickens, in his best production, says, with all
+the shrewdness and point of a practical philosopher, "There are
+very few moments in a man's existence when he experiences so much
+ludicrous distress, or meets with so little commiseration, as
+when he is in pursuit of his own hat."  But, unfortunately, on
+shipboard, if a man's hat is taken off by the wind, he cannot
+chase it and recover it; nor is it swept from his sight into the
+DEPTHS of the sea.  On looking astern, he will see it gracefully
+and sportively riding on the billows, as if unconscious of any
+impropriety, reckless of the inconvenience which such desertion
+may cause its rightful proprietor, and an object of wonder, it
+may be, to the scaly inhabitants of old Neptune's dominions.
+
+Before we reached Demarara every hat and cap belonging to the
+ship's company, with a single exception, had been involuntarily
+given, as a propitiatory offering, to the god of Ocean.  This
+exception was a beaver hat belonging to the captain; and this
+would have followed its leaders, had it not been kept in a case
+hermetically sealed.   After the captain's stock of sea-going
+hats and caps had disappeared he wore around his head a kerchief,
+twisted fancifully, like a turban.  Others followed his example,
+while some fashioned for themselves skullcaps of fantastic shapes
+from pieces of old canvas; so that when we reached Demarara we
+looked more like a ship's company of Mediterranean pirates than
+honest Christians.
+
+I became accustomed to a sea life, and each succeeding day
+brought with it some novelty to wonder at or admire.  The sea is
+truly beautiful, and has many charms, notwithstanding a fresh-
+water poet, affecting to be disgusted with its monotony, has ill
+naturedly vented his spleen by describing the vanities of a sea
+life in two short lines:
+
+"Where sometimes you ship a sea,
+And sometimes see a ship."
+
+Yet in spite of its attractions, there are few persons, other
+than a young enthusiast on his first voyage, who, after passing
+several weeks on the ocean, are not ready to greet with gladness
+the sight of land, although it may be a desolate shore or a
+barren island.  Its very aspect fills the heart with joy, and
+excites feelings of gratitude to Him, whose protecting hand has
+led you safely through the dangers to which those who frequent
+the waste of waters are exposed.
+
+The gratification of every man on board the Dolphin may therefore
+be conceived, when, after a passage of FIFTY-THREE DAYS, in a
+very uncomfortable and leaky vessel, a man, sent one morning by
+the captain to the fore-top-gallant yard, after taking a bird's
+eye view from his elevated position, called out, in a triumphant
+voice, LAND, HO!
+
+The coast of Guiana was in sight.
+
+Guiana is an extensive tract of country, extending along the sea
+coast from the Orinoco to the Amazon.  When discovered in 1504,
+it was inhabited by the Caribs.  Settlements, however, were soon
+made on the shore by the Dutch, the French, and the Portuguese;
+and the country was divided into several provinces.  It was
+called by the discoverers "the wild coast," and is accessible
+only by the mouths of its rivers   the shores being every where
+lined with dangerous banks, or covered with impenetrable forests.
+Its appearance from the sea is singularly wild and uncultivated,
+and it is so low and flat that, as it is approached, the trees
+along the beach are the first objects visible.  The soil,
+however, is fertile, and adapted to every variety of tropical
+production,   sugar, rum, molasses, coffee, and cacao being its
+staple commodities.
+
+To the distance of thirty or forty miles from the sea coast the
+land continues level, and in the rainy season some districts are
+covered with water.  Indeed, the whole country bordering on the
+coast is intersected with swamps, marshes, rivers, artificial
+canals, and extensive intervals.  This renders it unhealthy; and
+many natives of a more genial clime have perished in the
+provinces of Guiana by pestilential fevers.
+
+These marshes and forests are nurseries of reptiles.  Alligators
+of immense size are found in the rivers, creeks, and pools, and
+serpents are met with on the swampy banks of the river, as large
+as the main-topmast of a merchant ship, and much larger!  The
+serpents being amphibious, often take to the water, and being
+driven unconsciously down the rivers by the currents, have been
+fallen in with on the coast several miles from the land.
+
+An incident took place on this coast in 1841, on board the bark
+Jane, of Boston, Captain Nickerson, which created quite a
+sensation on the decks of that vessel.  The bark was ready for
+sea, and had anchored in the afternoon outside the bar at the
+mouth of the Surinam River, when the crew turned in and the watch
+was set that night.  The bark was a well-conditioned, orderly
+vessel, harboring no strangers, interlopers, or vagrants of any
+description.
+
+The next morning, soon after daybreak, the mate put his hand into
+an open locker, at a corner of the round-house, for a piece of
+canvas, when it came in contact with a soft, clammy substance,
+which, to his consternation and horror, began to move!  He drew
+back, uttering an exclamation, in a voice so loud and startling
+as to alarm the captain and all hands, who hastened on deck in
+time to see an enormous serpent crawl sluggishly out of the
+closet, and stretch himself along the deck, with as much coolness
+and impudence as if he thought he really belonged to the brig,
+and with the monkeys and parrots, constituted a portion of the
+ship's company!
+
+Not so thought Captain Nickerson and the brave men with him.  The
+word was passed along   "There is a snake on board, as long as
+the main-top bowline!  Kill him, kill him!"
+
+The sailors seized handspikes, the cook flourished his
+tormentors, the mate wielded an axe, and the captain grasped a
+pistol!  Thus equipped and armed, they rushed to the encounter.
+
+The reptile found himself among foes instead of friends.  Where
+he looked for hospitality and kind treatment he found cruelty,
+oppression, and even murder!  He saw it was useless to contend
+against his fate when the odds were so decidedly against him, and
+wisely made no resistance.  He was stabbed by the cook, cudgelled
+by the crew, brained by the mate, and shot by the captain.  And,
+adding insult to injury, he was stripped of his skin, which was
+beautifully variegated and measured fourteen feet in length, and
+brought to Boston, where it was examined and admired by many of
+the citizens.
+
+This snake was doubtless an aboma, a species of serpent of large
+size and great beauty, which is not venomous.  In attempting to
+cross the river, it had probably been drifted down with the
+current, and carried out to sea.  It might have been swimming
+about in the waters for some time without finding a resting-
+place, and, having fallen in with a vessel at anchor, thought no
+harm would accrue to itself or others if it should silently glide
+on board through the rudder-hole, and take up its residence for
+the night.  But Captain Nickerson entertained a different
+opinion.  He looked upon "his snakesnip" as an "ugly customer,"
+and gave him a reception as such.
+
+In the course of the day on which land was discovered we reached
+the mouth of Demarara River, and received a pilot on board, and a
+queer-looking fellow, for a pilot I thought him.  He was a negro,
+with a skin dark as ebony, which shone with an exquisite polish.
+His costume was simplicity itself   consisting of an old straw
+hat, and a piece of coarse "osnaburg" tied around the waist!  But
+he was active and intelligent, notwithstanding his costume and
+color, and carried the brig over the bar in safety.  Soon after
+twilight the Dolphin was snugly anchored in smooth water in the
+river opposite the capital of the province.
+
+The next morning, at an early hour, I went on deck, anxious to
+scrutinize the surrounding objects.  The river was about a mile
+and a half wide, the tide flowed with great rapidity, and the
+waters were turbid in the extreme.  The shores were lined with
+trees and shrubs, presenting nothing of an attractive character.
+A number of vessels, chiefly English and American, were moored in
+the river, engaged in taking in or discharging cargoes; and
+sundry small schooners, called "droghers," manned by blacks,
+nearly naked, were sailing up or down the river, laden with
+produce.
+
+The town, half concealed in the low, swampy grounds, appeared
+insignificant and mean, and the wharves and landing places at the
+river's side were neither picturesque nor beautiful.  The
+architecture of the houses, however, with porticoes, verandas,
+and terraces, excited my admiration.  I also saw, in the
+distance, palm and cocoanut trees, and banana and plantain
+shrubs, with leaves six or eight feet long.  These Various
+objects, with the sultry stagnation of the atmosphere, and the
+light and airy costume of those of the inhabitants I had seen
+convinced me that I was not laboring under a dream, but was
+actually in a foreign port, two thousand miles from home, and in
+a tropical climate.
+
+The following day being Sunday, I accompanied Mr. Thompson on a
+visit to the market, in order to obtain a supply of fresh
+provisions and vegetables.  I was surprised to find the public
+market open on the Sabbath.  The very idea of such a custom
+conflicted with my pre-conceived notions of propriety and
+religion.  But Sunday was a great holiday in Demarara   indeed
+the only day which the slaves on the plantations could call their
+own.  On Sunday they were allowed to visit each other, frolic as
+they pleased, cultivate their little gardens, make their
+purchases at the shops which were open on that day, and carry
+their produce to market.
+
+Hence the spacious market square, in the midst of the town, was
+covered with articles of traffic.  The venders were chiefly negro
+women, who exposed for sale immense quantities of yams, tomatoes,
+cassava bread, sugar-cane, plantains, water-cresses, oranges,
+bananas, avocado pears, etc., with fancy articles of almost every
+description.
+
+The scene was a novel and interesting one.  The market women were
+habited in garments of a marvelously scanty pattern, better
+adapted to the sultry character of the climate than to the
+notions of delicacy which prevail among civilized people in a
+more northern clime.  The head-dress consisted, in almost every
+instance, of a calico kerchief, of gaudy colors, fantastically
+wreathed around the head.  They were respectful in their
+deportment, exhibited their wares to the best advantage, and with
+cheerful countenances and occasional jokes, accompanied with
+peals of merry laughter, seemed happier than millionaires or
+kings!  Their dialect was a strange jumble of Dutch, English, and
+African.  All were fond of talking, and, like aspiring
+politicians in happy New England, neglected no chance to display
+their extraordinary power of language.  And such a jabbering,
+such a confusion of tongues, as I listened to that Sunday morning
+in the market-place of Demarara, overwhelmed me with wonder, and
+days elapsed before I could get the buzz out of my head!
+
+In answer to inquiries relative to the health of the place, it
+was gratifying to learn that the province had not been so free
+from yellow fever at that season for several years.  While the
+Dolphin remained in port but few fatal cases occurred in the
+harbor, and the origin of those could be traced to intemperance
+or other imprudent conduct.  There was no serious sickness on
+board the brig while we remained, and only one "regular drunken
+scrape."  This occurred a few days after we arrived in port.  Two
+of the crew, on some plausible pretext, one afternoon obtained
+leave of Mr. Thompson to go on shore.  He cautioned them to keep
+sober, and be early on board, and they solemnly promised to
+comply with his instructions.
+
+But these "noble old tars" had no sooner set their feet upon the
+land than they rushed to a grog shop.  It is well know that grog
+shops are found in abundance in all parts of the world where
+civilization extends its genial influence.  Temptations of the
+most alluring character are every where offered to weak-minded
+and unprincipled men to abandon the prerogative of reason and
+become brutes.  In exchange for their money, these sailors
+procured the means of becoming drunk!  They quarreled with the
+shopkeeper, insulted his customers, were severely threshed for
+their brutality and insolence, and were finally picked up in the
+street, and brought on board by two of the crew of an American
+vessel which was moored near the Dolphin.
+
+They looked wretchedly enough.  Their clothes, which were neat
+and trim when they went ashore, were mostly torn from their
+backs, their faces were bruised and bloody, and their eyes
+surrounded by livid circles.  Their shipmates, seeing their
+degraded condition, assisted them on board, and persuaded them to
+go into the forecastle, which was now appropriated to the
+accommodation of the ship's company.  But instead of retiring to
+their berths, and sleeping off the effects of their liquor, these
+men determined to have a ROW.
+
+The craziest of them made his way on deck, and began to sing, and
+dance, and halloo like a madman.  One of his shipmates, named
+Wilkins, remonstrated against such unruly conduct, and received
+in return a blow on the side of the head, which sent him with
+great force against the gunwale.  The peacemaker, indignant at
+such unexpected and undeserved treatment, returned the blow with
+interest.  The other inebriate, hearing the disturbance, came to
+the assistance of his drunken companion.  A general fight ensued;
+some heavy blows were interchanged, and for a few minutes there
+was a scene of confusion, profanity, and hard fighting on the
+decks of the Dolphin, which showed me a new, and not very
+attractive phase in the sailor's character.
+
+Mr. Thompson, armed with authority and a heaver, soon made his
+appearance among them, and with the assistance of the sober ones,
+after a severe struggle, succeeded in mastering and pinioning the
+two men, who, though in full possession of their physical
+faculties, were actually crazed with alcoholic drinks.  When thus
+rendered harmless, their yells were terrific, until it was found
+necessary for the peace of the harbor to GAG THEM; which was done
+by gently placing an iron pump-bolt between the jaws of each of
+the maniacs, and fastening it by a rope-yarn behind the ear.
+Thus, unable to give utterance to their feelings, and exhausted
+by fruitless struggles, they fell asleep.
+
+In the morning cool reflection came.  They looked as ruefully as
+Don Quixote after his battle with the shepherds, and bore as many
+marks of the prowess of their opponents.  But, unlike "the Knight
+of the Rueful Countenance," they seemed heartily ashamed of their
+exploits, and promised better behavior in future.
+
+Nevertheless, a few days after this affair, Jim Bilton, one of
+the men who had figured so conspicuously in the row, and owed
+Wilkins a grudge for the black eye he had received in the melee,
+challenged his shipmate to a "fair stand-up fight!"
+
+The challenge was accepted; but as the main deck of the brig was
+still "lumbered up," and the forecastle furnished a field
+altogether too confined for such recreations, it was agreed that
+this "stand-up fight" should take place while each of the
+combatants were sitting astride a chest!  Accordingly a large
+chest was roused up from below, and placed athwart-ships on the
+forecastle, between the bowsprit bitts and the cathead.  The
+parties took their seats on the ends of the chest, facing each
+other, and the business was to be settled by hard knocks.
+
+The men faced each other boldly, some weighty compliments were
+interchanged, when Bilton, to avoid a favor from his antagonist
+which in all probability would have finished him, slipped off the
+end of the chest, to the disgust of his shipmates and his own
+everlasting disgrace.
+
+One of the crew, however, who was ingenious at expedients, and
+determined to see fair play, by means of a hammer and a tenpenny
+nail fastened both parties firmly to the chest by the seats of
+their canvas trousers.  There being no longer a possibility of
+BACKING OUT, the battle was resumed, but did not last long; for
+Bilton soon received a blow on his left temple, which, in spite
+of the tenpenny nail, knocked him off the chest, and decided the
+contest.
+
+
+Chapter V
+DEMARARA
+
+A circumstance occurred not long before our arrival at Demarara,
+which, being somewhat remarkable in its character, furnished a
+fruitful theme for conversation and comment.  This was the
+arrival of a vessel from Cadiz, with only one person on board.
+
+It seems that a Captain Shackford, of Portsmouth, N.H., was the
+master and owner of a sloop of some sixty or eighty tons.  He
+proceeded to Cadiz, and there took in a cargo for Guiana.  When
+on the eve of sailing, his crew, dissatisfied with some of his
+proceedings, left the vessel.
+
+Captain Shackford, a resolute but eccentric man, resolved not to
+be disappointed in his calculations, or delayed in his voyage by
+the desertion of his crew, and boldly put to sea on the day
+appointed for sailing, trusting in his own unaided efforts and
+energies to manage the vessel on a passage across the ocean of
+thirty-five hundred miles.  He was seventy-four days on his
+passage; but brought his vessel into port in tolerable order,
+having experienced no difficulty on his way, and losing only one
+day of his reckoning.
+
+The arrival of a vessel in Demarara, under such singular
+circumstances, caused quite a sensation among the authorities,
+and gave rise to suspicions by no means favorable to the
+character of the captain as an honest man, and which his long,
+tangled locks and hirsute countenance   for he had not combed his
+hair or shaved his face during the passage   tended to confirm.
+It was thought by some that a mutiny might have broken out among
+the crew of the sloop, which resulted in scenes of violence and
+bloodshed, and that this wild-looking man was the only survivor
+of a desperate struggle between the officers and crew.  Indeed,
+he looked not unlike a mutineer and murderer.
+
+Captain Shackford was indignant at these suspicions, and would
+hardly deign to give explanations.  It was fortunate for him that
+some vessels belonging to Portsmouth were in the harbor, the
+captains of which recognized him as an old acquaintance, and
+vouched for his character as an honest, well-meaning man,
+although at times indulging in strange freaks, more akin to
+madness than method.  He was released from arrest, and
+subsequently disposed of his merchandise at remunerating prices,
+and with a cargo of assorted articles, and a crew, sailed for a
+port in the United States.
+
+After the cargo of the Dolphin was discharged, preparations were
+made for receiving a return cargo, to consist principally of
+molasses.  The process of taking in and stowing a cargo of this
+description is a peculiar one; and as I shall recur to this
+subject hereafter, I avail myself of this opportunity to
+describe, briefly, the mode of operation.
+
+The empty casks are carefully stowed in the hold, with small
+pieces of board between the quarter-hoops of each cask, so that
+the bilge of a cask shall touch no other substance whatever.  The
+bungholes must also be uppermost; thus, in the brief but
+expressive language of commerce, "every cask must be bung up and
+bilge free."  A "molasses hose" is then procured, consisting of a
+half barrel with a hole in the bottom, to which is attached a
+leathern hose an inch and a half in diameter, and long enough to
+reach to the most distant part of the hold.   A hogshead filled
+with molasses is then hoisted over the hatchway, hung down, and
+the hose-tub is placed directly beneath; the bung is taken out,
+and the molasses passes through the hose to any cask in the hold
+that may be wished. When the cask is filled the hose is shifted
+to another, and in this way the casks are all filled and the
+cargo stowed.  The process is tedious; and although a sweet, by
+no means a pleasant one, to those engaged in it.
+
+It may be imagined that the crew, after working all day among
+molasses in that hot climate, should wish to bathe in the
+evening; and the river alongside, although the element was
+neither pure nor transparent, offered, at high or low water, a
+tempting opportunity.  To the very natural and proper inquiry
+whether the harbor of Demarara was infested with sharks   a man-
+eating shark not being the most desirable "companion of the bath"
+  we were told that a shark had never been seen in the harbor;
+that the river water, being turbid and fresher than the ocean
+water, was offensive to that much dreaded animal, which delights
+in the clear waters of the salt sea.  We were further told that
+up the river, in the creeks and pools which abound in that
+region, alligators were met with in large numbers; some of them
+of large size, and had been known to attack a man in the water;
+but they never ventured down the river among the shipping.
+
+The reports being thus favorable, the crew of the Dolphin, being
+good swimmers, were indeed, whenever it was "slack water" of an
+evening, to take a swim in the river; and the crews of other
+American vessels followed the example.  One evening, at twilight,
+there were swimming about and sporting in the water, deriving the
+highest enjoyment from this healthy and refreshing exercise, some
+fifteen or twenty American sailors.  On the following day an
+incident occurred, which operated as an impressive warning
+against bathing in the waters of the Demarara.
+
+On the afternoon of that day, a sailor at work on the mizzen-
+topsail yard of an English ship moored within the distance of a
+cable's length from the Dolphin, accidentally fell from the yard.
+As he fell he caught hold of the main brace, and was suspended
+for a minute over the water.  There was quite a commotion on the
+deck of the ship, which attracted the attention of the crews of
+neighboring vessels.  On hearing the distressing cry of the man,
+and witnessing the tumult on board the ship, the crew of the
+Dolphin ran to the side of the brig and gazed with interest on
+the scene.
+
+The poor fellow was unable to retain his hold of the rope until
+he could receive assistance.  He fell into the water alongside,
+but rose to the surface almost immediately, and being,
+apparently, a good swimmer, struck out vigorously towards the
+ship.  Some of his shipmates jumped into the boat to pick him up,
+as, notwithstanding his exertions, he was swept away by the tide;
+but none of the lookers-on apprehended any danger.
+
+While we were intently watching the result, the unfortunate man
+gave a shrill and piercing shriek; and we then saw by the
+commotion in the water, and the appearance of a large fin above
+the surface, that a shark had seized the unlucky sailor, which
+caused him to give utterance to that dreadful cry.  He
+immediately sank with his prey, and the muddy state of the water
+prevented the ruthless monster or his victim from being seen.
+
+We were still gazing on the spot where this fearful tragedy was
+enacted, transfixed and mute with horror, when the shark again
+rose to the surface, bearing in his jaws the lifeless body of the
+English sailor; and for a brief period we beheld the voracious
+fish devouring his human food.
+
+The cargo of the Dolphin being completed, there ensued the usual
+bustle and confusion in making preparations for sea.  Owing to
+the lateness of the season, Captain Tilton was unwilling to
+encounter the storms of the New England coast in a vessel hardly
+seaworthy, and expressed an intention to proceed to Charleston,
+in South Carolina.
+
+About a week before we left Demarara a small English brig-of-war
+arrived in the harbor, causing much consternation among the
+sailors, and not without reason.  The brig was deficient in her
+complement of men, and this deficiency was supplied by
+impressment from crews of British vessels in port.  The commander
+was a young man, who in common with most of the British naval
+officers of that day, had an exalted opinion of his dignity and
+importance, and held the Yankees in contempt.
+
+The pennant at the main is a distinguishing mark of a man-of-war,
+and it was considered disrespectful on the part of the master of
+a merchant vessel to wear a pennant in the presence of a cruiser.
+But on the Sunday following the arrival of the gun brig the
+captain of a fine-looking American brig, who did not entertain
+that respect for John Bull which the representatives of that
+dignitary were disposed to exact, hoisted his colors, as usual,
+on the Sabbath.  He did not confine his display of bunting to the
+ensign at the peak, a burgee studded with stars at the fore, and
+a jack on the bowsprit, but ran up a pennant of most preposterous
+length at the main, which proudly flaunted in the breeze, as if
+bidding defiance to the Englishman.
+
+The young naval commander foolishly allowed himself to be annoyed
+by this proceeding on the part of the Yankee, and resolved to
+administer an appropriate rebuke.  He sent an officer alongside
+the American brig, who, in a peremptory tone, told the mate to
+cause that Yankee pennant to be hauled down immediately.
+
+The captain, hearing of the mandate, made his appearance on deck;
+and on a repetition of the order from the officer, exhibited
+unequivocal symptoms of a choleric temper.  After letting off a
+little of his exuberant wrath, he declared with emphasis that he
+had a RIGHT to wear a pennant, and WOULD wear it in spite of all
+the officers in the British navy.
+
+The midshipman, finding it of no avail to continue the parley,
+told his cockswain to go aloft and "dowse the pennant and leave
+it in the cross-trees."   This was done, regardless of the
+protest of the captain, and his threats to lay the subject before
+the government and make it a national matter.  The boat had
+hardly reached the man-of-war, when the pennant was again flying
+on board the American brig, and seemed to wave more proudly than
+before.
+
+The man-of-war's boat was sent back, and some sharp words were
+exchanged between the British officer and the Yankee captain; but
+the former, possessing superior physical force, was triumphant.
+The pennant was again hauled down, but this time it was not left
+in the cross-trees.  The cockswain took it with him and it was
+carried on board the English brig, in spite of the denunciation
+hurled against men-of-war's men, in which the epithets "thieves,"
+"robbers," and "pirates," were distinctly heard.
+
+A few nights after the above-mentioned occurrence we received an
+unexpected addition to the number of our crew.  It was about an
+hour after midnight, when the man who had the watch on deck was
+comfortably seated on a coil of rope beneath the main deck
+awning, and probably dozing, while sheltered from a heavy and
+protracted shower of rain.  The night was dark and gloomy; the
+ebb tide made a moaning, monotonous noise under the bows, and
+rushed swiftly by the sides of the vessel, leaving a broad wake
+astern.  The sailor was roused from his comfortable position by a
+sound resembling the cry of a person in distress.  He started to
+his feet, and stepped out from beneath the awning.  He listened,
+and again distinctly heard the cry, which seemed to come from the
+water under the bows.  Supposing it might proceed from some
+person who had fallen overboard and wanted help, he went forward
+to the knight-heads, and called out, "Who's there?"
+
+A voice from below the bowsprit faintly replied, "Shipmate, for
+God's sake bear a hand, and give me help.  I can hold on but a
+few minutes longer."
+
+He was now aware that a man, in an exhausted condition, was
+clinging to the cable, and required immediate assistance.  He
+called up his shipmates, and with little difficulty they
+succeeded in hauling him safely on board.  He proved to be a
+fine-looking English sailor; and as soon as he recovered strength
+enough to converse, explained the cause of his perilous
+situation.
+
+He belonged to the brig-of-war, which was lying at anchor about
+half a mile above.  He had been impressed two years before; and
+being treated with cruelty and harshness, had been eagerly
+watching an opportunity to escape from his inhuman bondage.  At
+length he formed a plan with one of his messmates, to slip
+overboard quietly the first dark night, and relying on skill in
+swimming, attempt to reach some vessel at anchor in the harbor.
+
+The plan was carried into effect.  They succeeded in eluding the
+vigilance of the sentries, dropped gently into the water, and
+were soon floating astern.  But their situation was one of
+extreme peril.  The current was stronger than they anticipated,
+and the darkness of the night prevented them from distinguishing
+any vessel in time to get on board.  As soon as they were swept
+out of hearing of the man-of-war, they shouted loudly for help;
+but the murmuring of the tide, the pattering of the rain, and the
+howling of the wind prevented their voices from being heard, as,
+notwithstanding their exertions to stem the tide, they floated
+rapidly down the river towards the bar.
+
+What risks will a man encounter to secure his liberty!  It was
+not long before these friends separated, never to meet again.
+One of them sank beneath the waters.  The other had given up all
+expectation of being rescued, when he beheld an object, darker
+than the murky atmosphere by which it was surrounded, rising, as
+it appeared to him, out of the water.  His heart beat quicker
+within his bosom.  In a moment more he had seized the cable of
+the Dolphin, and shouted for help. This man was grateful for the
+succor he had received, and expressed a wish to work his passage
+to the United States.  To this suggestion Captain Tilton offered
+no objection, and he subsequently proved to be one of the best
+men on board.
+
+That very morning the black pilot made his appearance, grinning
+as he thrust his dark muzzle over the gunwale.  He was greeted
+with answering smiles, for we were "homeward bound," and all
+hands cheerfully commenced heaving up the anchor and making sail.
+With a favorable breeze and an ebb tide we soon passed the bar,
+and entered upon the broad ocean.  The fresh trade wind was
+welcome after sweltering for weeks in the sultry and unwholesome
+atmosphere of Demarara; and the clear and pellucid waters of the
+ocean bore a cheerful aspect, contrasted with the thick and
+opaque waters of the river in which we had remained several weeks
+at anchor.
+
+Nothing remarkable occurred during the homeward passage, until we
+reached the Gulf Stream,   that extraordinary current, sixty or
+seventy miles in width, and many degrees warmer than the ocean
+water on either side, and which reaches from the Gulf of Florida
+to the Shoals of Nantucket.  There can be no doubt that this
+current of the Gulf Stream is owing to the trade winds in the
+tropical seas, which, blowing at all times from the eastward,
+drive a large body of water towards the American continent.
+Vessels bound to India invariably meet with a strong westerly
+current within the tropics, and particularly in the vicinity of
+the equator.  This volume of water is thus forced along the
+shores of Brazil and Guiana, until it enters the Caribbean Sea,
+from which it has no outlet excepting through the strait bounded
+by Cape Catouche in Yucatan, on one side, and Cape St. Antonio,
+in Cuba, on the other.
+
+Through this strait, after a strong trade wind has been blowing
+for a time, the current sets into the Gulf of Mexico at the rate
+of two or three knots an hour.  Here the waters of the tropical
+seas are mingled with the waters of the Mississippi, the Balize,
+the Rio Grande, the Colorado, the Alabama, and other large
+streams which empty into the Gulf of Mexico; and turning off to
+the eastward, this body of water is driven along between the
+coasts of Cuba and Florida until it strikes the Salt Key Bank and
+the Bahamas, when it receives another considerable addition from
+the currents, which, from the same causes, are continually
+setting west through the Old Bahama and New Providence Channels.
+It is then forced northward along the coast of Florida and the
+Middle States.  The stream becomes wider as it extends north,
+diminishes its velocity, and gradually changes its temperature,
+until it strikes the shoals south of Nantucket and the Bank of
+St. George, when it branches off to the eastward, washes the
+southern edge of the Bank of Newfoundland, and a portion of it is
+lost in the ocean between the Western and Canary Islands; and
+another portion, sweeping to the southward past the Cape de
+Verdes, is again impelled to the westward across the Atlantic,
+and performs its regular round.
+
+The current always moving in the same circuitous track, forms,
+according to Mr. Maury, to whose scientific labors the commercial
+world is deeply indebted, an IMMENSE WHIRLPOOL, whose circuit
+embraces the whole North Atlantic Ocean.  In the centre of the
+whirl is a quiet spot, equal in extent of area to the whole
+Mississippi valley, unaffected by currents of any kind.  And
+here, as a matter of course, the greater part of the gulf-weed
+and other floating materials, which are carried round by the
+current, is eventually deposited.  This is the "Sargasso Sea" of
+the ancients.  Columbus crossed this "weedy sea" on his quest
+after a western passage to India.  And the singular appearance of
+the ocean, thickly matted over with gulf-weed, caused great alarm
+among his companions, who thought they had reached the limits of
+navigation.
+
+A current of a character similar to the Gulf Stream   only not so
+strong   is experienced along the east coast of Africa, from
+Mozambique to the Lagullas Bank, off the Cape of Good Hope.  This
+current is undoubtedly caused by the trade wind forcing the water
+towards the coast of Africa.  But in this case it is not driven
+into a narrow passage, like the Gulf of Florida, which would
+greatly increase its velocity.  The temperature of the water in
+the current off the Cape of Good Hope is also several degrees
+higher than the ocean waters in the neighborhood of the current.
+
+On the afternoon on which we entered the Gulf Stream the wind
+hauled suddenly to the eastward, and the heavens were obscured by
+clouds.  The breeze also increased, and the sea became rough,
+causing the brig to assume various unseemly attitudes, and
+perform gymnastic exercises wonderful to behold.  As the wind
+increased and the sea became more turbulent, the Dolphin tumbled
+about like an elephant dancing a hornpipe, insomuch that it was
+difficult for a person to keep his perpendicular.  Indeed, as I
+was passing along from the camboose to the cabin, with a plate of
+toast in one hand and a teapot in the other, the brig took a lee
+lurch without giving notice of her intention, and sent me with
+tremendous force across the deck, to leeward, where I brought up
+against the sail.  But the tea and toast were ejected from my
+hands into the sea, and I never saw them more.
+
+At twilight, Captain Tilton came on deck, and looking around the
+horizon, said, addressing the mate, "Mr. Thompson, the weather
+looks GREASY to windward; I fear a gale is brewing.  You may find
+the top-gallant sail and jib, and take a reef in the mainsail."
+
+This work was soon accomplished.  The captain's prediction was
+verified; for the wind continued to increase, accompanied with
+fine drizzling rain, until about nine o'clock, when orders were
+given to take another reef in the mainsail, and double reef the
+fore-topsail.  It was not long before the wind swept across the
+waves with almost resistless force, when it was found necessary
+to strip the brig of all canvas, excepting a storm main-staysail
+and close-reefed fore-topsail; the yards were braced up, the helm
+lashed a-lee, and the brig was laid to.
+
+The gale continued unabated all night.  Our vessel rolled heavily
+to leeward, and strained considerably, her bulkheads groaning and
+her seams opening, making it necessary to keep one of the pumps
+in constant operation.  As soon as it was daylight I went on
+deck, anxious to witness a spectacle I had often heard described
+  A GALE OF WIND AT SEA   and it was a sight to call forth my
+wonder and admiration.  The wind, blowing furiously, whistled
+wildly among the rigging; the waves of alarming size and
+threatening appearance, came rushing in swift succession towards
+us, as if eager to overwhelm our puny bark, which nevertheless
+floated unharmed, now riding on the crest of a wave, and anon
+plunging into a deep and angry-looking gulf, taking no water on
+deck, excepting from an occasional spray.
+
+I asked one of the sailors who had just taken a spell at the
+pump, if this were not a hurricane.
+
+"Hurricane!" said he, with a good-natured grin.  "Nonsense!  This
+is only a stiff breeze.  'Tis as different from a hurricane as a
+heaver is from a handspike.  When you see a hurricane, my lad,
+you will know it, even if the name is not lettered on the starn."
+
+"Then I suppose there is no actual danger in a gale like this,
+although it does not look very inviting."
+
+"Danger!   I don't know about that.  In a good seaworthy vessel a
+man is as SAFE in a gale of wind as if he was cooped up in a
+grog-selling boarding house on shore; and a thousand times better
+off in other respects.  But this miserable old craft is strained
+in every timber, and takes in more water through the seams in her
+bottom than 'the combers' toss on her decks.  If her bottom does
+not drop out some of these odd times, and leave us in the lurch,
+we may think ourselves lucky."
+
+After uttering these consolatory remarks, accompanied with a
+significant shrug, he resumed his labors at the pump.
+
+The wind blew with violence through the day, and the leak kept
+increasing.  There is probably no exercise more fatiguing than
+"pumping ship," as practised with the clumsy, awkward
+contrivances called PUMPS, which were generally in use among the
+merchant vessels of those days.  It being necessary to keep the
+pumps in constant operation, or in nautical parlance, "pump or
+sink," the crew, although a hardy, vigorous set of men, became
+exhausted and disheartened, and, to my astonishment and disgust,
+instead of manifesting by their solemn looks and devout demeanor
+a sense of the danger with which they were threatened,
+alternately pumped, grumbled, and swore, and swore, grumbled, and
+pumped.
+
+Change is incident to every thing; and even a gale of wind cannot
+last forever.  Before night the tempest was hushed, the waves
+diminished, and in a few hours the brig was under full sail,
+jogging along to the westward at the rate of six or seven knots.
+The next day we got soundings on the coast of Carolina, and, with
+a fair wind, rapidly approached the land.
+
+Off the mouth of the bay which forms the harbor of Charleston
+extends a long line of shoals, on which the breakers are
+continually dashing.  These shoals are intersected by narrow
+channels, through which vessels of moderate draught may pass at
+high water with a smooth sea.  The principal channel, or main
+passage, for ships over the bar is narrow, and never attempted
+without a pilot.  About three miles from the bar is the
+lighthouse, which stands on a low, sandy shore.  Indeed, the
+whole coast is low and sandy, abounding in mosquitoes, sandflies,
+and oysters.  Inside the bar there is good anchorage, but the
+tide at certain periods ebbs and flows with great velocity.
+
+We crossed the bar, and, without anchoring, proceeded to the
+city.  We passed Sullivan's Island on the right   a long, low,
+sandy island, which is the summer residence of many of the
+inhabitants of Charleston.  On this island Fort Moultrie is
+situated, which commands the passage to the city, about four
+miles distant.  This fort proved an awkward obstacle to the
+capture of Charleston, when that feat was rashly attempted by Sir
+Peter Parker, during the revolutionary war.
+
+On all the surrounding objects I gazed with a deep and intense
+interest, which was not relaxed until the Dolphin dropped anchor
+off the wharves of this celebrated city.
+
+
+Chapter VI
+SCENES IN CHARLESTON
+
+Soon after the Dolphin arrived in Charleston the crew were
+discharged, with the exception of one of the seamen and myself.
+We retained our quarters in the brig.  Mr. Thompson, the mate,
+took passage in a vessel for Boston, and not long afterwards
+sailed from Portsmouth in command of a ship.  Captain Tilton took
+up his residence at a fashionable boarding house, and I seldom
+had any communication with him.  I supposed, as a matter of
+course, that he would soon enter on another voyage, and I should
+go with him.  In the meantime, having provided me with a
+temporary home, he left me to associate with whom I pleased, and
+struggle single-handed against the many temptations to which a
+young sailor in a strange maritime city is always exposed.
+
+About a week after our arrival in Charleston, as I was passing
+through one of the principal streets, clad in strict sailor
+costume, I met a good-looking gentleman, who, to my surprise,
+accosted me with great politeness, his pleasant features lighted
+up with a benevolent smile, and inquired if I had not recently
+returned from a voyage to sea.  Upon being assured that such was
+the case, he remarked that he liked my appearance, and doubted
+not I was a smart, capable lad, who would be a valuable
+acquisition to the crew of a good ship.  I was flattered and
+pleased with the conduct of this genteel looking stranger,
+convinced that he was a person of good judgment and nice
+discrimination.  He further informed me, with a patronizing air,
+that he was the captain of a fine fast-sailing vessel, bound on a
+pleasant voyage, and should be delighted to number among his crew
+some active and intelligent young men, like myself.  He even went
+so far as to say he was so well satisfied with my appearance,
+that if I would accompany him to a counting-room on an adjoining
+wharf, he would ship me without asking further questions, and
+advance a month's wages on the spot.  But the amount he offered
+as monthly wages was so much greater than I, being but little
+better than a very green hand, had a right to expect, that a
+person acquainted with human nature would have suspected this
+pleasant-spoken gentleman to have some other reason for his
+conduct than admiration of my appearance and interest in my
+welfare.  I was eager to place myself at once under the
+protection of my new friend; yet I could not forget that I was
+still under the care of my kinsman, Captain Tilton, and that it
+would be neither decorous nor proper to make this new engagement
+without consulting him.  But I did not for a moment doubt he
+would give his consent to the proposed arrangement, and be
+rejoiced to get me fairly off his hands.
+
+I communicated my objections to the stranger, but assured him
+that I would meet him in the afternoon at the place he
+designated, and in all probability sign "the articles."  He
+seemed, nevertheless, disappointed at the result of the
+interview, and bidding me not fail to come, turned away, and
+walked slowly towards the wharf.
+
+As I left this kind-hearted stranger, brim full of newborn
+confidence and hope, and exulting in the fact that I had fallen
+in with a man of influence and position, who could appreciate my
+merit, I met a couple of sailors of my acquaintance, who had been
+standing at a corner of the street witnessing our interview, with
+which they seemed greatly amused.  One of the sailors, with a
+deficiency of respect for my would-be patron which I could not
+approve, said, "Hawser, what were you talking with that fellow
+about?"
+
+I explained, with great glee and at full length, the nature of
+our conversation to which they greedily listened, winking
+mysteriously at each other.  When I had concluded, they indulged
+in a hearty laugh.
+
+It was some time before they could sufficiently restrain their
+merriment to enlighten me on the cause of their mirth.  I was
+then told, to my mortification, that my kind friend, the
+GENTLEMAN on whose benevolence and protection I had already built
+hopes of success in life, was neither more nor less than the
+captain of an armed clipper brig,   a SLAVER,   anchored in the
+outer roads, which had been for a fortnight ready for sea, but
+was detained in consequence of the desertion of three several
+crews, who had been induced by false representations to ship, and
+had deserted EN MASSE as soon as they learned the true character
+of the vessel and the voyage.  He was now using all possible
+means to entrap a crew of men or boys for this abominable
+traffic, and was by no means particular in his choice.
+
+This was a severe blow to my vanity.  I felt not a little
+indignant at being so easily cajoled, played upon, and almost
+kidnapped by this unprincipled scoundrel.  It was a valuable
+lesson, however; for experience is a good, although expensive
+teacher.
+
+A few days passed away, when, one morning about three o'clock, as
+some members of the city patrol were passing through Church
+Street, they discovered a man, apparently n a dying state, lying
+in the street.  He was conveyed to the guard house, or patrol
+station, where he died in the course of half an hour, without
+being able to articulate a syllable.  Several wounds in different
+parts of his body, made by a small penknife, which was
+subsequently found, were undoubtedly the cause of his death.  The
+unfortunate man thus murdered was the captain of the slaver, who
+had sought to entrap me by his honeyed words.  A pool of blood
+was on the spot on which he was first discovered, and his steps
+could be traced by the blood on the pavements for several rods.
+The marks of blood were found only in the middle of the street;
+and none of the persons residing in that part of the city heard
+any disturbance, brawl, or cries for assistance in the course of
+the night.
+
+The mysterious tragedy caused a great excitement.  The police
+were unceasing in their efforts to discover the circumstances
+connected with this assassination, but in vain.  The veil which
+concealed it was not lifted, and no clew was ever given by which
+even conjecture could develop the mystery.
+
+It was supposed by some that the unfortunate man fell a victim to
+the rage of a jealous husband whose honor he had outraged, or of
+a lover whose affections he had supplanted.  Others thought the
+fatal injuries he received were the result of a drunken quarrel,
+commenced in a gaming house; while many believed that private
+revenge inflicted the stabs, which, from their number and
+direction, appeared to have been given under the influence of
+ungovernable fury.  Some thought the wounds were inflicted by a
+vigorous man, others, that a woman had imbrued her hands in his
+blood.
+
+The first, and perhaps most natural supposition, was that some
+negro, knowing the character of the voyage which the murdered man
+had contemplated, had taken this desperate mode of arresting his
+proceedings.  This theory, however, was soon generally abandoned
+for another.  It was suggested that one of the sailors who had
+shipped in the slaver and subsequently deserted, knowing the
+captain was seeking them in every direction, had met him in the
+street, and fearful of being arrested, or seeking to revenge a
+personal wrong, had committed the terrible crime.  This
+hypothesis was, doubtless, as false as either of the others, and
+more absurd.  It was, nevertheless, adopted by the city
+authorities, and promptly acted upon, with a disregard to the
+rights of individuals which seems strangely at variance with
+republican institutions.  The police force was strengthened, and
+on the evening succeeding the discovery of the murder received
+orders to arrest and place in confinement every individual seen
+in the streets wearing the garb of a sailor.  This arbitrary
+edict was strictly enforced; and Jack, on leaving his home in the
+forecastle or a boarding house to visit the haunts of
+dissipation, or perhaps to attend to some pressing and important
+duty, was pounced upon by the members of the city guard, and,
+much to his astonishment and anger, and maugre his struggles,
+expostulations, and threats, was carried off without any assigned
+reason, and securely placed under lock and key.
+
+     Some two or three hundred of these unoffending tars were
+caught, captured, cribbed, and confined.  No respect was paid to
+age, color or nation.  They were huddled together in rooms of
+very moderate dimensions, which precluded, for one night at
+least, any idea of rest or comfort; and such a confusion of
+tongues, such anathemas against the city officials, such threats
+of vengeance, such rare specimens of swearing, singing, and
+shouting, varied occasionally by rough greetings and jeers
+whenever a new squad of blue jackets was thrust in among them,
+would have commanded the admiration of the evil dwellers in
+Milton's Pandemonium.
+
+This arbitrary measure failed of success.  The kidnapped sailors,
+on the following day, were separately examined in the presence of
+the mate of the brig, but no reasons were found for detaining a
+single individual.
+
+A few days after this occurrence, Captain Tilton told me he had
+sold the brig Dolphin to a Captain Turner, of New York, a worthy
+man and his particular friend; that Captain Turner intended
+proceeding immediately to some neutral port in the West Indies.
+The non-intercourse act, at that time, prohibited all trade to
+places belonging to either of the great belligerent powers.  He
+also said he had made no arrangements in regard to himself; that
+he was undecided what course to pursue, and might remain on shore
+for months.  Anxious, however, to promote my interest by
+procuring me active employment, he had stipulated with Captain
+Turner that I should have "a chance" in the Dolphin, on her next
+voyage, before the mast.  I had not a word to say against this
+arrangement, but gave my cheerful consent, especially as it was
+represented that Captain Turner would "treat me with kindness,
+and help me along in the world."
+
+I was thus unceremoniously dismissed by Captain Tilton from his
+charge.  Under the plea of promoting my interest, he had procured
+me a situation before the mast in an old, leaky vessel, which he
+had got rid of because she was not seaworthy, and commanded by a
+man of whose character he was entirely ignorant.  I expressed
+gratitude to my kinsman for his goodness, notwithstanding I had
+secret misgivings in regard to his disinterestedness, and signed
+with alacrity "the articles" with Captain Turner.  A new and
+interesting scene in the drama of life was about to open, and I
+looked forward with impatience to the rising of the curtain.
+
+The brig was laden with a cargo of lumber, rice, and provisions,
+and her destination was Cayenne, on the coast of Guiana.  In
+January, 1810, we left the wharf in Charleston, and proceeded
+down the harbor.  The wind was light, but the tide ebbed with
+unusual velocity, sweeping us rapidly on our way.  We had nearly
+reached the bar when it suddenly became calm.  The brig lost
+steerage way, and the current was setting towards the shoals.
+The pilot, aware of the danger, called out, "Let go the anchor!"
+
+The order was promptly obeyed, and the small bower anchor was let
+go.  The tide was so strong that when a sufficient quantity of
+cable was run out, the attempt to "check her," and to "bring up,"
+resulted in capsizing the windlass, and causing, for a few
+minutes, a sense of indescribable confusion.  The windlass, by
+its violent and spasmodic motion, knocked over two of the sailors
+who foolishly endeavored to regain control of its actions, and
+the cable, having commenced running out of the hawse-hold, would
+not be "snubbed," but obstinately persisted in continuing its
+course in spite of the desperate exertions of the captain, mate,
+pilot, and a portion of the crew, who clung to it as if it was
+their last hope.  But their efforts were vain.  Its impetuosity
+could not in this way be checked; and as the end of the cable by
+some strange neglect, had not been clinched around the mast, the
+last coil followed the example of "its illustrious predecessors,"
+and disappeared through the hawse-hole, after having, by an
+unexpected whisk, upset the mate, and given the captain a rap
+across the shins, which lamed him for a week.
+
+The "best bower" anchor was now let go, and the end hastily
+secured around the foremast, which fortunately "brought up" the
+brig "all standing," within half a cable's length of the shoal.
+No buoy having been attached to the small bower anchor, the
+anchor and cable were lost forever.
+
+This accident, of course, prevented us from proceeding
+immediately to sea; and the wind having changed, the anchor was
+weighed at the flood tide, and the brig removed to a safer
+anchorage.   Night came on, and as the brig was riding in a
+roadstead, at single anchor, in a tempestuous season, it was
+necessary to set an anchor watch.  It fell to my lot to have the
+first watch; that is, to keep a look out after the wind, weather,
+and condition of the vessel, and report any occurrence of
+importance between the hours of eight and ten in the evening.
+The crew, fatigued with the labors of the day, took possession of
+their berths at an early hour, the mate and the captain also
+disappeared from the deck, after having instructed me in my
+duties, and cautioned me against falling asleep in my watch.
+
+I was thus intrusted with a responsible charge, and realized the
+importance of the trust.  I walked fore-and-aft the deck, with a
+step and a swagger that would have become a Port Admiral in the
+British navy.  I felt that I had gained one important step; and,
+bound on a pleasant voyage, with kind and indulgent officers, had
+every thing pleasant to expect in the future.  As Captain Turner
+would undoubtedly treat me with indulgence and overlook any
+shortcomings on my part, for the sake of his intimate friend,
+Captain Tilton, I determined, by my attention to duty, and my
+general conduct, to deserve the favors which I was sure I should
+receive.
+
+Communing thus with myself, and lost in the rosy vagaries of a
+vivid imagination, I unhappily for the moment forgot the objects
+for which I was stationed on deck.  I seated myself involuntarily
+on a spar, which was lashed alongside the long boat, and in a few
+minutes, without any intention or expectation of being otherwise
+than vigilant in the extreme, WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE LAND OF
+DREAMS!
+
+A check was suddenly put to my vagabond thoughts and flowery
+visions, and I was violently dragged back to the realities of
+life by a strong hand, which, seizing me roughly by the collar,
+jerked me to my feet!  At the same time, the voice of my kind
+friend and benefactor, Captain Turner, rung in my ears like a
+trumpet, as he exclaimed in a paroxysm of passion, "You little
+good-for-nothing rascal!  This is the way you keep watch!  Hey?
+Wake up, you lazy ragamuffin!  Rouse yourself!  And, suiting the
+action to the word, he gave me two or three severe shakes.  "Let
+me catch you sleeping in your watch again, and I'll send you to
+the cross-trees for four hours on a stretch.  I knew I had got a
+hard bargain when your uncle shoved you upon me, you sneaking,
+sanctimonious-looking imp of Satan!  But mind how you carry your
+helm, or you will have cause to curse the day when you shipped on
+board the Dolphin!"
+
+This was a damper, with a vengeance, to my aspirations and hopes.
+The ladder on which I was about to ascend to fame and fortune was
+unfeelingly knocked away, and I was laid prostrate   flat on my
+back   almost before I began to mount!  I was deceived in Captain
+Turner; and what was of greater consequence to me, my self-
+confidence was terribly shaken   I was deceived in myself.  My
+shipmates, nevertheless, sympathized with me in my abasement;
+gave me words of encouragement; bade me be of good cheer; keep a
+stiff upper lip; look out sharper for squalls in the future, and
+I should yet "weather the cape."
+
+An awkward accident happened to me the following day, which
+tended still further to diminish the self-confidence I had so
+recently cherished.  The small boat had returned about sunset
+from a mission to the city, and as I formed one of the boat's
+crew, the mate ordered me to drop the boat astern, and hook on
+the tackles that it might be hoisted to the davits.  But the tide
+running furiously, the boat when under the quarter took a sudden
+sheer.  I lost my hold on the brig, and found myself adrift.
+
+I shouted lustily for help, but no help could be afforded; the
+long-boat being snugly stowed amidships, and the tide sweeping me
+towards the bar at the rate of several knots an hour.  Sculling
+was a manoeuvre of which I had heard, and seen practised, but had
+never practised myself.  I therefore took one of the oars and
+made a desperate attempt to PADDLE towards the brig.  The attempt
+was unsuccessful; the distance between the brig and the boat was
+rapidly increasing, darkness was coming on, a strong breeze was
+springing up, and I was in a fair way to be drifted among the
+breakers, or swept out to sea over the bar!
+
+It happened, fortunately, for me, that a large brig was riding at
+anchor within a short distance of the Dolphin.  This was the very
+slaver whose captain was so mysteriously assassinated.  The mate
+of the brig was looking around the harbor at the time; he espied
+my misfortune, and forthwith despatched a boat, pulled by four
+men, to my assistance.  They took me in tow, and, after an hour
+of hard work, succeeded in towing the boat and myself safely
+alongside the brig.
+
+I was soundly rated by the mate for my carelessness in allowing
+the boat to get adrift, and my shipmates were unsparing in their
+reproaches for my ignorance of the important art of sculling.  I
+was completely crest-fallen; but during the few remaining days we
+remained in port I applied myself with zeal to gain a practical
+knowledge of the art, and could soon propel a boat through the
+water with a single oar over the stern, with as much dexterity as
+the most accomplished sailor.
+
+A new cable an anchor were brought on board, the wind became
+favorable, and the rig Dolphin proceeded to sea, bound NOMINALLY
+for Cayenne.  I carried with me, engraven on my memory in
+characters which have never been effaced, THE ART OR SCULLING A
+BOAT, and the admonition "NEVER FALL ASLEEP IN YOUR WATCH!"
+
+
+Chapter VII
+DELIBERATE ROGUERY
+
+After we reached the blue water, and the wind began to blow and
+the sea to rise, the old brig, with corresponding motion, tossed
+and wallowed about as if for a wager.  Although while in port her
+bottom had been calked and graved, the leak, which gave so much
+trouble the previous voyage, had not been stopped.  In a fresh
+breeze and a head sea the seams would open, and a good "spell at
+the pump," every twenty minutes at least, was required to keep
+her free.
+
+The captain grumbled and swore like a pirate; but this had no
+perceptible effect in stopping the leak.  On the contrary, the
+more he raved, denouncing the brig as a humbug, and the man who
+sold her to him as a knave and a swindler, the more the brig
+leaked.  And what was remarkable, after the first ten days, the
+brig leaked as much in a light breeze and a smooth sea as in
+rough weather.  It was necessary to keep one pump in action the
+whole time.  But when the men, wearied by their unremitting
+exertions, talked of abandoning the vessel to her fate, and
+taking refuge in the first vessel they might fall in with, the
+leak seemed suddenly to diminish, until the bottom of the old
+craft was comparatively tight!
+
+All this was inexplicable to me, and the mystery caused much
+philosophical discussion and sage remark among the ship's
+company.  As we were in a part of the ocean which abounded in
+flying fish, it was the general opinion that the stoppage of the
+leak was caused by the involuntary action of a flying fish!  The
+theory was, that an unfortunate fish, swimming beneath the bottom
+of the vessel, in the neighborhood of the crevice through which
+the water rushed, unsuspicious of danger, was suddenly "sucked
+in," and plugged up the hole until it was drawn through or
+removed by decomposition!
+
+One day the cook, a negro not remarkable for quickness of
+apprehension or general intelligence, received such an unmerciful
+beating from the captain that he was unable to attend to his
+manifold duties, and a portion of them fell to my share.  Among
+them was the task of drawing off the regular allowance of rum,
+half a pint to each man, and serving it out to the crew.  The rum
+was in the after part of the vessel, beneath the cabin, a place
+designated as "the run." It was approached by a scuttle in the
+cabin floor, and of course could not be explored by any of the
+crew without the especial permission of the captain or mate.  I
+entered the dark hole, aided by the glimmering light of a
+lantern, groped my way to the barrel which contained the liquid
+so highly prized by the sons of Neptune as the liquor of life,
+the pure AQUA VITAE,   and filled my can with the precious fluid.
+
+When I inserted the spigot I still heard a gurgling sound, as of
+the rush of water through a narrow passage.  I listened, and
+examined further, and became convinced I had discovered the leak.
+I hastily emerged from "the run," and passed up on deck.  The
+captain was taking a meridian observation of the sun, when, with
+a radiant countenance and glistening eye, my whole frame
+trembling with joy and anticipated triumph, I communicated the
+important information that I had discovered the leak; it was in
+the run, could be easily reached, and with a little ingenuity and
+labor stopped.
+
+Instead of rewarding me for my intelligence and zeal with a smile
+of approbation and a word of encouragement, the captain gave me a
+look which petrified me for a time, and would have killed me on
+the spot if looks could kill in those degenerate days.  Seizing
+me roughly by the shoulder, he addressed me in a hissing, hoarse
+voice, yet so low that his words, although terribly intelligible
+to me, could be distinctly heard by no other person:    "Mind
+your own business, my lad, and let the leaks take care of
+themselves!  Go about your work; and if you whisper a syllable of
+what you have told me to any other person, I WILL THROW YOU
+OVERBOARD, you officious, intermeddling little vagabond!"  And he
+indorsed his fearful threat by an oath too impious to be
+transcribed.
+
+This unexpected rebuke, coupled with the fact that I had seen in
+"the run" the large screw auger which had been missing from the
+tool-chest for more than a week, furnished a key to unlock the
+mysteries connected with the leak.  The captain, for some purpose
+which he did not choose to reveal, with the connivance and aid of
+the mate, had bored holes through the bottom of the brig, and
+could let in the water at his pleasure!
+
+A few days after this interesting incident which threw a new
+light on the character of the man to whose charge I had been
+intrusted, we reached the latitude of Martinico.  As the brig now
+leaked more than ever, and the men, one and all, were worn out
+with continued pumping, the captain proclaimed to the crew that
+in consequence of the leaky condition of the brig, he did not
+consider it safe to proceed further on the voyage to Cayenne, and
+had determined to make the first port.
+
+This determination met the approbation of all hands, without a
+dissenting voice.  The yards were squared, the helm was put up,
+the course was given "due west," and with a cracking trade wind,
+away we bowled off before it for the Island of Martinico.
+
+Captain Turner, although not remarkable for the strictness of his
+principles, was a shrewd and intelligent man.  On shore he had
+the semblance of a gentleman.  On shipboard he was a good sailor
+and a skilful navigator.  If to his energy, talents, and
+intelligence had been added a moderate share of honesty, he would
+probably have been successful in his struggle for wealth, and
+might have attained respectability.  I have often had occasion to
+note that "a rogue in grain" finds it more difficult to achieve
+success in life than an honest man.  Shakespeare, the great
+exponent of human nature, makes the unscrupulous Cardinal Wolsey
+say, when crushed by the hand of royalty, deserted by his
+friends, and a prey to disgrace and ignominy,
+
+"Had I but served my God with half the zeal
+I served my king, he would not in mine age
+Have left me naked to mine enemies."
+
+On the morning after this change in our course, the high land of
+Martinico was seen in the distance; and in the afternoon, before
+the sun had reached the horizon, we were snugly anchored in the
+roadstead of St. Pierre.  This port, at the bottom of a wide bay,
+with good anchorage close to the beach, is open to the sea.  But
+being on the lee of the island, it is protected from the trade
+winds, which, with rare exceptions, blow throughout the year.
+From a westerly tempest there is no protection, and a hurricane
+always carries destruction among the shipping.
+
+The reason why the brig was made to spring a leak was now
+evident.  Captain Turner never intended to go to Cayenne, but
+wished to be justified in the eye of the law in proceeding to
+what he considered a better market.  The non-intercourse act
+being in operation, American vessels were prohibited from
+entering an English or a French port, EXCEPTING IN CASES OF
+DISTRESS.  It was therefore determined that the Dolphin should
+spring a leak, and SEEM in danger of foundering, in order to
+furnish a pretext for entering the harbor of St. Pierre!
+
+Captain Turner expected to find no American vessels in port, and
+of course no American produce.  He calculated to realize a high
+price for his cargo, and was surprised and disappointed to
+ascertain that other Yankees were as shrewd and unscrupulous as
+himself.  The anchorage was thickly sprinkled with American
+vessels, and the market was overstocked with American produce.
+These vessels had been driven into St. Pierre by "stress of
+weather" or "dangerous leaks," and their commanders cherished as
+little respect for the revenue laws, or any other mandates of the
+United States government, as Captain Turner.  A protest,
+carefully worded, and signed and sworn to by the mate and two
+seamen, and a survey of the vessel made by persons JUDICIOUSLY
+selected, acted as a protecting shield against any subsequent
+troublesome interference on the part of the American authorities.
+
+The wisdom of the "Long Embargo," and the "Non-intercourse Act"
+is greatly doubted by the statesmen of the present day.  Besides
+crippling our own resources, and paralyzing the whole commercial
+interest of the United States, a craven spirit was thus
+manifested on the part of our rulers, which exposed us to insults
+and outrages from the belligerent powers.  And if the policy of
+these extraordinary measures can be defended, it must be admitted
+that they were the direct cause of more roguery than would
+compensate for an immense amount of good.
+
+Having arrived at Martinico in distress, we were precluded from
+proceeding to any other port in search of a better market.  The
+cargo was sold at prices that would hardly pay the expenses of
+the voyage.  In delivering the lumber, however, an opportunity
+offered in making up in QUANTITY the deficiency in price, of
+which our honest captain, following the example, I regret to say,
+of many of the West India captains OF THOSE DAYS, eagerly availed
+himself.
+
+The lumber was taken to the shore on large rafts, and hauled up
+on the beach by men belonging to the brig.  The mark on every
+separate board or plank was called out in a clear voice by the
+man who dragged it from the raft to the beach, and was noted down
+by the mate of the brig and a clerk of the mercantile house that
+purchased the lumber.  Those parties were comfortably seated
+beneath the shade of a tamarind tree, at some distance, smoking
+cigars and pleasantly conversing.  They compared notes from time
+to time, and there was no difference in their accounts.  Every
+thing on our part was apparently conducted on the strictest
+principles of honesty.  But each sailor having received a hint
+from the mate, who had been posted by the captain, and a promise
+of other indulgences, often added from fifteen to twenty per
+cent, to the mark which had been actually scored by the surveyor
+on every board or plank.  Thus, if a board was MARKED twelve
+feet, the amount given was fifteen feet; a board that measured
+only eighteen or twenty feet, would be represented as twenty-
+five; and sometimes a large, portly-looking board, measuring
+thirty or thirty-five feet, not only received an addition of
+eight or ten feet, but was suddenly transformed into a PLANK,
+which was counted as containing DOUBLE the measurement of a board
+of the same superficial dimensions.  Thus a board actually
+measuring only thirty feet was passed off upon the
+unsophisticated clerk of the purchaser as a piece of lumber
+measuring seventy feet.  In this way Captain Turner managed, in
+what he contended was the usual and proper manner among the
+Yankees, to make a cargo of lumber "hold out!"  Another attempt
+which this gentleman made to realize a profit on merchandise
+greater than could be obtained by a system of fair trading was
+not attended with so favorable a result.
+
+A portion of the cargo of the Dolphin consisted of barrels of
+salted provisions.  This part of the cargo was not enumerated
+among the articles in the manifest.  Captain Turner intended to
+dispose of it to the shipping in the harbor, and thus avoid the
+payment of the regular duties.  He accordingly sold some ten or a
+dozen barrels of beef and pork, at a high price, to the captain
+of an English ship.  The transaction, by some unknown means, was
+discovered by the government officials, who, in a very grave and
+imposing manner, visited the brig with a formidable posse.  They
+found in the hold a considerable quantity of the salted
+provisions on which no duty had been paid; this they conveyed on
+shore and confiscated to the use of His Majesty the King of Great
+Britain.  The brig also was seized, but was subsequently released
+on payment of a heavy fine.
+
+The merchant vessels lying in St. Pierre are generally moored
+head and stern, one of the anchors being carried ashore, and
+embedded in the ground on the beach.  A few days after we were
+thus moored, a large Spanish schooner from the Main hauled in and
+moored alongside, at the distance of only a few fathoms.  Besides
+the captain, there were several well-dressed personages on board,
+who appeared to take an interest in the cargo, and lived in the
+cabin.  But harmony did not characterize their intercourse with
+each other.  At times violent altercations occurred, which, being
+carried on in the Spanish language, were to us neither edifying
+nor amusing.
+
+One Sunday morning, after the Spanish schooner had been about a
+week in port, and was nearly ready for sea, a fierce quarrel took
+place on the quarter-deck of the vessel, which, being attended
+with loud language, menacing looks, and frantic gesticulations,
+attracted the attention of all who were within sight or hearing.
+
+Two of the Spaniards, large, good-looking men, were apparently
+very bitter in their denunciations of each other.  They suddenly
+threw off their coats, which they wrapped around the left arm,
+and each grasping a long Spanish knife,   the original of the
+murderous "bowie-knife," -- attacked each other with a ferocity
+terrible to behold.  Every muscle seemed trembling and convulsed
+with passion, their eyes flashed with desperation, and their
+muscles seemed endued with superhuman power, as they pushed upon
+each other.
+
+Many furious passes were made, and dexterously parried by the
+left arm, which was used as a buckler in which to receive the
+thrusts.  At length one of the combatants received a wound in the
+chest, and his shirt bosom was instantly stained with blood.
+This served only to rouse him to more desperate exertions if
+possible; and, like two enraged tigers, these men no longer
+thought of defending themselves, but were bent only on assailing
+each other.
+
+Such a combat could not last long.  One of the Spaniards sank to
+the deck, covered with wounds and exhausted with blood, while the
+victor, who, from the gory condition of his linen, his pallid
+cheeks, and staggering steps seemed in little better plight, was
+assisted into the cabin by his companions.
+
+Duels of a similar character, fought on the spot with knives, the
+left arm protected with a garment used as a shield, were by no
+means unfrequent among the Spaniards in the New World, and the
+barbarous custom is not yet obsolete.
+
+The vessel, on whose decks this horrible scene of butchery was
+enacted, left the harbor on the following day, to the great
+gratification of her neighbors; and a rusty, ill-looking
+schooner, called the John, hauled from another part of the
+roadstead, and took the berth vacated by the Spaniards.  Like
+other American vessels that had been coquetting with the revenue
+laws, neither the name of the schooner nor the place to which she
+belonged was painted on her stern.  A close intimacy, intended
+doubtless for their mutual advantage, existed between Captain
+Turner and the master of the John.  The crews of the two vessels
+also became acquainted, and when the day's work was ended, often
+assembled on board one of the vessels, and indulged in singing,
+conversing, skylarking, or spinning yarns.
+
+Swimming was an agreeable and refreshing exercise, in which we
+often indulged, notwithstanding the harbor of St. Pierre was an
+open bay in a tropical climate; the very place which the shark
+would be likely to frequent.  It was said, however, that sharks
+were seldom seen in the bay, and NEVER among the shipping.  This
+statement was regarded as a sufficient assurance of safety; and
+although I retained a vivid recollection of the dreadful tragedy
+I had seen enacted a few months before in Demarara, with all the
+recklessness or a young sailor I hesitated not to indulge freely
+in this pleasant and healthy exercise in the harbor of St.
+Pierre.
+
+I was careful, however, to follow the advice of a veteran tar, to
+KEEP IN MOTION WHILE IN THE WATER.  The shark, unless very
+ferocious and hungry, will not attack a man while he is swimming,
+or performing other aquatic evolutions.  At such times he will
+remain quiet, close at hand, eyeing his intended victim with an
+eager and affectionate look; but the moment the unsuspecting
+swimmer throws himself on his back, begins to tread water, or
+discontinues the exercise of swimming preparatory to getting on
+board, this man-eating rascal will pounce on a leg or an arm,
+drag his victim beneath the surface, and accomplish the dreadful
+work.
+
+After the many unfavorable specimens of "old salts" I had met
+with, I was agreeably surprised to find that two of the crew of
+the John were educated men.  One of these was the son of a
+wealthy merchant of Boston, who lived in the style of a prince at
+the "North End."  This young sailor had been wild and dissipated,
+and had lost for a time the confidence of his relatives, and as a
+matter of course, WENT TO SEA.  He made a good sailor; and while
+I knew him in St. Pierre, and during the subsequent years of his
+life, his conduct was in every way correct.  His conversation was
+improving, and his chest was well stored with books, which he
+cheerfully loaned, and to which I was indebted for many happy
+hours.
+
+The other was an Irishman by birth, prematurely aged, of
+diminutive stature, and unprepossessing appearance.  He had been
+many years at sea; had witnessed perilous scenes; had fought for
+his life with the savages on board the Atahualpa on "the north-
+west coast"; had served in an English man-of-war, from which he
+escaped by swimming ashore, a distance of several miles, one
+night while cruising off the island of Antigua.  He reached the
+land completely exhausted   more dead than alive   and was
+concealed for a time among the slave habitations on one of the
+plantations.
+
+Little Jack, as he was familiarly called, was a type of the old
+sailor of those days, so far as his habits and general conduct
+was concerned.  He was reckless, bold, dissolute, generous, never
+desponding, ever ready for a drunken frolic or a fight, to do a
+good deed, plan a piece of mischief, or head a revolt.  He seemed
+to find enjoyment in every change which his strange destiny
+presented.  And this man, who seemed at home in a ship's
+forecastle, or when mingling with the lowest dregs of society,
+had been educated at Trinity College, Dublin.  He was well read
+in the classics, and familiar with the writings of the old
+British poets.  He could quote elaborate passages from the best
+authors, and converse fluently and learnedly on almost any
+subject.
+
+Notwithstanding his cultivated mind and intellectual powers,
+which should have placed him in a high position in society, he
+appeared satisfied with his condition, and aspired to no loftier
+sphere than that of a common sailor.  We often meet with
+anomalies in the human character, for which it would puzzle the
+most learned psychologist to account.  What strange and sad event
+had occurred in the early part of that man's career, to change
+the current of his fortune, and make him contented in a condition
+so humble, and a slave to habits so degrading?  His story, if
+faithfully told, might furnish a record of ambitious projects and
+sanguine expectations, followed by blighted hopes which palsied
+all succeeding exertions, and plunged him into the depths of
+dissipation and vice.
+
+Captain Turner and the worthy master of the John, the better to
+conceal their iniquities from the lynx-eyed satellites of the
+law, agreed to make an exchange of vessels, both having been
+officially condemned as unseaworthy.  For an equivalent, the
+schooner was to be laden with a cargo, principally of molasses,
+and properly furnished with stores, provisions, and water, for a
+passage to the United States by the way of St. Bartholomew.  The
+crews of the two vessels were then to be interchanged, and
+Captain Turner his mate and crew, were to take up their quarters
+in the John.
+
+The arrangement was carried into effect; but two of the Dolphin's
+crew, dissatisfied with the proceedings on board the brig, and
+thinking matters would not be improved by a transfer to the
+schooner, and being under no obligation to follow Captain Turner
+to another vessel, demanded their discharge.  In their stead he
+shipped a boy, about fourteen years of age, whom he had persuaded
+to run away from an English merchant ship, in which he was an
+apprentice, and an old Frenchman, who had served many years in
+the carpenter's gang in a French man-of-war, and who understood
+hardly a word of the English language.
+
+We sailed from St. Pierre the day after we had taken possession
+of the schooner, bound directly for St. Bartholomew.
+
+
+Chapter VIII
+THE WINDWARD ISLANDS
+
+It is well known that one of the principal reasons for the
+declaration of war against Great Britain in 1812, were the
+insults heaped on the American flag, in every sea, by the navy of
+Great Britain.  The British government claimed and exercised THE
+RIGHT to board our ships, impress their crews when not natives of
+the United States, examine their cargoes, and subject our
+citizens navigating the high seas, to inconvenience, detention,
+and conduct often of an annoying and insulting character.  The
+British government contended that the flag which waved over the
+decks of our ships should be no protection to our ships or
+seamen.  For years our merchant vessels were compelled to submit
+to such degrading insults from the navy of Great Britain.
+
+The mode of exercising this "right of search," so far as relates
+to the impressment of seamen, I have already had occasion to
+illustrate, and the incident which I now relate will explain with
+tolerable clearness the mode in which the British exercised this
+right in relation to property.
+
+Previously to the war with Great Britain, a profitable trade was
+carried on between the United States and the English West India
+Islands.  The exports from the islands were limited chiefly to
+molasses and rum; sugar and coffee being prohibited in American
+bottoms.  According to the British interpretation of the "right
+to search," every American vessel which had taken in a cargo in a
+British, or any other port, was liable to be searched, from the
+truck to the keelson, by any British cruiser when met with on the
+high seas.  And this inquisitorial process was submitted to as a
+matter of course, though not without murmurs loud and deep, from
+those who were immediately exposed to the inconveniences
+attending this arbitrary exercise of power.
+
+On the afternoon succeeding the day on which the schooner John
+left Martinico, as we were quietly sailing along with a light
+breeze, under the lee of the mountainous Island of Gaudaloupe, we
+saw a large ship at anchor on a bank about a mile from the land,
+with the British ensign at her peak, and a pennant streaming from
+her mast-head,   sufficient indications that we had fallen in
+with one of John Bull's cruisers.  But Captain Turner, conscious
+that his schooner was an American vessel, and had been regularly
+cleared at St. Pierre, with a cargo of rum and molasses, and
+there being no suspicious circumstances connected with her
+appearance, her cargo, or her papers, apprehended no detention or
+trouble from the British man-of-war.
+
+A boat was soon seen to put off from the frigate, and it was not
+long before it was alongside the John.  An officer stepped on
+deck, and politely asked the privilege of examining the ship's
+papers.  This was accorded.  After having ascertained we were
+from a British port, the officer coolly remarked it would be
+necessary to take the schooner nearer the land and bring her to
+anchor, in order to institute a thorough search into the true
+character of the cargo.  He added that the frigate was stationed
+there for the express purpose of intercepting and overhauling
+such Yankee vessels as might pass along.
+
+A signal was made to the frigate, and two additional boats were
+despatched, which took our small vessel in tow, and in less than
+an hour we found ourselves at anchor, in thirty fathoms of water,
+within half musket shot of an English man-of-war.  The launch was
+soon alongside, the hatchways were taken off, tackles were rove,
+and a gang of the frigate's crew went to work breaking out the
+cargo and hoisting it into the launch.  After the launch and
+other boats were laden, they hoisted the casks on deck, and
+continued the operations in no gentle manner until they reached
+the ground tier.  They thus examined every cask, but found
+nothing but molasses and rum.
+
+They then commenced "stowing the cargo," as they called it; and
+the hogsheads of molasses were tossed into the hold, and handled
+as roughly as hogsheads of tobacco.  It was about sunset on the
+following day when the last cask was stowed.  The anchor was then
+weighed, the sails set, and the lieutenant, having put into the
+hands of the captain a certificate from the commander of the
+frigate that the schooner had been searched, for the purpose of
+preventing a repetition of that agreeable ceremony, told him he
+was at liberty to go where he thought proper, and politely wished
+him a pleasant voyage.
+
+Our vessel was thus detained twenty-four hours; and in
+consequence of this detention, the passage to St. Bartholomew was
+lengthened several days, as a calm commenced soon after we were
+liberated, which lasted that time.  The cargo also received
+injury from the rough handling of the British tars, insomuch that
+before we reached St. Bartholomew, several casks had lost nearly
+all their contents; and if we had been bound directly to the
+United States, it is probable that a considerable portion of the
+cargo would have been pumped out with the bilge water.
+
+This is only one of a thousand cases which might be cited to show
+the PRINCIPLE on which the British acted towards neutral powers
+on the broad ocean, as well as in the British waters, at that
+time.  The British government, since the war of 1812, have
+attempted by negotiations to reestablish this principle.  But the
+attempt has been firmly and successfully resisted; and it may be
+safely predicted that this "right" will never again be claimed by
+Great Britain, or conceded by the United States.
+
+Our government, which is a government of the people, and
+supported mainly by commerce, cannot be too vigilant and firm in
+its endeavors to protect the persons and property of our citizens
+on the ocean against the oppression or outrages of any naval
+power.  Let us, as an honorable, high-minded nation, cordially
+cooperate with any other nation in attempts to check and destroy
+the traffic in slaves, so revolting in its character, which is
+carried on between Africa and places on this continent.  Let us
+be a party to any honorable treaty having this for its object;
+but let us never listen to the idea that the American flag,
+waving at the peak or masthead of an American vessel, is no
+protection to the property on board, or the liberties of the
+passengers and crew.
+
+Captain Turner promptly availed himself of the permission so
+graciously given by the commander of the British cruiser, and we
+proceeded on our way to St. Bartholomew.  There is probably no
+sailing in the world more pleasant and interesting than among the
+group of beautiful islands reaching from Trinidad to St.
+Bartholomew.  With a smooth sea and a gentle, refreshing trade
+wind, as the vessel glides past these emerald gems of the ocean,
+a picturesque and ever-varying landscape is produced, as if by
+the wand of some powerful enchanter.  Grenada, the Grenadines,
+St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Martinico, Dominica, Guadaloupe,
+Montserrat, Saba, St. Kitts, Nevis, and St. Bartholomew, all seem
+to pass in swift succession before the eye of the observer.
+
+These islands are all, with the exception of St. Bartholomew,
+more or less cultivated, but being mountainous and of volcanic
+origin, the productive lands lie on the base of the mountains, or
+on the spacious intervals and valleys near the sea shore.
+Studded with plantations, each of which resembles a little
+village planned by some skilful landscape gardener; with crystal
+streams dashing down the mountain sides; with dense forests
+covering the high lands and mountain summits; with bays and
+indentations along the coast, each with a thriving village at the
+extremity, defended by fortifications; with ships at anchor in
+the roadsteads, and droghers coasting along the shores; with an
+atmosphere richly laden with sweets, and all the interesting
+associations connected with a tropical climate; these islands
+furnish an array of attractions which are hardly surpassed in the
+Western Hemisphere.  The beautiful description in the song of
+Mignon, in the "Wilhelm Meister" of Goethe, of a land of fruits
+and flowers, will apply with singular felicity to these Windward
+Islands:
+
+"Know'st thou the land where the pale citron grows,
+And the gold orange through dark foliage glows?
+A soft wind flutters from the deep blue sky,
+The myrtle blooms, and towers the laurel high.
+Know'st thou it well?"
+
+I have sometimes wondered why the capitalists of New England, in
+search of recreation and pleasure for themselves and families
+instead of crossing the Atlantic to visit the oft-described and
+stale wonders of the Old World, do not charter a yacht or a
+packet schooner, and with a goodly company take a trip to the
+West Indies, sail around and among these islands, visit places of
+interest, accept the hospitality of the planters, which is always
+freely bestowed, and thus secure a fund of rational enjoyment,
+gratify a laudable curiosity in relation to the manners and
+habits of the people of the torrid zone, and bring away a
+multitude of agreeable impressions on their minds, which will
+keep vivid and fresh the remainder of their lives.
+
+After leaving Martinico, we found, on broaching our provisions,
+that they were of bad quality,   of the worst possible
+description.  The bread, deposited in bags, was of a dark color,
+coarse texture, and French manufacture.  It must have been of an
+inferior kind when new and fresh, and a long tarry in a tropical
+climate was not calculated to improve its character.  Besides
+being mouldy, it was dotted with insects, of an unsightly
+appearance and unsavory flavor.  The quality of the beef was, if
+possible, worse than that of the bread, and we had no other kinds
+of provisions.  Before we arrived at St. Bartholomew the water
+began to give signs of impurity.  The casks, stowed in the half-
+deck, had been filled through a molasses hose.  In all
+likelihood, the hose had not been cleansed, and the saccharine
+property of the molasses mingling with the water in that hot
+climate had caused a fermentation, the effect of which was
+nauseous to the taste and unpleasant to the eye.  We consoled
+ourselves, however, with the idea that the passage would be a
+short one,   only a few days,   and that better provisions would
+be furnished when we reached St. Bartholomew.
+
+The Island of St. Bartholomew is a mountainous rock, three or
+four miles in diameter, with here and there a few patches of
+verdure, but destitute of trees or cultivated lands.  The
+inhabitants are dependent on the neighboring islands, and
+importations from distant countries, for the means of sustaining
+life.  Even water for drinking and culinary purposes is brought
+from St. Martin, Nevis, or St. Kitts.  It has a snug harbor on
+the western side, easy of access, in which many vessels can lie
+safely moored, excepting in a hurricane.  Indeed, there is hardly
+a harbor in the Windward Islands, north of Grenada, where a
+vessel can be secure during the hurricane months.  These
+tempests, when blowing from any quarter, seem to defy all the
+efforts of man to withstand their violence; twist the ships from
+their anchors, force them on the reefs or drive them out to sea,
+sometimes without ballast or the fraction of a crew.
+
+It may appear singular that St. Bartholomew, with no productions
+whatever, and lying almost in the midst of the most fertile and
+productive of the Windward Islands, should nevertheless have been
+a place of great trade, and at certain times the most important
+depot for merchandise in those islands.  St. Bartholomew has
+belonged to Sweden during the whole of the present century; and
+Sweden having been occasionally exempted form the wars waged
+against each other by England and France, this island, of no
+intrinsic value in itself, became a sort of neutral ground; a
+port where all nations could meet on friendly terms; where
+traders belonging to England, France, the United States, or other
+powers, could deposit or sell their goods, purchase West India
+produce, and transact business of any description.
+
+At the time to which I refer,   in 1810,   the "Orders in
+Council" of England, and the "Berlin and Milan Decrees" of
+Napoleon, were in force.  As a counteracting stroke of policy,
+the Non-intercourse Act, to which I have already alluded, was
+passed by our government, and the neutral port of St. Bartholomew
+suddenly became a place of immense importance.  When we entered
+the harbor in the John, it was with difficulty that a berth could
+be found; at least two hundred and fifty vessels, a large portion
+of which were Americans, were in port, discharging or taking in
+cargo.  Captain Turner found no trouble in selling his molasses.
+He dared not run the risk of taking it to the United States, lest
+his roguery should be discovered through some flaw in his papers,
+and his vessel and cargo seized by revenue officers.  He retained
+only a few casks of rum, sufficient to pay port charges, and
+prepared to sail for a southern port.
+
+Shortly before we arrived at St. Bartholomew, a ship belonging to
+Connecticut, in consequence of some irregularity in her
+proceedings, was seized by the authorities and taken possession
+of by a guard of ten or a dozen soldiers.  The ship was about
+ready for sea when this event took place; and on the following
+day, according to a preconcerted plan between the captain and Mr.
+Arnold, the supercargo, the officers and crew rose upon the
+soldiers, deprived them of their arms, and forced them below.
+Then they quietly slipped the cables, and let the ship drift
+gradually out of the harbor, until past the shipping, when every
+sail was instantly spread, as if by magic, and before the
+mystified garrison of the fort could understand the curious
+manoeuver, realize the audacity of the Yankees, and get ready
+their guns, the ship was beyond the reach of their shot.  In the
+offing the ship fell in with one of the large boats trading
+between St. Bartholomew and St. Martin, and put the soldiers on
+board, who were thus promptly returned to their barracks.
+
+The Swedish authorities were justly indignant at such high-handed
+proceedings.  Arnold remained behind to transact some unfinished
+business, but was arrested and thrown into prison, where he
+remained several weeks.  Seeing no prospect of being released, he
+feigned insanity, and acted the madman to the life; insomuch that
+the authorities were glad to discharge him on condition that his
+friends would send him from the island.
+
+During the year 1809, a French privateer, called the Superior, a
+large schooner of the "Baltimore pilot boat" model, was the
+terror of the British in the Caribbean seas.  The pilot boats
+built at Baltimore, to cruise off the mouth of the Chesapeake,
+have ever been celebrated for their sailing qualities, especially
+their ability to beat to windward; and vessels of larger size
+than the pilot boats, reaching to the capacity of three hundred
+tons, but built according to this peculiar Baltimore model, were
+for many years acknowledged the swiftest class of sailing vessels
+in any country at any period.  At what particular time this model
+was introduced, it may be difficult to ascertain; but as early as
+the period to which I refer, the term "Baltimore clipper" was a
+familiar term.  Numbers of them were sold to individuals residing
+in ports belonging to the belligerent powers, and commissioned as
+privateers; others were purchased for slavers; and during the
+wars carried on by Spain and Portugal with their provinces in
+South America, the "Baltimore clippers" made a conspicuous
+figure,   being fitted out as privateers and manned in the ports
+of a nation which held out to them the olive branch of peace.
+
+The privateer Superior was commanded by a brave and energetic
+Frenchman, who took a singular pleasure in inflicting injuries on
+British commerce.  This privateer, fitted out at Port Royal in
+Martinico, was said to have been the fastest vessel every known
+among the islands, and her commander laughed to scorn the
+attempts made to capture him by the finest vessels in the English
+navy.  Indeed, the Superior seemed to be ubiquitous.  One day she
+would be seen hovering off the island of Antigua, and after
+pouncing on an unfortunate English ship, would take out the
+valuables and specie, if there were any on board, transfer the
+officers and crew to a drogher bound into the harbor, and then
+scuttle the vessel.  On the day following, a ship would be seen
+on fire off Montserrat or St. Kitts, which would prove to have
+been an English merchantman captured and destroyed by the
+Superior; and perhaps, a few days afterwards, this privateer
+would be pursuing a similar career on the shores of Barbadoes,
+far to windward, or levying contributions from the planters on
+the coasts of Grenada or Trinidad.
+
+Indeed, the sailing qualities of this privateer were a marvel to
+all "old salts"; and many an honest man who had never heard of a
+"Baltimore pilot boat built" craft, was sorely puzzled to account
+for the success of the Superior in avoiding the many traps that
+had been set by the long-headed officers of the British ships on
+that station.  By many it was believed that the French captain
+had unlawful dealings with the enemy of mankind, and for the
+pleasure of annoying the English, and the gratification of
+filling his pockets with the spoils of the enemies of France, had
+signed away his soul!
+
+The company of men-of-war seemed to be no protection against
+capture by this privateer.  A fleet of merchantmen, convoyed by
+several armed ships, would be intruded on during the night, and
+one or more of them captured without alarm, and then rifled, and
+scuttled or burned.  On one occasion, after combined efforts had
+been made to capture the Superior, and it was believed that
+vessel had been driven from those seas, a homeward bound fleet of
+merchantmen, on the first night after leaving Antigua, was
+approached by this privateer, and in the course of a couple of
+hours three different ships, in different stations of the
+squadron, had been captured, plundered, and fired by that
+indefatigable enemy of the English.
+
+At last, one after another, every French port in the islands was
+taken by the British, and there was no longer a nook belonging to
+France to which this privateer could resort for protection,
+supplies, or repairs, It was furthermore rumored that this vessel
+was not regularly commissioned; and that, if captured by an
+enemy, the officers and crew to a man, and the captain more
+especially, would be hanged at the yard arm, AS PIRATES, without
+any very formal process of law.
+
+The privateer was by this time well laden with spoils, having on
+board, in silks, specie, gums, and bullion, property to the
+amount of nearly a million of dollars.  One fine morning, a
+British sloop-of-war, cruising between Nevis and St. Bartholomew,
+was astonished at beholding the Superior,   that "rascally French
+Privateer," as well known in those seas as the Flying Dutchman
+off the Cape of Good Hope,   come down from the windward side of
+St. Bartholomew under easy sail, pass round the southern point of
+the island, hoist the tri-colored flag, as if by way of derision,
+and boldly enter the harbor belonging to the Swedish government,
+and a neutral port.
+
+It was not many hours before the sloop-of-war, having hauled her
+wind, was off the harbor, lying off and on; and the captain, in
+full uniform, his mouth filled with menaces and denunciations of
+British vengeance, and his cranium well crammed with quotations
+from Vattel, Grotius, Puffendorf, and other venerable worthies,
+was on his way to the shore in a state of great excitement.  When
+he reached the landing, he found only the HULL of the privateer,
+with the spars and rigging.  The officers and crew had already
+disappeared, each carrying off his portion of the spoils.  The
+captain was not visible; but it was said he left the island a few
+days afterwards for the United States, under an assumed name,
+whence he subsequently proceeded to France, with an immense
+amount of property, which the fortune of war had transferred from
+British subjects to his pockets.  The schooner was hauled up to
+the head of the careenage, and on examination it appeared that
+every part of the vessel had been so strained by carrying sail,
+and so much damage had been done to her planks and timbers by
+worms, that she was good for nothing.  The spars, sails, and
+rigging were sold; but the hull, which soon filled with water,
+remained for years, admired by every genuine sailor as the most
+perfect model of a fast-sailing vessel that could be devised by
+the ingenuity of man.
+
+When the schooner John was nearly ready for sea, my uncle,
+Captain Tilton, whom I had left in Charleston, arrived in port in
+a clipper schooner called the Edwin.  He was bound for Mobile,
+where he intended establishing a mercantile house in connection
+with a gentleman named Waldron, a native of Portsmouth, who had
+resided several years in Charleston.  I had one brief interview
+with him, but no opportunity offered of entering into the details
+of my unenviable position on board the John.  On a hint from me
+that I was dissatisfied, and should not object to accompany him
+in the Edwin, he gravely shook his head, and remarked that such a
+course would be unusual and improper; that he was about to retire
+from the sea; that it would be best for me to stick by Captain
+Turner, in whom I should always find a friend, and perform the
+whole voyage I had undertaken.
+
+He left the port on the following day, bound for the Gulf of
+Mexico, and I never saw him again.  He encountered a "norther" on
+the coast of Cuba, and the Edwin struck on the Colorado Reef, and
+all on board perished!
+
+It was believed that Captain Turner, as a matter of course, would
+procure a sufficient quantity of good water, and some tolerable
+provisions for the forecastle hands, before we proceeded on our
+voyage. But our worthy captain, who was a great worshipper of the
+"almighty dollar," in whatever shape it appeared, had no
+intentions of the kind.  Water was scarce, and cost ten dollars a
+cask.  Beef and bread also cost money, and we left St.
+Bartholomew with only the wretched apology for provisions and
+water which were put on board in Martinico.
+
+Probably no American vessel ever left a port with such miserable
+provisions for a voyage.   Bread, beef, and water constituted our
+variety.  We had no rice, beans, Indian meal, fish, or any other
+of the numerous articles usually furnished by merchants for the
+sustenance of the sailors who navigate their ships; and SUCH
+beef, bread, and water as we were doomed to live upon for three
+successive weeks after we left St. Bartholomew, was surely never
+prescribed by the most rigid anchorite and exacting devotee as a
+punishment for the sins of a hardened transgressor.
+
+
+Chapter IX
+ARRIVAL AT SAVANNAH
+
+Captain Turner, on being urged to provide some palatable food and
+drink, declared with an oath that he did not select the
+provisions of fill the water; that this was done by others who
+knew what they were about; that every thing on board was good
+enough for us, and if we did not like it we might starve and BE
+HANGED!
+
+This was a clincher   it ended the argument.   There was nothing
+left for us but to put the best face, even if it should be a wry
+face, on troubles we could not overcome or diminish.
+
+In a choice of food there is a wide difference in taste.  One
+people will regard as a luxury a viand or condiment which is
+repugnant to another.  Locusts have been used from time
+immemorial for food by different tribes of Arabs.  Snail soup was
+once regarded in Europe as a delicious dish.  In the West Indies
+and South America the guano, a species of lizard, is devoured
+with gusto.  Bird's nests command enormous prices as an edible in
+China, where also dogs and cats are ordinary food.  At Rome
+camels' heels were a tidbit for an epicure.  Whale's tongues
+ranked among the delicacies feasted on by the Europeans in the
+middle centuries.  The bark of the palm tree is the abiding place
+of a large worm, which is sought for, roasted, and devoured as a
+delicacy.  In Brazil, a monkey pie is a favorite dish, and the
+head of the monkey is made to protrude and show its teeth above
+the crust by way of ornament.  Indeed, habit, we are told, will
+reconcile a person to unsavory diet.  But neither habit nor
+necessity could reconcile me to the food and drink which, to
+sustain life, I was compelled to swallow on board the John.
+
+The water, owing to causes to which I have already alluded, was
+exceedingly offensive to the palate and the olfactories.  It was
+also slimy and ropy; and was drank only as a means   and a
+wretched one   of prolonging life.  For the inmates of the cabin
+the water was boiled or diluted with brandy, which, in a slight
+degree, lessened its disgusting flavor.  But this was a luxury
+that was denied the seamen, who had to quaff it in all its
+richness.
+
+Our beef, in quality, was on a par with the water.  It was Irish
+beef, so called, wretchedly poor when packed; but having been
+stored in a hot climate, probably for years, it had lost what
+little excellence it once possessed, and acquired other qualities
+of which the packer never dreamed.   The effluvia arising from a
+barrel of this beef, when opened, was intolerable.  When boiled
+in clean salt water the strong flavor was somewhat modified, and
+it was reduced by shrinkage at least one half.  The palate could
+not become reconciled to it; and the longer we lived upon it the
+less we liked it.
+
+But our bread!  What shall I say of our bread?  I have already
+spoken of it as mouldy and ANIMATED.  On several occasions, in
+the course of my adventures, I have seen ship bread which could
+boast of those abominable attributes, remnants of former voyages
+put on board ships by unfeeling skinflints, to be "used up"
+before the new provisions were broached, but I never met with any
+which possessed those attributes to the extent which was the case
+on board the schooner John. Although many years have passed since
+I was supported and invigorated by that "staff of life," I cannot
+even now think of it without a shudder of disgust!  On placing a
+biscuit by my side when seated upon deck, it would actually be
+put in motion by some invisible machinery, and if thrown on the
+hot coals in order to destroy the living works within, and
+prevent the biscuit from walking off, it would make an angry
+sputtering wondrous to hear!
+
+Such was the character of our food and drink on our passage to
+the United States.  It initiated me, even at the beginning of my
+sea-going career, into the most repulsive mysteries of a seaman's
+life.  And whenever, in subsequent voyages, I have been put upon
+poor diet, I mentally contrasted it with the wretched fare during
+my second voyage to sea, smacked my lips, and called it luxury.
+
+Steering to the northward we passed near the Island of Sombrero,
+glided from the Caribbean Sea into the Atlantic Ocean, and wended
+our way towards the Carolinas.
+
+Sombrero is an uninhabited island, a few miles only in
+circumference.  It offers to the dashing waves on every side a
+steep, craggy cliff, from thirty to fifty feet high.  Its surface
+is flat, and entirely destitute of vegetation; and at a distance,
+a fanciful imagination can trace, in the outline of the island, a
+faint resemblance to the broad Spanish hat, called a "sombrero,"
+from which it takes its name.
+
+This island, as well as all the other uninhabited islands in that
+part of the world, has ever been a favorite resort for birds,
+as gulls of several varieties, noddies, man-of-war birds,
+pelicans, and others.  It has recently been ascertained that
+Sombrero is entitled to the proud appellation of "a guano
+island," and a company has been organized, consisting of persons
+belonging to New England, for the purpose of carrying off its
+rich deposits, which are of a peculiarly valuable character,
+being found beneath a bed of coral limestone several feet in
+thickness, and must consequently possess all the advantages which
+antiquity can confer.
+
+It was on this island, many years ago, that an English brig
+struck in a dark night, while "running down the trades."  The
+officers and crew, frightened at the dashing of the breakers and
+the gloomy aspect of the rocks which frowned upon them from
+above, made their escape on shore in "double quick time," some of
+them marvellously thinly clad, even for a warm climate.  As soon
+as they had safely landed on the cliffs, and congratulated each
+other on their good fortune, the brig, by a heave of the sea,
+became disengaged from the rocks, and floating off, drifted to
+leeward, to the great mortification of the crew, and was fallen
+in with a day or two afterwards, safe and sound, near Anegada
+Reef, and carried into St. Thomas.  The poor fellows, who
+manifested such alacrity in quitting "a sinking ship," suffered
+greatly from hunger and exposure.  They erected a sort of
+flagstaff, on which they displayed a jacket as a signal of
+distress, and in the course of a few days were taken off by an
+American vessel bound to Santa Cruz.
+
+The feeling which prompts a person, in the event of a sudden
+danger at sea, to quit his own vessel and look abroad for safety,
+appears to be instinctive.  In cases of collision, portions of
+the crews are sometimes suddenly exchanged; and a man will find
+himself, unconscious of, an effort, on board a strange vessel,
+then arouse himself, as if from an unquiet sleep, and return to
+his ship as rapidly as he left her.
+
+It sometimes happens that vessels, which have run into each other
+in the night time, separate under circumstances causing awkward
+results.  The ship Pactolus, of Boston, bound from Hamburg
+through the English channel, while running one night in a thick
+fog near the Goodwin Sands, fell in with several Dutch galliots,
+lying to, waiting for daylight, and while attempting to steer
+clear of one, ran foul of another, giving the Dutchman a terrible
+shaking and carrying away one of the masts.  The captain, a young
+man, was below, asleep in his berth, dreaming, it may be, of
+happy scenes in which a young and smiling "jung frow" formed a
+prominent object.  He rushed from his berth, believing his last
+hour was come, sprang upon deck, and seeing a ship alongside,
+made one leap into the chainwales of the strange vessel, and
+another one over the rail to the deck.  A moment afterwards the
+vessels separated; the galliot was lost sight of in the fog, and
+Mynheer was astonished to find himself, while clad in the airy
+costume of a shirt and drawers, safely and suddenly transferred
+from his comfortable little vessel to the deck of an American
+ship bound across the Atlantic.
+
+The poor fellow jabbered away, in his uncouth native language,
+until his new shipmates feared his jaws would split asunder.
+They furnished him with garments, entertained him hospitably, and
+on the following day landed him on the pier at Dover.
+
+We met with no extraordinary occurrences on our passage to the
+United States until we reached the Gulf Stream, noted for heavy
+squalls, thunder storms, and a turbulent sea, owing to the effect
+on the atmosphere produced by the difference of temperatures
+between the water in the current and the water on each side.
+
+The night on which we entered the Gulf Stream, off the coast of
+the Carolinas, the weather was exceedingly suspicious.  Dark,
+double-headed clouds hung around the horizon, and although the
+wind was light, a hurricane would not have taken us by surprise
+at any moment; and as the clouds rose slowly with a threatening
+aspect, no calculation could be made on which side the tempest
+would come.  The lightnings illumined the heavens, serving to
+render the gloom more conspicuous, and the deep-toned rumblings
+of the thunder were heard in the distance.
+
+At eight o'clock, when the watch was called, the schooner was put
+under short canvas, and due preparations were made for any change
+in the weather.  The starboard watch was then told to go below,
+but to "be ready for a call."  This watch, all told, consisted of
+the old French carpenter and myself, and we gladly descended into
+the narrow, leaky, steaming den, called the forecastle, reposing
+full confidence in the vigilance of our shipmates in the larboard
+watch, and knowing that if the ship should be dismasted, or even
+capsized, while we were quietly sleeping below, it would be
+through no fault of ours, and we could not be held responsible.
+In five minutes after the forescuttle was closed, we were snugly
+ensconced in our berths, oblivious of squalls and gales, and all
+the disagreeable duties of making and taking in sail on a wet and
+stormy night, enjoying a comfortable nap and dreaming of happy
+times on shore.
+
+We were soon aroused from our dreams, and brought back to the
+realities of life, by the rough voice of my old shipmate,
+Eastman, yelling out in tones which would have carried terror to
+the soul of an Indian warrior, "ALL HANDS AHOY!  Tumble up, lads!
+Bear a hand on deck!"  I jumped out of my berth, caught my jacket
+in one hand, and my tarpaulin in the other, and hastened on deck,
+closely followed by the carpenter, and also the cook, whose
+office being little better than a sinecure, he was called upon
+whenever help was wanted.  The wind was blowing a gale, and the
+rain was falling in heavy drops, and the schooner was running off
+to the southward at a tremendous rate, with the wind on the
+quarter.
+
+"There is a waterspout after us," exclaimed Captain Turner, as we
+made our appearance, and we must give it the slip, or be grabbed
+by Davy Jones.  Be alive for once!  If that fellow comes over us,
+he will capsize, perhaps sink us!  Stand by!"
+
+I looked astern, and saw, about a point on the larboard quarter,
+a black, misshapen body, which seemed to reach from the heavens
+down to the surface of the sea.  Although the night was dark as
+Erebus, this mass could easily be distinguished from the thick
+clouds which shut out the stars, and covered the whole surface of
+the sky.  It moved towards us with fearful rapidity, being much
+fleeter in the race than our little schooner.
+
+The captain, who, to do him justice, was not only a good sailor,
+but cool and resolute in the hour of danger, would fix his eye
+one moment on the waterspout, and the next on the compass, in
+order to ascertain the course which this unwelcome visitor was
+taking.  A minute had scarcely elapsed, during which every man
+breathed harder and quicker than he was wont to do, being in a
+state of agonizing suspense, when Captain turner decided on his
+plan of operations; and it was time, for the waterspout was but a
+few hundred yards off, and came rushing towards us like a
+ferocious monster intent on mischief.
+
+"Stand by to gibe!" cried the captain. "Hard a-port your helm!
+Look out for that foresheet."  As the schooner fell off and again
+came gradually to the wind, she shot across the hawse of the
+waterspout, which swept closely along under our stern, almost
+spattering the water in our very faces, and tearing and roaring
+like the cataract of Niagara!
+
+We watched its progress with thrilling interest, and when it got
+upon our quarter, and we were convinced it could not come on
+board, Captain Turner called out in exulting tones, "We have
+dodged it handsomely boys, and cheated Davy Jones of his prey
+this time.  Hurrah!"
+
+It is hardly necessary to say we all breathed easier as the
+waterspout sailed majestically away, and in a few minutes was out
+of sight.  This was one of those occurrences which might well
+shake the nerves of the most firm and courageous tar.  Indeed,
+the whole scene on that memorable night was far more akin to the
+sublime than the beautiful.  There were the heavy black clouds
+piled upon each other near the horizon, or hanging loosely and
+dripping overhead, portending a fearful conflict among the
+elements; there was the wind, which came in fitful gusts,
+whistling and singing in mournful cadence among the blocks and
+rigging; there was the agitated and furrowed face of the ocean,
+which had been lashed to fury by successive storms, and lighted
+up in every direction by innumerable brilliant phosphorescent
+particles, in which, it is well known, the waters of the Gulf
+Stream abound; there were the rolling echoes of the thunder, and
+the zig zag, chain lightning, which every few seconds enveloped
+the heavens and the ocean in a frightful livid garment; and, as
+if to cap the climax, there was the giant column, darker, much
+darker than the dark clouds around us, reaching from those clouds
+and resting on the waters, and threatening to sweep our whole
+ship's company into eternity.
+
+On the day succeeding our adventure with the waterspout, the wind
+died away, although the heavy clouds still hung about the
+horizon.  The schooner, lying in the trough of the sea, was
+fearfully uneasy; but towards night a regular gale of wind
+commenced, and our vessel was hove to under a double-reefed
+foresail.  It was near the close of the first watch when the
+fore-topsail getting loose on the lee yard arm, I went aloft to
+secure it.  After I had accomplished this work, I lingered a few
+minutes on the yard to enjoy the beauty of the storm.  The waves,
+urged by the fury of the gale, were breaking around us in
+majestic style; the schooner was rocking to and fro, and
+occasionally took a lee lurch, which made every timber in her
+bottom quiver.
+
+I had finished my survey of the wind and weather, and was about
+to descend to the deck, when I carelessly cast my eyes aloft, and
+there beheld a sight which struck terror to my soul.  On the very
+summit of the main-topmast   on the truck itself, was A HUGE BALL
+OF FIRE!  It seemed a mass of unearthly light of livid hue, which
+shed a dismal radiance around.  The rain fell at the time, but
+quenched it not; and the heaviest gusts of wind served neither to
+extinguish it, nor increase its brilliancy.  It kept its station
+unmoved, shining terribly through the storm, like some dread
+messenger, sent by a superior power to give warning of impending
+disaster.
+
+I was appalled with terror at the sight.  Although by no means
+credulous or superstitious, I could hardly resist the belief that
+this globe of fire, which appeared thus suddenly in the midst of
+a furious storm, at dead of night, and on a spot where it could
+not have been placed or kindled by the hand of man, was of
+supernatural origin.  I shuddered with fear; a strange giddiness
+came over me; and I had hardly strength to cling to the shrouds
+as I descended to the deck.
+
+I pointed out the object of my terror to my watch-mate, the
+French carpenter, who gazed at it earnestly, and then, turning to
+me, nodded his head emphatically two or three times, like a
+Chinese mandarin, and grinned.   This pantomimic display was
+intended to convey much meaning   more than I could interpret.
+But it convinced me that the carpenter was familiar with such
+sights, which, perhaps, were not very remarkable, after all.
+
+When the watch was called, I pointed out the fiery ball to
+Eastman, and to Mr. Adams, the mate, and learned that the object
+which gave me such a fright was not of very unfrequent occurrence
+during a gale of wind.  It was known among seamen by the name of
+CORPOSANT, or COMPLAISANT, being a corruption of "cuerpo santo,"
+the name it received from the Spaniards.  It is supposed to be
+formed of phosphorescent particles of jelly, blown from the
+surface of the water during a storm, and which, clinging to the
+rigging, gradually accumulate, and ascend until they reach the
+truck.  The mass remains there for a time, and then disappears.
+Sometimes it is seen on the topsail yard or at the end of the
+flying jib-boom.
+
+A few days afterwards, having crossed "the Gulf," we made the
+land off the mouth of Savannah River; saw Tybee Lighthouse; took
+a pilot, and proceeded up to the city.  When we left St.
+Bartholomew, it was given out that we were bound to Wilmington;
+on the passage we spoke a vessel, and Captain Turner, on being
+questioned, said we were bound to Charleston.  For good and
+sufficient reasons, known to himself, he did not think proper to
+gratify idle curiosity.
+
+But while our shrewd captain was dexterously managing to deceive
+the revenue officers, and obtain all the advantages of the fair
+trader, a circumstance occurred through his own ignorance or
+neglect, which brought about the very catastrophe he was taking
+such pains to avoid.
+
+The cargo, as I have stated, consisted of only a few puncheons of
+rum.  A permit was obtained, and one morning they were landed on
+the wharf.  At that time there was a law of the United States
+which forbade the importation of rum in casks containing less
+than ninety gallons.  The officer appointed to gauge the casks
+that were landed from the schooner ascertained that one of them
+measured only seventy-eight gallons.  He proclaimed the fact, and
+hastened to the Custom House to notify the collector.  In the
+mean time, Mr. Howard, the merchant who transacted business for
+Captain Turner, heard of the affair, and, accompanied by the
+captain, came on board.
+
+Instead of acknowledging an involuntary violation of law, and
+explaining to the collector the cause of the error, these
+gentlemen very imprudently ordered the objectionable cask to be
+rolled in on deck, and all hands were set at work to transfer its
+contents to an empty water cask, which was of greater capacity
+than ninety gallons.  The trick might have succeeded had the
+revenue officers allowed sufficient time.  The work was
+commenced, and the liquor was running out, making a gurgling
+noise, when down came the collector with a numerous posse at his
+heels!
+
+We were caught in the very act.  A war of words ensued; but the
+explanations given under the attendant circumstances were so
+unsatisfactory, that the vigilant chief of the customs clapped
+his broad mark on the mainmast, and seized the vessel and the
+unfortunate cask of rum in the name and behalf of the United
+States!
+
+
+Chapter X
+"HOME! SWEET HOME!"
+
+The afternoon of the day on which we arrived in Savannah, after
+the vessel was secured to the wharf, and the decks put in proper
+condition, the four half-starved individuals, composing the crew
+of the schooner John, gayly stepped ashore, and proceeded in
+quest of some wholesome and palatable food.  Our pockets were not
+well lined, and we sought not for luxuries; but we yearned for a
+good, full meal, which would satisfy our appetite   a blessing we
+had not enjoyed for several weeks.
+
+After passing through a couple of streets, we came to a humble
+but neat-looking dwelling house, with an apology for a garden in
+front.   Tables and seats were arranged beneath some trees;
+"spruce beer" was advertised for sale, but there were indications
+that other kinds of refreshments could be obtained.  The place
+wore a comfortable aspect.  We nodded smilingly to each other, as
+much as to say, "This will do!"   entered the gateway, which
+stood invitingly open, and took seats at a table.
+
+Eastman, who was a native of New Hampshire, had resided many
+years on a farm, and knew what was good living, inquired boldly
+of the master of the establishment if he could furnish each of us
+with a capacious bowl of bread and milk.  The man replied that he
+could.  On inquiring the price, we found, to our great joy, that
+it was within our means.  He was told to bring it along; and in a
+few minutes, which seemed an age, the bread and milk were placed
+before us.
+
+The milk was cool, and of good quality.  The bread was in the
+form of rolls, newly baked, and manufactured of the finest flour.
+The aspect of these "refreshments" was of the most tempting
+character!  To our excited imaginations, they equalled the nectar
+and ambrosia which furnished the feasts on Mount Olympus.  We did
+not tarry long to gaze upon their beauties, or contemplate their
+excellence.  Each one broke a roll into his basin of milk, seized
+a spoon, and without speaking a word, commenced operations with
+exemplary energy, with cheeks glowing with excitement, and eyes
+glistening with pleasure; while our good-natured host gazed in
+wonder on our proceedings, and grinned approbation!
+
+Our gratification was complete.  We returned to the schooner in
+better spirits and in better health, after having partaken of
+this invigorating meal; and although I have since dined with
+epicures, and been regaled with delicious food prepared in the
+most artistic style, I never tasted a dish which seemed so
+grateful to my palate, which so completely suffused my whole
+physical system with gratification bordering on ecstasy, as that
+humble bowl of bread and milk in Savannah.
+
+The schooner having been seized by the government for unlawful
+transactions, the crew were compelled to wait until the trial
+took place before they could receive the wages due for their
+services.  If the vessel should not be condemned, they were to
+look to Captain Turner for their pay.  But on the other hand, if
+the vessel should be confiscated, the United States authorities
+would be obliged to pay the wages due at the time the seizure
+took place.  In the mean time we were furnished with board, such
+as it was, and lodging in the schooner, and awaited with
+impatience the result of the trial.
+
+Captain Turner, being a shrewd business man, was not idle during
+this intermission.  Having reasons to believe his vessel would be
+condemned, he resolved that the government authorities should
+obtain possession of nothing more than the bare hull and spars.
+Under cover of the night he stripped the schooner of the cables
+and anchors, the running rigging, the spare spars, water casks,
+boats, sails, cabin furniture, blocks, compasses, and handspikes.
+The government got "a hard bargain," when the naked hull of this
+old worn-out craft came into their hands.
+
+One beautiful morning while lying at the wharf in Savannah, two
+barges, each having its stern-seats occupied by three well-
+dressed gentlemen, looking as serious and determined as if bent
+on some important business, left the landing place astern of the
+schooner, and proceeded rapidly down the river.  A throng of
+inquisitive observers, who knew the nature of their errand,
+collected ere they started from the wharf, and gazed intently on
+the boats until the intervening marshes concealed them from view.
+
+These gentlemen were to act as principals, seconds, and surgeons,
+in a duel for which all proper arrangements had been made.  At a
+ball the evening before, a dispute had arisen between two high-
+spirited youths, connected with highly-respectable families, in
+relation to the right of dancing with a beautiful girl, the belle
+of the ball-room.  Irritating and insulting language was indulged
+in by both parties; a challenge was given and promptly accepted.
+They proceeded in the way I have related to the South Carolina
+bank of the river, there to settle the controversy by gunpowder
+logic, and shoot at each other until one or both parties should
+be fully satisfied.
+
+Having seen the duellists fairly embarked, I felt a deep interest
+in the result, and eagerly watched for the return of the barges.
+In the course of little more than an hour, one of the boats was
+seen ascending the river, and rapidly approached the wharf.  One
+of the principals, followed by his friend, stepped ashore with a
+triumphant air, as if he had done a noble deed, and walked up the
+wharf.  But no satisfactory information could be obtained
+respecting the result of the duel.
+
+In about half a hour the other boat made its appearance.  It
+moved slowly along, propelled by only a couple of oars.  The
+reason for this was soon explained by the sight of a man, extended
+on the thwarts, and writhing with pain.  This proved to be one of
+the duellists, who was shot in the groin at the second fire, and
+dangerously wounded.  The boat reached the landing place, and the
+surgeon and the second both went up the wharf in search of some
+means of transporting the unfortunate man to his home.  Meanwhile
+he lay upon his rude couch exposed to the nearly vertical rays of
+the sun; his only attendant a negro, who brushed away the flies
+which annoyed him.  His features were of a deadly pallor; he
+breathed with difficulty, and appeared to suffer much from pain.
+
+Some ten or fifteen minutes elapsed ere the friends of the
+wounded man returned, bringing a litter, mattress, and bearers.
+He was too ill to be conveyed through the streets in a coach.  A
+mournful procession was formed, and he was thus carried, in a
+bleeding and dying condition, to his relatives, a mother and
+sisters, from whom he had parted a few hours before, in all the
+strength and vigor of early manhood.
+
+As I gazed upon this wounded man, the absurdity of the custom of
+duelling, as practised among civilized nations, struck me in all
+its force.  One scene like this, taken in connection with the
+attendant circumstances, is more convincing than volumes of
+logic, or a thousand homilies.  For a few hasty words, exchanged
+in a moment of anger, two men, instructed in the precepts of the
+Christian religion, professing to be guided by true principles of
+honesty and honor, who had ever borne high characters for worth,
+and perhaps, IN CONSEQUENCE of the elevated position they hold
+among respectable men, meet hy appointment in a secluded spot,
+and proceed in the most deliberate manner to take each other's
+lives   to commit MURDER   a crime of the most fearful magnitude
+known among nations, and denounced as such by the laws of man and
+the laws of God.
+
+In due time the fate of the schooner John was decided.  The
+vessel was condemned, and the crew received notice to bring in
+their bills for the amount of wages due.  Captain Turner kindly
+offered to make out my account, and shortly afterwards handed me
+my bill against the United States government for services on
+board, the amount of which overwhelmed me with astonishment.
+
+"There is surely a mistake in this bill, sir," said I; "the
+amount is far more than I am entitled to.  You forget I shipped
+for only fifteen dollars a month, and including my advanced
+month's pay, I have already received a considerable portion of my
+wages."
+
+"I forget nothing of the kind, Hawser," replied the captain, with
+a benevolent smile. "You may just as well receive fifty dollars
+as five and twenty.   The government will be none the poorer for
+it."
+
+"But, sir, will it be RIGHT for me to carry in an account so
+greatly exceeding in amount what is my due?"
+
+"My lad," replied the captain, a little embarrassed, "You must
+not be so scrupulous in these trifling matters, or you will never
+make your way through the world   at any rate you will never do
+for a sailor.  The rest of the men make no objections to putting
+a little money in their pockets, and why should YOU?  Even Mr.
+Adams, the mate, will receive double the amount of money which
+rightfully belongs to him!"
+
+"But, sir," I replied, greatly shocked at this intelligence, and
+my features undoubtedly expressed my abhorrence of this strange
+system of ethics, "do you expect me to go before a magistrate and
+take a solemn oath that the account you have jut put into my
+hands is a just and true one?  You surely would not ADVISE me to
+commit such a crime!"
+
+The captain's face glowed like a firebrand, and his eyes sparkled
+with wrath, as he loudly exclaimed, "What difference does it make
+to you, you ungrateful cur, whether the account is true or false,
+so long as you get your money?  Bring none of your squeamish
+objections here.  Either take the account as I have made it out,
+and swear to it, without flinching, or" -- and here he swore an
+oath too revolting to transcribe   "not a cent of money shall you
+receive."
+
+He stepped ashore, and walked with rapid strides up the wharf.  I
+went forward, and seating myself on the windlass, burst into
+tears!
+
+It struck me as hard and unjust that I should be deprived of my
+well-earned wages, unless on condition of committing an unworthy
+act, at which my soul revolted.  My decision, however, was taken.
+Although the loss of my money would have subjected me to
+inconvenience   perhaps distress   I resolved to submit to any
+ills which poverty might inflict, rather than comply with the
+wishes and advice of this unprincipled man, who should have acted
+towards me as a faithful monitor and guide.
+
+I remained in this disconsolate condition for about an hour, when
+Captain Turner returned on board.  As he stepped leisurely over
+the gangway, he greeted me with a benignant smile, and beckoned
+me to the quarter deck.
+
+"Well, Hawser," said he in his blandest manner, as if he sought
+to atone for his coarse language and dishonorable conduct a short
+time before, "so you refuse to do as others do   take a false
+oath?  You are too sanctimonious by half, and you will find it
+out some day.  You are an obstinate little fool, but may do as
+you like.  Here is another paper; look over it, and see if it
+will suit you."
+
+I opened the paper; it was a true statement of my claim against
+the government for wages.  In the course of the day, the ship's
+company proceeded in a body to the office of the government
+agent, swore to our several accounts, and received our money.
+
+The amount which fell to my share was not large.  I purchased
+some clothes, paid a few trifling debts that I had contracted
+while subjected to the "law's delay," which Shakespeare, a keen
+observer of men and manners, classes among the most grievous of
+human ills, and had a few dollars left.
+
+After my experience of a sailor's life, after the treatment I had
+received, the miserable fare on which I had barely existed during
+a portion of the time, and the disgusting specimen of nautical
+morality I had met with in Captain Turner, it will not be
+considered surprising if my views of a sailor's life had been a
+little changed during my last voyage.  I entertained some doubts
+whether "going to sea," instead of being all poetry and romance,
+was not rather a PROSY affair, after all; and I more than once
+asked myself if a young man, of correct deportment and
+industrious habits, who could find some good and respectable
+business on shore, would not be a consummate fool to "go to sea."
+I deliberated anxiously on the subject, and finally determined to
+return to my home in New Hampshire, and visit my friends before I
+undertook another voyage.
+
+The schooner Lydia, of Barnstable, commanded by Captain Burgess,
+an honest, noble-hearted son of Cape Cod, was the only vessel in
+Savannah at that time bound for Boston.  I explained to him my
+situation, told him I was anxious to get home, and asked as a
+favor that he would allow me to work my passage to Boston.
+
+He replied that he had a full crew for his vessel, even more
+hands than could be properly accommodated below, as the cabin and
+steerage were both encumbered with bales of cotton.  But if I was
+willing to sleep on deck, and assist in working ship and doing
+other duty, he would cheerfully give me a passage.  I accepted
+his offer on these conditions, and thanked him into the bargain.
+
+We left Savannah on our way to Boston.  My heart beat quicker at
+the idea of returning home.  The wind proved light and baffling
+on the passage, and as we drew towards the north, the weather was
+foggy with drizzling rains.  My quarters on deck, under the lee
+of a bale of cotton, were any thing but comfortable.  I often
+awoke when the watch was called, shivering with cold, and found
+it difficult, without an unusual quantity of exercise, to recover
+a tolerable degree of warmth.
+
+I uttered no complaints, but bore this continual exposure, night
+and day, and other inconveniences, with a philosophical spirit,
+conceiving them to be a part of the compact.  If the passage had
+only been of moderate length, I should, in all likelihood, have
+reached Boston in good health; but nineteen days had passed away
+when we sailed through the Vineyard Sound, and anchored in the
+harbor of Hyannis, on the third of July, 1810.
+
+Some days before we reached Hyannis, I found myself gradually
+losing strength.  I was visited with occasional fits of
+shivering, succeeded by fever heats.  But on the morning of the
+glorious Fourth, I felt my whole system renovated at the idea of
+celebrating "Independence Day" on shore.   The captain and mate
+of the Lydia both belonged to Barnstable, where their families
+resided.  They both left the schooner for their homes as soon as
+the anchor reached the bottom, boldly predicting head winds or
+calms for at least thirty-six hours, at the end of which time
+they calculated to rejoin the schooner.
+
+On the morning of the fourth, the crew, to a man, followed the
+example of our trustworthy officers, and determined to have a
+jovial time on shore.   We left the good schooner Lydia soberly
+riding at anchor, to take care of herself.  There were several
+other vessels in the harbor, all of which were deserted in the
+same manner.  Not a living animal was to be found in the whole
+fleet.  After passing weeks at sea, the temptation to tread the
+firm earth, and participate in a Fourth of July frolic, was too
+strong to be resisted.
+
+Hyannis was then quite a humble village with a profusion of salt
+works.  Farm houses were thinly scattered around, and comfort
+seemed inscribed on every dwelling.  There seemed to be an
+abundance of people moving about on that day; where they came
+from was a problem I could not solve.  Every one seemed pleased
+and happy, and, with commendable patriotism, resolved to enjoy
+Independence Day.  The young men were neatly apparelled, and bent
+on having a joyous time; and the girls   Cape Cod girls, ever
+renowned for beauty and worth   gayly decked out with smiles, and
+dimples, and ribbons, ready for a Fourth of July frolic, dazzled
+the eyes of the beholders, and threw a magic charm over the
+scene.
+
+And a frolic they had; fiddling, dancing, fun, and patriotism was
+the order of the day.  In the evening, however, the
+entertainments were varied by the delivery of a sermon and other
+religious exercises in the school-house by a young Baptist
+clergyman, who subsequently became well known for his
+praiseworthy and successful efforts to reduce the rates on
+postage in the United States.  This good man accomplished the
+great work of his life   and died.  A simple monument is erected
+to his memory at Mount Auburn, with no more than these words of
+inscription:
+
+"BARNABAS BATES,
+FATHER OF CHEAP POSTAGE."
+
+Hardly a person visits that consecrated ground who has not reaped
+enjoyment from the labors of that man's life.  And as the simple
+epitaph meets the eye, and is read in an audible tone, the heart-
+felt invocation, "Blessings on his memory!" is his oft-repeated
+elegy.
+
+It was about nine o'clock in the evening when the crew returned
+to the schooner.  After we gained the deck I was seized with an
+unpleasant sensation.  A sudden chill seemed to congeal the blood
+in my veins; my teeth chattered, and my frame shook with alarming
+violence.  After the lapse of about thirty minutes the chills
+gave place to an attack of fever, which, in an hour or two, also
+disappeared, leaving me in a weak and wretched condition.  This
+proved to be a case of intermittent fever, or FEVER AND AGUE, a
+distressing malady, but little known in New England in modern
+times, although by no means a stranger to the early settlers.  It
+was fastened upon me with a rough and tenacious grasp, by the
+damp, foggy, chilly atmosphere in which I had constantly lived
+for the last fortnight.
+
+Next morning, in good season, the captain and mate were on board.
+The wind was fair, and we got under weigh   doubled Cape Cod, and
+arrived alongside the T Wharf in Boston, after a tedious and
+uncomfortable passage of twenty-two days from Savannah.
+
+I left my home a healthy-looking boy, with buoyant spirits, a
+bright eye, and features beaming with hope.  A year had passed,
+and I stood on the wharf in Boston, a slender stripling, with a
+pale and sallow complexion, a frame attenuated by disease, and a
+spirit oppressed by disappointment.  The same day I deposited my
+chest in a packet bound to Portsmouth, tied up a few trifling
+articles in a handkerchief, shook hands with the worthy Captain
+Burgess, his mate and kind-hearted crew, and with fifteen silver
+dollars in my pocket, wended my way to the stage tavern in Ann
+Street, and made arrangements for a speedy journey to my home in
+Rockingham County, New Hampshire.
+
+
+Chapter XI
+EMBARKING FOR BRAZIL
+
+It seemed to be generally conceded that I had got enough of the
+sea; that after the discomforts I had experienced, and the
+unpleasant and revolting scenes I had witnessed, I should
+manifest folly in trying another voyage.  My friends took it for
+granted that in my eyes a ship had lost all her attractions, and
+that I would henceforth eschew salt water as zealously and
+devoutly as a thrice-holy monk is wont to eschew the vanities of
+the world.
+
+Indeed, for a time I reluctantly acknowledged that I had seen
+enough of a sailor's life; that on trial it did not realize my
+expectations; that if not a decided humbug, it was amazingly like
+one.  With my health the buoyancy of my spirits departed.  Hope
+and ambition no longer urged me with irresistible power to go
+forth and visit foreign lands, and traverse unknown seas like a
+knight errant of old in quest of adventures.  While shivering
+with ague, and thinking of my wretched fare on board the schooner
+John, and my uncomfortable lodgings during the passage from
+Savannah, I listened, with patience at least, to the suggestions
+of my friends about a change of occupation.  Arrangements were
+accordingly made by which I was to bid adieu to the seas forever.
+
+It cost me something to abandon a vocation to which I had looked
+for years as the stepping-stone to success in life; and as my
+health and spirits returned, I began to doubt whether I was
+acting wisely; but having embarked in a new pursuit, I determined
+to go ahead, and to this determination I unflinchingly adhered,
+for at least THREE MONTHS,   when I fell in with a distant
+relation, Captain Nathaniel Page, of Salem, who was about
+proceeding on a voyage to the Brazils.  After expressing surprise
+at my course in abandoning the sea, he more than hinted that if I
+wished a situation before the mast with him, it was at my
+service.
+
+This was applying the linstock to the priming with a vengeance.
+My good resolutions vanished like a wreath of vapor before a
+westerly gale.  Those longings which I had endeavored to stifle,
+returned with more than their original force.  In fancy's eye, I
+saw a marlinspike where Macbeth saw the dagger, and snuffed the
+fragrance of a tar-bucket in every breeze.
+
+At the expiration of three days after my interview with Captain
+Page, I took the stage coach and proceeded to Salem.  The brig
+Clarissa was then preparing to take in cargo for Maranham and
+Para,   ports on the north coast of Brazil,   which had just been
+thrown open to American commerce.  The Clarissa was a good-
+looking, substantial vessel, of about two hundred tons burden,
+belonging to Jere. L. Page, Abel Peirso, and others, and had
+recently returned from a successful voyage to Calcutta.
+
+The sight of the brig, and the flurry about the wharves, where
+several Indiamen were discharging cargoes or making ready for
+sea, confirmed me in my resolution to try the ocean once more.
+Indeed I began to be heartily ashamed of having seriously
+entertained the idea of quietly settling down among "the land-
+lubbers on shore," and felt that the sooner I retrieved my error
+the better.
+
+Filled with this idea, I sought Captain Page, and without further
+consideration, and without daring to consult my friends in New
+Hampshire, lest they should overwhelm me with remonstrances, I
+engaged to go in the Clarissa as one of the crew before the mast.
+
+I returned home with all speed, gathered together my few sea-
+going garments and nautical instruments, again bade adieu to my
+relations, who gravely shook their heads in doubt of the wisdom
+of my conduct, and elated by visions of fairy castles in the
+distance, hastened to join the brig, which was destined to bear
+Caesar and his fortunes.
+
+This may have been the wisest step I could have taken.  It is not
+likely I should have been long reconciled to any other occupation
+than that of a mariner.  When a boy's fixed inclinations in the
+choice of an occupation are thwarted, he is seldom successful in
+life.  His genius, if he has any, will be cramped, stunted, by an
+attempt to bend it in the wrong direction, and will seldom
+afterwards expand.  But when a person, while attending to the
+duties of his profession or occupation, whether literary,
+scientific, or manual, can gratify his inclinations, and thus
+find pleasure in his business, he will be certain of success.
+
+It was at the close of January, 1811, that the brig Clarissa was
+cast loose from Derby's Wharf in Salem, and with a gentle south-
+west breeze, sailed down the harbor, passed Baker's Island, and
+entered on the broad Atlantic.  Our cargo was of a miscellaneous
+description, consisting of flour and salt provisions, furniture,
+articles of American manufacture, and large assortment of India
+cottons, which were at that time in general use throughout the
+habitable parts of the globe.
+
+The Clarissa was a good vessel, and well found in almost every
+respect; but like most of the vessels in those days, had wretched
+accommodations for the crew.  The forecastle was small, with no
+means of ventilation or admission of the light of day, excepting
+by the fore-scuttle.  In this contracted space   an equilateral
+triangle, with sides of some twelve or fifteen feet, which was
+expected to furnish comfortable accommodations for six
+individuals, including a very dark-complexioned African, who
+filled the respectable and responsible office of cook   were
+stowed six large chests and other baggage belonging to the
+sailors; also two water-hogsheads, and several coils of rigging.
+
+The deck leaked badly, in heavy weather, around the bowsprit-
+bitts, flooding the forecastle at every plunge; and when it is
+considered that each inmate of the forecastle, except myself, was
+an inveterate chewer of Indian weed, it may be imagined that this
+forecastle was about as uncomfortable a lodging place, in
+sinter's cold or summer's heat, as a civilized being could well
+desire.  It undoubtedly possessed advantages over the "Black Hole
+of Calcutta," but an Esquimaux hut, an Indian wigwam, or a
+Russian cabin, was a palace in comparison.  And this was a type
+of the forecastles of those days.
+
+After getting clear of the land the wind died away; and soon
+after came from the eastward, and was the commencement of a snow
+storm which lasted twelve hours, when it backed into the north-
+west, and the foresail was set with the view of scudding before
+the wind.  It soon blew a heavy gale; the thermometer fell nearly
+to zero; ice gathered in large quantities on our bowsprit, bows,
+and rigging, and the brig labored and plunged fearfully in the
+irregular cross sea when urged through the water by the
+blustering gale.
+
+To save the vessel from foundering, it became necessary to lay
+her to under a close-reefed main-topsail.  It was about half past
+eleven o'clock at night, when all hands were called for that
+purpose.  Unfortunately my feet were not well protected from the
+inclemency of the weather, and became thoroughly wet before I had
+been five minutes on deck.  We had difficulty in handling the
+foresail, in consequence of the violence of the wind and the
+benumbing effect of the weather, and remained a long time on the
+yard.  When I reached the deck, my stockings were frozen to my
+feet, and I suffered exceedingly from the cold.
+
+It was now my "trick at the helm,": for notwithstanding we were
+lying to, it was considered necessary for some one to remain near
+the tiller, watch the compass, and be in readiness for any
+emergency.  I stamped my feet occasionally, with a view to keep
+them from freezing, and thought I had succeeded; and when at four
+o'clock I went below and turned into my berth, they felt
+comfortable enough, and I fell into a deep sleep, from which I
+was awakened by burning pains in my feet and fingers.  My
+sufferings were intolerable, and I cried out lustily in my agony,
+and was answered from another part of the forecastle, where one
+of my watchmates, a youth but little older than myself, was
+extended, also suffering from frozen feet and hands.
+
+Our united complaints, which by no means resembled a concert of
+sweet sounds, aroused from his slumbers our remaining watchmate,
+Newhall, an experienced tar, who cared little for weather of any
+description, provided he was not stinted in his regular
+proportion of sleep.  In a surly mood he inquired what was the
+trouble.  On being told, he remarked with a vein of philosophy
+and a force of logic which precluded all argument, that if our
+feet were frozen, crying and groaning would do US no good, while
+it would annoy him and prevent his sleeping; therefore we had
+better "grin and bear it" like men until eight bells, when we
+might stand a chance to get some assistance.  He moreover told us
+that he would not put up with such a disturbance in the
+forecastle; it was against al rules; and if we did not clap a
+stopper on our cries and groans, he would turn out and give us
+something worth crying for   he would pummel us both without
+mercy!
+
+Thus cautioned by our compassionate shipmate, we endeavored to
+restrain ourselves from giving utterance to our feelings until
+the expiration of the watch.
+
+When the watch was called our wailings were loud and clamorous.
+Our sufferings awakened the sympathy of the officers; our
+condition was inquired into, and assistance furnished.  Both my
+feet were badly frost-bitten, and inflamed and swollen.  Collins,
+my watchmate, had not escaped unscathed from the attack of this
+furious northwester, but being provided with a pair of stout
+boots, his injuries were much less than mine.  In a few days he
+was about the deck as active as ever.
+
+The result of my conflict with the elements on "the winter's
+coast" was of a serious and painful character; and for a time
+there was reason to fear that amputation of a portion of one, if
+not both feet might be necessary.  Captain Page treated me with
+kindness, and was unremitting in his surgical attentions; and by
+dint of great care, a free application of emollients, and copious
+quantities of "British oil," since known at different times as
+"Seneca oil," or "Petroleum," a partial cure was gradually
+effected; but several weeks passed away ere I was able to go
+aloft, and a free circulation of the blood has never been
+restored.
+
+A few days after this furious gale, we found ourselves in warm
+weather, having entered the edge of the Gulf Stream.  We
+proceeded in a south-east direction, crossing the trade winds on
+our way to the equinoctial line.  Were it not for the monotony,
+which always fatigues, there would be few undertakings more
+interesting than a sail through the latitudes of "the trades,"
+where we meet with a balmy atmosphere, gentle breezes, and smooth
+seas.  In the night the heavens are often unclouded, the
+constellations seem more interesting, the stars shine with a
+milder radiance, and the moon gives a purer light, than in a more
+northern region.  Often in my passage through the tropics, during
+the night-watches, seated on a spare topmast, or the windlass, or
+the heel of the bowsprit, I have, for hours at a time, indulged
+my taste for reading and study by the light of the moon.
+
+Fish of many kinds are met with in those seas; and the attempt to
+capture them furnishes a pleasant excitement; and if the attempt
+is successful, an agreeable variety is added to the ordinary fare
+on shipboard.  The dolphin is the fish most frequently seen, and
+is the most easily caught of these finny visitors.  He is one of
+the most beautiful of the inhabitants of the deep, and presents a
+singularly striking and captivating appearance, as, clad in
+gorgeous array, he moves gracefully through the water.  He
+usually swims near the surface, and when in pursuit of a flying-
+fish shoots along with inconceivable velocity.
+
+The dolphin, when properly cooked, although rather dry, is
+nevertheless excellent eating; and as good fish is a welcome
+commodity at sea, the capture of a dolphin is not only an
+exciting but an important event.  When the word is given forth
+that "there's a dolphin alongside," the whole ship's company are
+on the alert.  Business, unless of the last importance, is
+suspended, and the implements required for the death or captivity
+of the unsuspecting stranger are eagerly sought for.  The men
+look resolved, ready to render any assistance, and watch the
+proceedings with an eager eye; and the wonted grin on the
+features of the delighted cook, in anticipation of an opportunity
+to display his culinary skill, assumes a broader character.
+
+The captain or the mate takes his station in some convenient part
+of the vessel, on the bow or on the quarter, or beneath the
+bowsprit on the martingale stay.  By throwing overboard a bright
+spoon, or a tin vessel, to which a line is attached, and towing
+it on the top of the water, the dolphin, attracted by its
+glittering appearance, and instigated by curiosity, moves quickly
+towards the deceiving object, unconscious that his artful enemy,
+man, armed with a deadly weapon, a sort of five-pronged harpoon,
+called a GRANES, is standing over him, with uplifted arm, ready
+to give the fatal blow.
+
+The fish is transferred from his native element to the deck; the
+granes is disengaged from the quivering muscles, and again passed
+to the officer, who, it may be, soon adds another to the killed.
+It is sometimes the case that half a dozen dolphin are captured
+in this way in a few minutes.  A hook and line over the stern,
+with a flying-fish for bait, will often prove a successful means
+of capturing the beautiful inhabitants of the deep.
+
+The dolphin is a fine-looking fish.  Its shape is symmetry
+itself, and has furnished a valuable hint for the model of fast-
+sailing vessels.  It is usually from two to three feet in length,
+and is sometimes met with of nearly twice that size, and weighing
+seventy-five or a hundred pounds.  One of the properties for
+which the dolphin is celebrated is that of changing its color
+when dying.  By many this is considered fabulous; but it is
+strictly true.  After the fish is captured, and while struggling
+in the scuppers, the changes constantly taking place in its color
+are truly remarkable.  The hues which predominate are blue,
+green, and yellow, with their various combinations: but when the
+fish is dead, the beauty of its external appearance, caused by
+the brilliancy of its hues, no longer exists.  Falconer, the
+sailor poet, in his interesting poem of "The Shipwreck," thus
+describes this singular phenomenon:
+
+"But while his heart the fatal javelin thrills,
+And flitting life escapes in sanguine rills,
+What radiant changes strike the astonished sight!
+What glowing hues of mingled shade and light!
+Not equal beauties gild the lucid west,
+With parting beams all o'er profusely drest;
+Not lovelier colors paint the vernal dawn,
+When orient dews impearl the enamelled lawn,
+Than from his sides in bright suffusion flow,
+That now with gold empyreal seem to glow;
+Now in pellucid sapphires meet the view,
+And emulate the soft, celestial hue;
+Now beam a flaming crimson in the eye,
+And now assume the purple's deeper dye."
+
+The second mate of the Clarissa, Mr. Fairfield, was a veteran
+sailor, and a very active and industrious man.  He was always
+busy when not asleep; and, what was of more importance, and
+frequently an annoyance to the ship's company, he dearly loved to
+see other people busy.  He regarded idleness as the parent of
+evil, and always acted on the uncharitable principle that if
+steady employment is not provided for a ship's company they will
+be constantly contriving mischief.
+
+Unfortunately for the crew of the Clarissa, Mr. Fairfield had
+great influence with the captain, having sailed with him the
+previous voyage, and proved himself a good and faithful officer.
+He, therefore, had no difficulty in carrying into operation his
+favorite scheme of KEEPING ALL HANDS AT WORK.  A large quantity
+of "old junk" was put on board in Salem, and on the passage to
+Brazil, after we reached the pleasant latitudes, all hands were
+employed from eight o'clock in the morning until six o'clock in
+the evening in knotting yarns, twisting spunyarn, weaving mats,
+braiding sinnett, making reef-points and gaskets, and
+manufacturing small rope to be used for "royal rigging,"   for
+among the ingenious expedients devised by the second mate for
+keeping the crew employed was the absurd and unprofitable one of
+changing the snug pole royal masts into "sliding gunters," with
+royal yards athwart, man-of-war fashion.
+
+Sunday on board the Clarissa was welcomed as a day of respite
+from hard labor.  The crew on that day had "watch and watch,"
+which gave them an opportunity to attend to many little duties
+connected with their individual comforts, that had been neglected
+during the previous week.  This is exemplified in a conversation
+I had with Newhall, one of my watchmates, one pleasant Sunday
+morning, after breakfast.
+
+"Heigh-ho," sighed Newhall, with a sepulchral yawn; "Sunday has
+come at last, and I am glad.  It is called a day of rest, but is
+no day of rest for me.  I have a thousand things to do this
+forenoon; one hour has passed away already, and I don't know
+which to do first."
+
+"Indeed!  What have you to do to-day more than usual," I
+inquired.
+
+"Not much out of the usual way, perhaps, Hawser.  But I must
+shave and change my clothes.  Although we can't go to meeting,
+it's well enough for a fellow to look clean and decent, at least
+once a week.  I must also wash a couple of shirts, make a cap out
+of a piece of canvas trousers, stop a leak in my pea-jacket, read
+a chapter in the Bible,   which I promised my grandmother in
+Lynnfield I would do every Sunday,   and bottle off an hour's
+sleep."
+
+"Well, then, " said I, "if you have so much to do, no time is to
+be lost.  You had better go to work at once."
+
+"So I will," said he; "and as an hour's sleep is the most
+important of all, I'll make sure of that to begin with, for fear
+of accidents.  So, here goes."
+
+And into his berth he tumbled "all standing," and was neither
+seen nor heard until the watch was called at twelve o'clock.
+
+But little time was given for the performance of religious duties
+on the Sabbath; indeed, in the times of which I write, such
+duties among sailors were little thought of.  Religious subjects
+were not often discussed in a ship's forecastle, and even the
+distinction between various religious sects and creeds was
+unheeded, perhaps unknown.  And yet the germ of piety was
+implanted in the sailor's heart.  His religion was simple, but
+sincere.  Without making professions, he believed in the being of
+a wise and merciful Creator; he believed in a system of future
+rewards and punishments; he read his Bible,   a book which was
+always found in a sailor's chest,   pinned his faith upon the
+Gospels, and treasured up the precepts of our Saviour; he
+believed that though his sins were many, his manifold temptations
+would also be remembered.  He manifested but little fear of
+death, relying firmly on the MERCY of the Almighty.
+
+My description of the uninterrupted labors of the crew on board
+the Clarissa may induce the inquiry how the ship's company could
+do with so little sleep, and even if a sailor could catch a cat-
+nap occasionally in his watch, what must become of the officers,
+who are supposed to be wide awake and vigilant during the hours
+they remain on deck?
+
+I can only say, that on board the Clarissa there was an exception
+to this very excellent rule.  Captain Page, like other
+shipmasters of the past, perhaps also of the present day,
+although bearing the reputation of a good shipmaster, seldom
+troubled himself about ship's duty in the night time.  He trusted
+to his officers, who were worthy men and experienced sailors.
+Between eight and nine o'clock he turned in, and was seldom seen
+again until seven bells, or half past seven o'clock in the
+morning.  After he left the deck, the officer of the watch,
+wrapped in his pea-jacket, measured his length on the weather
+hencoop, and soon gave unimpeachable evidence of enjoying a
+comfortable nap.  The remainder of the watch, emulating the noble
+example of the officer, selected the softest planks on the deck,
+threw themselves, nothing loath, into a horizontal position, and
+in a few minutes were transported into the land of forgetfulness.
+
+The helmsman only, of all the ship's company, was awake, to watch
+the wind and look out for squalls; and he, perhaps, was nodding
+at his post, while the brig was moving through the water, her
+head pointing by turns in every direction but the right one.  If
+the wind veered or hauled, the yard remained without any
+corresponding change in their position.  If more sail could be
+set to advantage, it was seldom done until the sun's purple rays
+illumined the eastern horizon, when every man in the watch was
+aroused, and a great stir was made on the deck.  When the captain
+came up the companion-way, every sail was properly set which
+would draw to advantage, and the yards were braced according to
+the direction of the wind.
+
+It was, undoubtedly, owing to this negligence on the part of the
+officers during the night watches, and not to any ill qualities
+on the part of the brig, that our passage to Maranham occupied
+over sixty days.  And, undoubtedly, to this negligence may be
+ascribed the extraordinary length of passages to and from foreign
+ports of many good-sailing ships in these days.
+
+
+Chapter XII
+MARANHAM AND PARA.
+
+As we drew near the equinoctial line, I occasionally heard some
+talk among the officers on the subject of a visit from Old
+Neptune; and as there were three of the crew who had never
+crossed the line, it was thought probable that the venerable sea
+god would visit the brig, and shake hands with the strangers,
+welcoming them to his dominions.
+
+A few days afterwards, when the latitude was determined by a
+meridian altitude of the sun, Captain Page ordered Collins to go
+aloft and take a good look around the horizon, as it was not
+unlikely something was in sight.  Collins grinned, and went
+aloft.  He soon hailed the deck from the fore-topsail yard, and
+said he saw a boat broad off on the weather bow, with her sails
+spread "wing and wing," and steering directly for the brig.
+
+"That's Old Neptune himself!" shouted Captain Page, clapping his
+hands. "He will soon be alongside.  Mr. Abbot," continued he,
+speaking to the chief mate, "let the men get their dinners at
+once.  We must be prepared to receive the old gentleman!"
+
+After dinner, Mr. Fairfield ordered those of the crew   including
+myself   who had never crossed the line, into the forecastle, to
+remove one of the water casks.  We had no sooner descended the
+ladder than the fore-scuttle was closed and fastened, and we were
+caught like rats in a trap.  Preparations of a noisy character
+were now made on deck for the reception of Old Neptune.
+
+An hour   a long and tedious one it appeared to those confined
+below   elapsed before the old gentleman got within hail.  At
+length we heard a great trampling on the forecastle, and anon a
+gruff voice, which seemed to come from the end of the flying jib-
+boom, yelled out, "Brig, ahoy!"
+
+"Hallo!" replied the captain.
+
+"Have you any strangers on board?"
+
+"Ay, ay!"
+
+"Heave me a rope!  I'll come alongside and shave them directly!"
+
+A cordial greeting was soon interchanged between captain Page and
+Old Neptune on deck, to which we prisoners listened with much
+interest.  The slide of the scuttle was removed, and orders given
+for one of the "strangers" to come on deck and be shaved.
+Anxious to develop the mystery and be qualified to bear a part in
+the frolic, I pressed forward; but as soon as my head appeared
+above the rim of the scuttle I was seized, blindfolded, and led
+to the main deck, where I was urged, by a press of politeness I
+could not withstand, to be seated on a plank.  The process of
+shaving commenced, which, owing to the peculiar roughness of the
+razor and the repulsive qualities of the lather, was more painful
+and disagreeable than pleasant, but to which I submitted without
+a murmur.  When the scarifying process was finished, I was told
+to hold up my head, raise my voice to its highest pitch, and say,
+"Yarns!"  I obeyed the mandate, as in duty bound; and to give
+full and distinct utterance to the word, opened my mouth as if
+about to swallow a whale, when some remorseless knave, amid
+shouts of laughter from the surrounding group, popped into my
+open mouth the huge tar brush, well charged with the unsavory
+ingredients for shaving.
+
+I now thought my trials were over.  Not so.  I was interrogated
+through a speaking trumpet on several miscellaneous subjects; but
+suspecting some trick, my answers were brief and given through
+closed teeth.  At length, Captain Page exclaimed, "Old Neptune,
+this will never do.  Give him a speaking trumpet also, and let
+him answer according to rule, and in shipshape fashion, so that
+we can all hear and understand him."
+
+I put the trumpet to my mouth, and to the next question attempted
+to reply in stunning tones, "None of your business!"   for I was
+getting impatient, and felt somewhat angry.  The sentence was but
+half uttered when a whole bucket of salt water was hurled into
+the broad end of the speaking trumpet, which conducted it into my
+mouth and down my throat, nearly producing strangulation; at the
+same time, the seat was pulled from beneath me, and I was plunged
+over head and ears in the briny element.
+
+As soon as I recovered my breath, the bandage was removed from my
+eyes, and I found myself floating in the long boat, which had
+been nearly filled with water for the occasion, and surrounded by
+as jovial a set of fellows as ever played off a practical joke.
+Old Neptune proved to be Jim Sinclair, of Marblehead, but so
+disguised that his own mother could not have known him.  His ill-
+favored and weather-beaten visage was covered with streaks of
+paint, like the face of a wild Indian on the war-path.  He had a
+thick beard made of oakum; and a wig of rope-yarns, the curls
+hanging gracefully on his shoulders, was surmounted with a paper
+cap, fashioned and painted so as to bear a greater resemblance to
+the papal tiara than to the diadem of the ocean monarch.  In one
+hand he held a huge speaking trumpet, and in the other he
+brandished, instead of a trident, the ship's granes with FIVE
+prongs!
+
+The other strangers to Old Neptune were subsequently compelled to
+go through the same ceremonies, in which I assisted with a hearty
+good will; and those who did not patiently submit to the
+indignities, received the roughest treatment.  The shades of
+evening fell before the frolic was over, and the wonted order and
+discipline restored.
+
+It was formerly the invariable practice with all American and
+British vessels to observe ceremonies, when crossing the line, of
+a character similar to those I have described, varying, of
+course, according to the taste of the commander of the vessel and
+other circumstances.  In a large ship, with a numerous crew, when
+it was deemed expedient to be particularly classical, Neptune
+appeared in full costume, accompanied by the fair Amphitrite,
+decorated with a profusion of sea-weed or gulf-weed, shells,
+coral, and other emblems of salt water sovereignty, and followed
+by a group of Tritons and Nereids fantastically arrayed.
+Sometimes, and especially when remonstrances were made to the
+mandates of the sea god, and his authority was questioned in a
+style bordering on rebellion, the proceedings were of a character
+which bore unjustifiably severe on his recusant subjects.
+Instances have been known where keel-hauling has been resorted to
+as an exemplary punishment for a refractory individual.
+
+This cruel and inhuman mode of punishment, in former ages, was
+not uncommon in ships of war of all nations.  It was performed by
+fastening a rope around the body of an individual, beneath the
+armpits, as he stood on the weather gunwale.  One end of the rope
+was passed beneath the keel and brought up to the deck on the
+opposite side, and placed in the hands of half a dozen stout
+seamen.  The man was then pushed overboard, and the men stationed
+to leeward commenced hauling, while those to windward gently
+"eased away" the other end of the rope.  The victim was thus, by
+main force, dragged beneath the keel, and hauled up to the deck
+on the other side.  The operation, when adroitly performed,
+occupied but a short time in the estimation of the bystanders,
+although it must have seemed ages to the poor fellow doomed to
+undergo the punishment.  Sometimes a leg or an arm would come in
+contact with the keel, and protract the operation; therefore, a
+severe bruise, a broken limb, a dislocated joint, or even death
+itself, was not an unfrequent attendant on this kind of
+punishment!
+
+Many years ago, on board an English East Indiaman, an officer,
+who had figured conspicuously in perpetrating severe jokes on
+those who were, for the first time, introduced to Old Neptune,
+was shot through the head by an enraged passenger, who could not,
+or would not appreciate the humor of the performances!
+
+The ceremony of "shaving when crossing the line" is not so
+generally observed as formerly in our American ships; and, as it
+is sometimes carried to unjustifiable lengths, and can hardly be
+advocated on any other ground than ancient custom, it is in a
+fair way to become obsolete.
+
+In those days there were no correct charts of the northern coast
+of Brazil, and Captain Page, relying on such charts as he could
+obtain, was one night in imminent danger of losing the brig,
+which was saved only by the sensitiveness of the olfactory organs
+of the second mate!
+
+It was about six bells in the middle watch, or three o'clock in
+the morning; the heavens were clear and unclouded; the stars
+shone with great brilliancy; there was a pleasant breeze from the
+south-east, and the ship was gliding quietly along, with the wind
+abaft the beam, at the rate of five or six knots.  Suddenly Mr.
+Fairfield, whose nose was not remarkable for size, but might with
+propriety be classed among the SNUBS, ceased to play upon it its
+accustomed tune in the night watches, sprang from the hen-coop,
+on which he had been reclining, and began to snuff the air in an
+eager and agitated manner!  He snuffed again; he stretched his
+head over the weather quarter and continued to snuff!  I was at
+the helm, and was not a little startled at his strange and
+unaccountable conduct.  I had almost convinced myself that he was
+laboring under a sudden attack of insanity, when, turning round,
+he abruptly asked me IF I COULD NOT SMELL THE LAND?
+
+I snuffed, but could smell nothing unusual, and frankly told him
+so; upon which he went forward and asked Newhall and Collins if
+either of them could smell the land.  Newhall said "no;" but
+Collins, after pointing his nose to windward, declared he "could
+smell it plainly, and that the smell resembled beefsteak and
+onions!"
+
+To this, after a long snuff, the mate assented adding that beef
+was abundant in Brazil, and the people were notoriously fond of
+garlic!  Collins afterwards acknowledged that he could smell
+nothing, but was bound to have as good a nose as the second mate!
+
+Upon the strength of this additional testimony Mr. Fairfield
+called the captain, who snuffed vigorously, but without effect.
+He could smell neither land, nor "beefsteak and onions." He was
+also incredulous in regard to our proximity to the shore, but
+very properly concluded, as it was so near daylight, to heave the
+brig to, with her head off shore, until we could test the
+correctness of the second mate's nose!
+
+After waiting impatiently a couple of hours we could get glimpses
+along the southern horizon, and, to the surprise of Captain Page,
+and the triumph of the second mate, the land was visible in the
+shape of a long, low, hummocky beach, and not more than three
+leagues distant.  When Mr. Fairfield first scented it we were
+probably not more than four or five miles from the shore, towards
+which we were steering on a diagonal course.
+
+The land we fell in with was some three or four degrees to
+windward of Maranham.  On the following day we entered the mouth
+of the river, and anchored opposite the city.
+
+Before we had been a week in port a large English ship, bound to
+Maranham, went ashore in the night on the very beach which would
+have wrecked the Clarissa, had it not been for the extraordinary
+acuteness o Mr. Fairfield's nose, and became a total wreck.  The
+officers and crew remained near the spot for several days to save
+what property they could, and gave a lamentable account of their
+sufferings.  They were sheltered from the heat of the sun by day,
+and the dews and rains by night, by tents rudely constructed from
+the ship's sails.  But these tents could not protect the men from
+the sand-flies and mosquitoes, and their annoyance from those
+insects must have been intolerable.  The poor fellows shed tears
+when they told the tale of their trials, and pointed to the
+ulcers on their limbs as evidence of the ferocity of the
+mosquitoes!
+
+It appeared, also, that their provisions fell short, and they
+would have suffered from hunger were it not that the coast, which
+was but sparsely inhabited, abounded in wild turkeys, as they
+said, of which they shot several, which furnished them with
+"delicious food."  They must have been excessively hungry, or
+blessed with powerful imaginations, for, on cross-examination,
+these "wild turkeys" proved to be TURKEY BUZZARDS, or carrion
+vultures, most filthy creatures, which, in many places where the
+decay of animal matter is common, act faithfully the part of
+scavengers, and their flesh is strongly tinctured with the
+quality of their food.
+
+St. Louis de Maranham is a large and wealthy city, situated near
+the mouth of the Maranham River, about two degrees and a half
+south of the equator.  The city is embellished with many fine
+buildings, among which is the palace of the governor of the
+province, and many richly endowed churches or cathedrals.  These
+numerous churches were each furnished with bells by the dozen,
+which were continually ringing, tolling, or playing tunes from
+morning until night, as if vieing with each other, in a paroxysm
+of desperation, which should make the most deafening clamor.  I
+have visited many Catholic cities, but never met with a people so
+extravagantly fond of the music of bells as the inhabitants of
+Maranham.
+
+This perpetual ringing and pealing of bells, of all sizes and
+tones, at first astonishes and rather amuses a stranger, who
+regards it as a part of the rejoicings at some great festival.
+But, when day after day passes, and there is no cessation of
+these clanging sounds, he becomes annoyed; at every fresh peal he
+cannot refrain from exclaiming "Silence that dreadful bell!" and
+wishes from his heart they were all transformed to dumb bells!
+Yet, after a time, when the ear becomes familiar with the sounds,
+he regards the discordant music of the bells with indifference.
+When the Clarissa left the port of Maranham, after having been
+exposed for months to such an unceasing clang, something seemed
+wanting; the crew found themselves involuntarily listening for
+the ringing of the bells, and weeks elapsed before they became
+accustomed and reconciled to the absence of the stunning
+tintinabulary clatter!
+
+The city of Maranham was inhabited almost entirely by Portuguese,
+or the descendants of Portuguese.  We found no persons there of
+foreign extraction, excepting a few British commission merchants.
+There was not a French, a German, or an American commercial house
+in the place.  The Portuguese are a people by no means calculated
+to gain the kind consideration and respect of foreigners.  They
+may possess much intrinsic worth, but it is so covered with, or
+concealed beneath a cloak of arrogance and self-esteem, among the
+higher classes, and of ignorance, superstition, incivility, and
+knavery among the lower, that it is difficult to appreciate it.
+Of their courtesy to strangers, a little incident, which occurred
+to Captain Page while in Maranham, will furnish an illustration.
+
+Passing, one day, by a large cathedral, he found many persons
+entering the edifice or standing near the doorway, an indication
+that some holy rites were about to be celebrated.  Wishing to
+view the ceremony, he joined the throng and entered the church,
+which was already crowded by persons of all ranks.  Pressing
+forward he found a vacant spot on the floor of the cathedral, in
+full view of the altar.  Here he took his stand, and gazed with
+interest on the proceedings.
+
+He soon perceived that he was the observed of all observers; that
+he was stared at as an object of interest and no little amusement
+by persons in his immediate vicinity, who, notwithstanding their
+saturnine temperaments, could not suppress their smiles, and
+winked and nodded to each other, at the same time pointing slyly
+towards him, as if there was some capital joke on hand in which
+he bore a conspicuous part.  His indignation may be  imagined
+when he discovered that he had been standing directly beneath a
+huge chandelier, which was well supplied with lighted wax
+candles, and the drops of melted wax were continually falling,
+from a considerable height, upon his new dress coat, and the
+drops congealing, his coat looked as if covered with spangles!
+Not one of the spectators of this scene was courteous enough to
+give him a hint of his misfortune, but all seemed to relish, with
+infinite gusto, the mishap of the stranger.
+
+Captain Page found in Maranham a dull market for his East India
+goods.  His provisions and his flour, however, bought a good
+price, but the greatest per centum of profit was made on cigars.
+One of the owners of the Clarissa stepped into an auction store
+in State Street one day, when a lot of fifty thousand cigars,
+imported in an English vessel from St. Jago de Cuba, were put up
+for sale.  The duty on foreign cigars, at that time, was three
+dollars and a half a thousand.  These cigars had been regularly
+entered at the custom house, and were entitled to debenture, that
+is, to a return of the duties, on sufficient proof being
+furnished that they had been exported and landed in a foreign
+port.  As there were few bidders, and the cigars were of inferior
+quality, the owner of the Clarissa bought the lot at the rate of
+three dollars per thousand, and put them on board the brig.  They
+were sold in Maranham as "Cuban cigars" for fifteen dollars a
+thousand, and on the return of the brig the custom house handed
+over the debenture   three dollars and a half a thousand!  This
+was what may be called a neat speculation, certainly a SAFE one,
+as the return duty alone would have covered the cost and
+expenses!
+
+In the river, opposite the city, the current was rapid,
+especially during the ebb tide, and sharks were numerous.  We
+caught three or four heavy and voracious ones with a shark-hook
+while lying at anchor.  Only a few days before we arrived a negro
+child was carried off by one of these monsters, while bathing
+near the steps of the public landing-place, and devoured.
+
+A few days before we left port I sculled ashore in the yawl,
+bearing a message from the mate to the captain.  It was nearly
+low water, the flood tide having just commenced, and I hauled the
+boat on the flats, calculating to be absent but a few minutes.
+Having been delayed by business, when I approached the spot where
+I left the boat I found, to my great mortification, that the boat
+had floated with the rise of the tide, and was borne by a fresh
+breeze some twenty or thirty yards from the shore.  My chagrin
+may be imagined when I beheld the boat drifting merrily up the
+river, at the rate of three or four knots an hour!
+
+I stood on the shore and gazed wistfully on the departing yawl.
+There was no boat in the vicinity, and only one mode of arresting
+the progress of the fugitive.  I almost wept through vexation.  I
+hesitated one moment on account of the sharks, then plunged into
+the river, and with rapid and strong strokes swam towards the
+boat.  I was soon alongside, seized the gunwale, and, expecting
+every moment that a shark would seize me by the leg, by a
+convulsive movement threw myself into the boat.
+
+As I sculled back towards the place from which the boat had
+drifted, Captain Page came down to the water side.  He had
+witnessed the scene from a balcony, and administered a severe
+rebuke for my foolhardiness in swimming off into the river,
+particularly during the young flood, which brought the voracious
+monsters in from the sea.
+
+On our passage to Maranham, and during a portion of our stay in
+that port, the utmost harmony prevailed on board.  The men,
+although kept constantly at work, were nevertheless satisfied
+with their treatment.  The officers and the crew were on pleasant
+terms with each other; and grumbling without cause, which is
+often indulged in on shipboard, was seldom known in the
+forecastle of the Clarissa.  But it happened, unfortunately for
+our peace and happiness, that Captain Page added two men to his
+crew in Maranham.  One of them was an Englishman, one of the poor
+fellows, who, when shipwrecked on the coast, were nearly eaten up
+by the mosquitoes, and who in turn banqueted on turkey buzzards,
+as the greatest of luxuries!  He was a stout, ablebodied sailor,
+but ignorant, obstinate, insolent, and quarrelsome   one of those
+men who, always dissatisfied and uncomfortable, seem to take
+pains to make others unhappy also.
+
+The other was a native of New England.  He had met with various
+strange adventures and been impressed on board an English man-of-
+war, where he had served a couple of years, and, according to his
+own statement, been twice flogged at the gangway.  He was a
+shrewd fellow, impatient under the restraints of discipline;
+always complaining of "the usage" in the Clarissa, and being
+something of a sea lawyer, and liberally endowed with the gift of
+speech, exercised a controlling influence over the crew, and in
+conjunction with the Englishman, kept the ship's company in that
+unpleasant state of tumult and rebellion, known as "hot water,"
+until the end of the voyage.
+
+One or two men, of a character similar to those I have described,
+are to be found in almost every vessel, and are always the cause
+of more or less trouble;   of discontent and insolence on the
+part of the crew, and of corresponding harsh treatment on the
+part of the officers; and the ship which is destined to be the
+home, for months, of men who, under other circumstances, would be
+brave, manly, and obedient, and which SHOULD be the abode of
+kindness, comfort, and harmony, becomes a Pandemonium, where
+cruelty and oppression are practised   a gladiatorial arena,
+where quarrels, revolts, and perhaps murders, are enacted.  When
+such men, determined promoters of strife, are found among a
+ship's company, they should be got rid of at any cost, with the
+earliest opportunity.
+
+When our cargo was disposed of at Maranham we proceeded down the
+coast to the city of Para, on one of the mouths of the Amazon.
+Here we received a cargo of cacao for the United States.  There
+was, at that time, a vast quantity of wild, uncultivated forest
+land in the interior of the province, which may account for the
+many curious specimens of wild living animals which we met with
+at that place.  Indeed the city seemed one vast menagerie, well
+stocked with birds, beasts, and creeping things.
+
+Of the birds, the parrot tribe held the most conspicuous place.
+They were of all colors and sizes, from the large, awkward-
+looking mackaw, with his hoarse, discordant note, to the little,
+delicate-looking paroquet, dumb as a barnacle, and not bigger
+than a wren.  The monkeys, of all sizes, forms, and colors,
+continually chattering and grimacing, as fully represented the
+four-footed animals as the parrots did the bipeds.  We found
+there the mongoose, but little larger than a squirrel; an animal
+almost as intelligent as the monkey, but far more interesting and
+attractive.  The hideous-looking sloth, with his coarse hair,
+resembling Carolina moss, his repulsive physiognomy, his strong,
+crooked claws, his long and sharp teeth, darkly dyed with the
+coloring matter of the trees and shrubs which constituted his
+diet, was thrust in our faces in every street; and the variegated
+venomous serpent, with his prehensile fangs, and the huge boa
+constrictor, writhing in captivity, were encountered as desirable
+articles of merchandise at every corner.
+
+But the MOSQUITOES at the mouth of the Amazon were perhaps the
+most remarkable, as well as the most bloodthirsty animals which
+abounded in that region.  They were remarkable not only for size,
+but for voracity and numbers.  This insect is a pest in every
+climate.  I have found them troublesome on the bar of the
+Mississippi in the heat of summer; and at the same season
+exceedingly annoying while navigating the Dwina on the way to
+Archangel.  In the low lands of Java they are seen, heard, and
+felt to a degree destructive to comfort; and in certain
+localities in the West Indies are the direct cause of intense
+nervous excitement, loud and bitter denunciations, and fierce
+anathemas.  But the mosquitoes that inhabit the country bordering
+on the mouths of the Amazon must bear away the palm from every
+other portion of the globe.
+
+Every part of our brig was seized upon by these marauding
+insects; no nook or corner was too secluded for their presence,
+and no covering seemed impervious to their bills.  Their numbers
+were at all times incredible; but at the commencement of twilight
+they seemed to increase, and actually formed clouds above the
+deck, or to speak more correctly, one continuous living cloud
+hovered above the deck, and excluded to a certain extent the rays
+of light.
+
+There being no mosquito bars attached to the berths in the
+forecastle, the foretop was the only place in which I could
+procure a few hours repose.  There I took up my lodgings, and my
+rest was seldom disturbed excepting occasionally by the visits of
+a few of the most venturous and aspiring of the mosquito tribe,
+or a copious shower of rain.
+
+An incident, IT WAS SAID, occurred on board a ship in the harbor,
+which, if correctly stated, furnishes a striking proof of the
+countless myriads of mosquitoes which abound in Para.  One of the
+sailors, who occupied a portion of the foretop as a sleeping
+room, unfortunately rolled over the rim of the top one night
+while locked in the embraces of Somnus.  He fell to the deck,
+where he would inevitably have broken his neck were it not for
+the dense body of mosquitoes, closely packed, which hovered over
+the deck, awaiting their turn for a delicious banquet.  This
+elastic body of living insects broke Jack's fall, and let him
+down gently to the deck without doing him harm.
+
+Fortunately it was not necessary to tarry a long time in Para.
+We took on board a cargo of cacao in bulk, and sailed on our
+return to Salem.  As we approached the coast of the United States
+we experienced much cloudy weather, and for several days no
+opportunity offered for observing any unusual phenomena in the
+heavens.  But one pleasant evening, as we were entering the South
+Channel, being on soundings south-east of Nantucket, one of the
+crew, who was leaning over the lee gunwale, was struck with the
+strange appearance of a star, which shone with unusual
+brilliancy, and left a long, broad, and crooked wake behind.
+
+His exclamation of surprise caused every eye to be directed to
+the spot, about fifty-five degrees above the eastern horizon,
+pointed out by our observing shipmate  and there in full view, to
+the admiration of some and the terror of others, the comet of
+1811 stood confessed!
+
+The men indulged in wild speculations respecting the character of
+this mysterious visitor, but all concurred in the belief that it
+was the messenger of a superior power, announcing the coming of
+some fearful national evil, such as a terrible earthquake, a
+devastating pestilence, or a fierce and bloody war.  Our country
+was engaged in a war with a powerful nation within the following
+year; but to those who watched the signs of the times, and
+remembered the capture of the Chesapeake, and were aware of the
+impressment of our seamen, the confiscation of property belonging
+to our citizens captured on the high seas without even a decent
+pretence, and the many indignities heaped on our government and
+people by Great Britain, it needed no gifted seer or celestial
+visitant to foretell that an obstinate war with that haughty
+power was inevitable.
+
+A few days after the discovery of the comet furnished such a
+liberal scope for conjecture and comment in the forecastle and
+the cabin, about the middle of October, 1811, we arrived in
+Salem, having been absent between eight and nine months.
+
+
+Chapter XIII
+SHIP PACKET OF BOSTON
+
+Having been two voyages to the West Indies and one to the
+Brazils, I began to regard myself as a sailor of no little
+experience.  When rigged out in my blue jacket and trousers, with
+a neatly covered straw hat, a black silk kerchief tied jauntily
+around my neck, I felt confidence in my own powers and resources,
+and was ready, and, as I thought, able to grapple with any thing
+in the shape of good or ill fortune that might come along.  I was
+aware that success in life depended on my own energies, and I
+looked forward to a brilliant career in the arduous calling which
+I had embraced.  Like Ancient Pistol, I could say,
+
+"The world's mine oyster,
+Which I with sword will open!"
+
+With this difference, that I proposed to substitute, for the
+present at least, a marlinspike for the sword.
+
+Captain Page invited me to remain by the Clarissa and accompany
+him on a voyage to Gibraltar, but I felt desirous of trying my
+fortune and gain knowledge of my calling in a good ship bound to
+the East Indies, or on a fur-trading voyage to the "north-west
+coast" of America.
+
+At that time the trade with the Indians for furs on the "north-
+west coast" was carried on extensively from Boston.  The ships
+took out tobacco, molasses, blankets, hardware, and trinkets in
+large quantities.  Proceeding around Cape Horn, they entered the
+Pacific Ocean, and on reaching the north-west coast, anchored in
+some of the bays and harbors north of Columbia River.  They were
+visited by canoes from the shore, and traffic commenced.  The
+natives exchanged their furs for articles useful or ornamental.
+The ship went from port to port until a cargo of furs was
+obtained, and then sailed for Canton, and disposed of them to the
+Chinese for silks and teas.  After an absence of a couple of
+years the ship would return to the United States with a cargo
+worth a hundred thousand dollars.  Some of the most eminent
+merchants in Boston, in this way, laid the foundation of their
+fortunes.
+
+This trade was not carried on without risk.  The north-west coast
+of America at that period had not been surveyed; no good charts
+had been constructed, and the shores were lined with reefs and
+sunken rocks, which, added to a climate where boisterous winds
+prevailed, rendered the navigation dangerous.
+
+This traffic was attended with other perils.  The Indians were
+bloodthirsty and treacherous; and it required constant vigilance
+on the part of a ship's company to prevent their carrying into
+execution some deep-laid plan to massacre the crew and gain
+possession of the ship.  For this reason the trading vessels were
+always well armed and strongly manned.  With such means of
+defence, and a reasonable share of prudence on the part of the
+captain, there was but little danger.  But the captain and
+officers were not always prudent.  Deceived by the smiles and
+humility of the natives, they sometimes allowed them to come on
+board in large numbers, when, at a signal from their chief, they
+drew their arms from beneath their garments and commenced the
+work of death.  After they had become masters of the ship, they
+would cut the cables and let her drift ashore, gaining a valuable
+prize in the cargo, in the iron and copper bolts, spikes, and
+nails with which the timbers and planks were fastened together,
+and in the tools, furniture, clothing, and arms.  A number of
+vessels belonging to New England were in this way cut off by the
+savages on the "north-west coast," and unsuccessful attempts were
+made on others.
+
+The "ower true tales" of disasters and massacres on the "north-
+west coast" seemed to invest a voyage to that quarter with a kind
+of magic attraction or fascination as viewed through the medium
+of a youthful imagination; and a voyage of this description would
+give me an opportunity to perfect myself in much which pertained
+to the sailor and navigator.
+
+After a delay of a few weeks the opportunity offered which I so
+eagerly sought.  The ship Packet was preparing for a voyage from
+Boston to the north-west coast via Liverpool, and I succeeded in
+obtaining a situation on board that ship before the mast.  I
+hastened to Boston and took up my temporary abode at a boarding
+house, kept by Mrs. Lillibridge, a widow, in Spring Lane, on or
+near the spot on which the vestry of the Old South Church now
+stands.  I called immediately on the agents, and obtained
+information in relation to the details of the voyage, and
+commenced making the necessary preparations.
+
+Several merchants were interested in this contemplated voyage,
+but the business was transacted by the mercantile house of
+Messrs. Ropes and Pickman, on Central Wharf.  This firm had not
+been long engaged in business.  Indeed, both the partners were
+young men, but they subsequently became well known to the
+community.  Benjamin T. Pickman became interested in politics,
+and rendered good service in the legislature.  On several
+occasions he received marks of the confidence of his fellow-
+citizens in his ability and integrity.  He was elected to the
+Senate, and was chosen president of that body.  He died in 1835.
+Mr. William Ropes, the senior partner of the firm fifty years
+ago, after having pursued an honorable mercantile career at home
+and abroad, occupies at this time a high position as an
+enterprising and successful merchant and a public-spirited
+citizen.
+
+I laid in a good stock of clothes, such as were needed on a
+voyage to that inclement part of the world, provided myself with
+various comforts for a long voyage, and purchased as large an
+assortment of books as my limited funds would allow,   not
+forgetting writing materials, blank journals, and every thing
+requisite for obtaining a good practical knowledge of navigation,
+and of other subjects useful to a shipmaster.
+
+The Packet was a beautiful ship, of about three hundred tons
+burden, originally intended as a regular trader between Boston
+and Liverpool; but in consequence of her superior qualities was
+purchased on the termination of her first voyage for this
+expedition to the north-west coast.  She was to be commanded by
+Daniel C. Bacon, a young, active, and highly intelligent
+shipmaster, who a few years before had sailed as a mate with
+Captain William Sturgis, and had thus studied the principles of
+his profession in a good school, and under a good teacher.  He
+had made one successful voyage to that remote quarter in command
+of a ship.  Captain Bacon, as is known to many of my readers,
+subsequently engaged in mercantile business in Boston, and for
+many years, until his death, not long since, his name was the
+synonyme of mercantile enterprise, honor, and integrity.
+
+The name of the chief mate was Stetson.  He was a tall, bony,
+muscular man, about forty years old.  He had been bred to the
+sea, and had served in every capacity.  He was a thorough sailor,
+and strict disciplinarian; fearless and arbitrary, he had but
+little sympathy with the crew; his main object being to get the
+greatest quantity of work in the shortest possible time.  Stories
+were afloat that he was unfeeling and tyrannical; that fighting
+and flogging were too frequent to be agreeable in ships where he
+was vested with authority.  There were even vague rumors in
+circulation that he indulged occasionally in the unique and
+exciting amusement of shooting at men on the yards when engaged
+in reefing topsails.  These rumors, however, although they
+invested the aspect and conduct of the mate with a singular
+degree of interest, were not confirmed.
+For my own part, although a little startled at the notoriety
+which Mr. Stetson had achieved, I determined to execute my duties
+promptly and faithfully so far as was in my power, to be
+respectful and obedient to my superiors and trustworthy in every
+act, and let the future take care of itself.  Indeed, this is the
+line of conduct I have endeavored to follow in every situation I
+have filled in the course of an eventful life, and I can
+earnestly recommend it to my youthful readers as eminently
+calculated to contribute to their present comfort and insure
+their permanent prosperity.
+
+In a few days the Packet received her cargo, consisting chiefly
+of tobacco and molasses.  It was arranged that she should take on
+board, in Liverpool, bales of blankets and coarse woollen goods,
+and boxes containing various articles of hardware and trinkets,
+such as would be acceptable to the savages on the coast.  The
+ship was hauled into the stream, and being a fine model, freshly
+painted, with royal yards athwart, and colors flying, and signal
+guns being fired night and morning, attracted much notice and was
+the admiration of sailors.  I was proud of my good fortune in
+obtaining a chance before the mast, in such a vessel, bound on
+such a voyage.
+
+The crew was numerous for a ship of three hundred tons,
+consisting of eight able seamen, exclusive of the boatswain, and
+four boys.  Besides a cook and steward we had a captain's clerk,
+an armorer, a carpenter, and a tailor.  The ship's complement,
+all told, consisting of twenty-two.  For an armament we carried
+four handsome carriage guns, besides boarding pikes, cutlasses,
+and muskets in abundance.  We had also many coils of rattling
+stuff, small rope for making boarding nettings, and a good supply
+of gunpowder was deposited in the magazine.
+
+The sailors came on board, or were brought on board by their
+landlords, after we had hauled from the wharf.  Some of them were
+sober and well behaved, others were stupid or crazy from
+intoxication.  It required energy and decision to establish order
+and institute strict rules of discipline among such a
+miscellaneous collection of web-footed gentry.  But Mr. Stetson,
+assisted by Mr. Bachelder, the second mate, was equal to the
+task.  Indeed he was in his element while directing the labors of
+the men, blackguarding this one for his stupidity, anathematizing
+that one for his indolence, and shaking his fist at another, and
+menacing him with rough treatment for his short answers and sulky
+looks.
+
+One of the seamen who had been brought on board nearly dead
+drunk, showed his figure-head above the forescuttle on the
+following morning.   His eyes, preternaturally brilliant, were
+bloodshot, his cheeks were pale and haggard, his long black hair
+was matted, and he seemed a personification of desperation and
+despondency.  Stetson caught a glimpse of his features; even his
+fossilized heart was touched with his appearance and he drove him
+below.
+
+"Down with you!" said he, shaking his brawny fist in the drunken
+man's face, "don't let me see your ugly phiz again for the next
+twenty-four hours.  The sight of it is enough to frighten a land-
+lubber into hysterics, and conjure up a hurricane in the harbor
+before we can let go the sheet anchor.  Down with you; vanish!
+Tumble into your berth!  Take another long and strong nap, and
+then turn out a fresh man, and show yourself a sailor; or you'll
+rue the day when you first tasted salt water!"
+
+The rueful visage disappeared, unable to withstand such a
+broadside, and its owner subsequently proved to be a first-rate
+seaman, and was an especial favorite with Stetson.
+
+A circumstance occurred while the ship was in the stream, where
+she lay at anchor two or three days, which will convey a correct
+ides of the character of the mate.  One afternoon, while all
+hands were busily employed in heaving in the slack of the cable,
+a boat, pulled by two stout, able-bodied men, came alongside.
+One of the men came on board, and addressing the mate, said he
+had a letter which he wished to send to Liverpool.  The mate
+looked hard at the man, and replied in a gruff and surly tone,
+"We can't receive any letters here.  The letter bag is at Ropes
+and Pickman's counting room, and you must leave your letter there
+if you want it to go to Liverpool in this ship."
+
+"Never mind," exclaimed the stranger, "I am acquainted with one
+of the crew, and I will hand it to him."
+
+Regardless of Stetson's threats of vengeance provided he gave the
+letter into the hands of any one on board, the man stepped
+forward to the windlass, and handed the missive to one of the
+sailors.
+
+At this contempt of his authority Stetson's indignation knew no
+bounds.  He roared, in a voice hoarse with passion, "Lay hold of
+that scoundrel, Mr. Bachelder.  Seize the villain by the throat.
+I'll teach im better than to cut his shines in a ship while I
+have charge of the deck.  I'll seize him up to the mizzen
+shrouds, make a spread eagle of him, give him a cool dozen, and
+see how he will like that."
+
+The stranger, witnessing the mate's excitement, and hearing his
+violent language, seemed suddenly conscious that he had been
+guilty of a terrible crime, for which he was liable to be
+punished without trial or jury.  He made a spring over the
+gunwale, and eluded the grasp of Mr. Bachelder, who followed him
+into the main chain-wales, and grabbed one of his coat tails just
+as he was slipping into his boat!
+
+He struggled hard to get away, and his companion raised an oar
+and endeavored to strike the second mate with that ponderous
+club.  The garment by which the stranger was detained,
+fortunately for him, was not made of such firm and solid
+materials as the doublet of Baillie Jarvie when he accompanied
+the Southrons in their invasion of the Highland fastnesses of Rob
+Roy.  The texture, unable to bear the heavy strain, gave way; the
+man slid from the chain-wale into the boat, which was quickly
+shoved off, and the two terrified landsmen pulled away from the
+inhospitable ship with almost superhuman vigor, leaving the coat-
+tail in the hands of the second officer, who waved it as a trophy
+of victory!
+
+Meanwhile Stetson was foaming at the mouth and raving like a
+madman.  He ordered the steward to bring up his pistols to shoot
+the rascals, and when it seemed likely the offenders would
+escape, he called upon me, and another boy, by name, and in
+language neither courteous nor refined told us to haul the ship's
+yawl alongside   and be lively about it.  I instantly entered the
+boat from the taffrail by means of the painter; and in half a
+minute the boat was at the gangway, MANNED by a couple of BOYS,
+and Stetson rushed down the accommodation ladder, with a stout
+hickory stick in his hand, and without seating himself, seized
+the tiller, and with a tremendous oath, ordered us to shove off.
+
+Away we went in full chase after the swiftly-receding boat, my
+young shipmate and myself bending our backs to the work with all
+the strength and skill of which we were master, while Stetson
+stood erect in the stern seats, at one time shaking his stick at
+the affrighted men, and hurling at their heads volleys of curses
+both loud and deep, at another, urging and encouraging us to pull
+harder, or cursing us in turn because we did not gain on the
+chase.  The fugitives were dreadfully alarmed.  They pulled for
+their lives; and the terror stamped on their visages would have
+been ludicrous, had we not known that if we came up with the
+chase a contest would take place that might be attended with
+serious, perhaps fatal, results.
+
+The shore boat had a good start, which gave it an unfair
+advantage, and being propelled by two vigorous MEN, obeying an
+instinctive impulse to escape from an impending danger, kept
+about the same distance ahead.  They steered for Long Wharf   the
+nearest route to TERRA FlRMA   passed the steps on the north
+side, and pulled alongside a schooner which was lying near the T,
+clambered to her decks, leaving the boat to her fate, nimbly
+leaped ashore, took to their heels, and commenced a race up the
+wharf as if the avenger of blood was upon their tracks!
+
+Stetson steered the boat directly for the steps, up which he
+hastily ascended, and ordered me to follow.  As we rounded the
+corner of the adjoining store, we beheld the fugitives leaving us
+at a pace which no sailor could expect to equal.  The man who had
+particularly excited the wrath of the mate took the lead, and cut
+a conspicuous figure with his single coat-tail sticking out
+behind him horizontally like the leg of a loon!
+
+The mate, seeing the hopelessness of further pursuit, suddenly
+stopped, and contented himself with shaking his cudgel at the
+runaways, and muttering between his teeth, "Run, you blackguards,
+run!"
+
+And run they did, until they turned down India Street, and were
+lost to sight.
+
+In a day or two after the occurrence above described, the ship
+Packet started on her voyage to Liverpool.  She was a noble ship,
+well found and furnished in every respect, and, setting aside the
+uncertain temper and eccentricities of the chief mate, well
+officered and manned.
+
+When we passed Boston light house with a fresh northerly breeze,
+one clear and cold morning towards the close of November, in the
+year 1811, bound on a voyage of several years' duration, I
+experienced no regret at leaving my home and native land, and had
+no misgiving in regard to the future.  My spirits rose as the
+majestic dome of the State House diminished in the distance; my
+heart bounded with hope as we entered the waters of Massachusetts
+Bay.  I felt that the path I was destined to travel, although
+perhaps a rugged one, would be a straight and successful one, and
+if not entirely free from thorns, would be liberally sprinkled
+with flowers.
+
+It is wisely ordered by a benignant Providence that man,
+notwithstanding his eager desire to know the secrets of futurity,
+can never penetrate those mysteries.  In some cases, could he
+know the changes which would take place in his condition, the
+misfortunes he would experience, the miseries he would undergo,
+in the lapse of only a few short years, or perhaps months, he
+would shrink like a coward from the conflict, and yield himself
+up to despair.
+
+I could not long indulge in vagaries of the imagination.  In a
+few hours the wind hauled into the north-east, and a short head
+sea rendered the ship exceedingly uneasy.  While busily employed
+in various duties I felt an uncomfortable sensation pervading
+every part of my system.  My head grew dizzy and my limbs grew
+weak; I found, to my utter confusion, that I WAS SEASICK!  I had
+hardly made the humiliating discovery, when the boatswain
+hoarsely issued the unwelcome order, "Lay aloft, lads, and send
+down the royal yards and masts!"
+
+My pride would not allow me to shrink from my duty, and
+especially a duty like this, which belonged to light hands.  And
+while I heartily wished the masts and yards, which added so much
+to the beauty of the ship, and of which I was so proud in port,
+fifty fathoms beneath the keelson, I hastened with my wonted
+alacrity aloft, and commenced the work of sending down the main-
+royal yard.
+
+Seasickness is an unwelcome malady at best.  It not only deprives
+a person of all buoyancy of spirit, but plunges him headlong into
+the gulf of despondency.  His only desire is to remain quiet; to
+stir neither limb nor muscle; to lounge or lie down and muse on
+his unhappy destiny.  If he is urged by a sense of duty to arouse
+himself from this stupor, and occupy himself with labors and
+cares while weighed down by the heavy load, his condition,
+although it may command little sympathy from his companions, is
+truly pitiable.
+
+In my particular case, feeling compelled to mount aloft, and
+attain that "bad eminence," the main-royal mast head, while the
+slender spar was whipping backwards and forwards with every
+plunge of the ship into a heavy head sea, and the visible effect
+produced by every vibration causing me to fear an inverted
+position of my whole internal system, no one can imagine the
+extent of my sufferings.  They were of a nature that Dante would
+eagerly have pounced upon to add to the horrors of his Inferno.
+I felt at times willing to quit my feeble hold of a backstay or
+shroud, and seek repose by diving into the briny billows beneath.
+If I had paused for a moment in my work I should, undoubtedly,
+have failed in its accomplishment.  But Stetson's eye was upon
+me; his voice was heard at times calling out   "Main-royal mast
+head, there!  Bear a hand, and send down that mast!  Why don't
+you bear a hand!"
+
+To this reminder, making a desperate exertion, I promptly
+replied, in a spirited tone, "Ay, ay, sir!"
+
+Diligence was the watchword, and it acted as my preserver.
+
+It often happens that a crew, composed wholly or in part of old
+sailors, will make an experiment on the temper and character of
+the officers at the commencement of the voyage.  When this is the
+case, the first night after leaving port will decide the question
+whether the officers or the men will have command of the ship.
+If the officers are not firm and peremptory; if they are
+deficient in nerve, and fail to rebuke, in a prompt and decided
+manner, aught bordering on insolence or insubordination in the
+outset, farewell to discipline, to good order and harmony, for
+the remainder of the passage.
+
+Captain Bacon was a man of slight figure, gentlemanly exterior,
+and pleasant countenance.  Although his appearance commanded
+respect, it was not calculated to inspire awe; and few would have
+supposed that beneath his quiet physiognomy and benevolent cast
+of features were concealed a fund of energy and determination of
+character which could carry him safely through difficulty and
+danger.
+
+Mr. Bachelder, the second mate, was a young man of intelligence,
+familiar with his duties, and blessed with kind and generous
+feelings.  Unlike Stetson, he was neither a blackguard nor a
+bully.  After some little consultation among the old sailors who
+composed the starboard watch, it was thought advisable to begin
+with him, and ascertain if there was any GRIT in his composition.
+
+It was about six bells   eleven o'clock at night   when the wind
+hauling to the north-west, Mr. Bachelder called out, "Forward
+there!  Lay aft and take a pull of the weather braces."
+
+One of the men, a smart active fellow, who went by the name of
+Jack Robinson, and had been an unsuccessful candidate for the
+office of boatswain, replied in a loud and distinct tone, "Ay,
+ay!"
+
+This was agreed on as the test.  I knew the crisis had come, and
+awaited with painful anxiety the result.
+
+Mr. Bachelder rushed forward into the midst of the group near the
+end of the windlass.
+
+"Who said, 'Ay, ay'?" he inquired, in an angry tone.
+
+"I did," replied Robinson.
+
+"YOU did!  Don't you know how to reply to an officer in a proper
+manner?"
+
+"How SHOULD I reply?" said Robinson, doggedly.
+
+"Say 'Ay, ay, SIR,' when you reply to me," cried Bachelder, in a
+tone of thunder   at the same time seizing him by the collar and
+giving him a shake   "and," continued he, "don't undertake to cut
+any of your shines here, my lad!  If you do, you will be glad to
+die the death of a miserable dog.  Lay aft, men, and round in the
+weather braces!"
+
+"Ay, ay, sir!  Ay, ay, sir!" was the respectful response from
+every side.
+
+The yards were trimmed to the breeze, and when the watch gathered
+again on the forecastle it was unanimously voted that IT WOULD
+NOT DO!
+
+Notwithstanding the decided result of the experiment with the
+second mate, one of the men belonging to the larboard watch,
+named Allen, determined to try conclusions with the captain and
+chief mate, and ascertain how far they would allow the strict
+rules of discipline on shipboard to be infringed.  Allen was a
+powerful fellow, of huge proportions, and tolerably good
+features, which, however, were overshadowed by a truculent
+expression.  Although of a daring disposition, and unused to
+subordination, having served for several years in ships engaged
+in the African slave trade, the nursery of pirates and
+desperadoes, he showed but little wisdom in trying the patience
+of Stetson.
+
+On the second night after leaving port, the ship being under
+double-reefed topsails, the watch was summoned aft to execute
+some duty.  The captain was on deck, and casually remarked to the
+mate, "It blows hard, Mr. Stetson; we may have a regular gale
+before morning!"
+
+Allen at that moment was passing along to WINDWARD of the captain
+and mate.  He stopped, and before Stetson could reply, said in a
+tone of insolent familiarity, "Yes, it blows hard, and will blow
+harder yet!  Well, who cares?  Let it blow and be ______!"
+
+Captain Bacon seemed utterly astonished at the impudence of the
+man; but Stetson, who was equally prompt and energetic on all
+occasions, and who divined the object that Allen had in view, in
+lieu of a civil rejoinder dealt him a blow on the left temple,
+which sent him with violence against the bulwarks.  Allen
+recovered himself, however, and sprang on the mate like a tiger,
+clasped him in his sinewy embrace, and called upon his watchmates
+for assistance.
+
+As Stetson and Allen were both powerful men it is uncertain what
+would have been the result had Stetson fought the battle single-
+handed.  The men looked on, waiting the result, but without
+daring to interfere.  Not so the captain.  When he saw Allen
+attack the mate, he seized a belaying pin, that was loose in the
+fife-rail, and watching his opportunity, gave the refractory
+sailor two or three smart raps over the head and face, which
+embarrassed him amazingly, caused him to release his grasp on the
+mate, and felled him to the deck!
+
+The mate then took a stout rope's end and threshed him until he
+roared for mercy.  The fellow was terribly punished and staggered
+forward, followed by a volley of threats and anathemas.
+
+But the matter did not end here.  At twelve o'clock Allen went
+below, and was loud in his complaints of the barbarous manner in
+which he had been treated.  He swore revenge, and said he would
+lay a plan to get the mate into the forecastle, and then square
+all accounts.   Robinson and another of the starboard watch,
+having no idea that Stetson could be enticed below, approved of
+the suggestion, and intimated that they would lend him a hand if
+necessary.  They did not KNOW Stetson!
+
+When the watch was called at four o'clock Allen did not make his
+appearance.  In about half an hour the voice of Stetson was heard
+at the forescuttle ordering him on deck.
+
+"Ay, ay, sir," said Allen, "I am coming directly."
+
+"You had better do so," said the mate, "if you know when you are
+well off."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir!"
+
+Allen was sitting on a chest, dressed, but did not move.  I was
+lying in my berth attentive to the proceedings, as, I believe
+were all my watchmates.  In about a quarter of an hour Stetson
+took another look down the scuttle, and bellowed out, "Allen, are
+you coming on deck or not?"
+
+"Ay, ay, sir; directly!"
+
+"If I have to go down after you, my good fellow, it will be worse
+for you, that's all."
+
+Allen remained sitting on the chest.  Day began to break.
+Stetson was again heard at the entrance of the forecastle.  His
+patience, of which he had not a large stock, was exhausted.
+
+"Come on deck, this instant, you lazy, lounging, big-shouldered
+renegade!  Will you let other people do your work?  Show your
+broken head and your lovely battered features on deck at once
+in the twinkling of a handspike.  I want to see how you look
+after your frolic!"
+
+"Ay, ay, sir!  I'm coming right up."
+
+"You lie, you rascal.  You don't mean to come! But I'll soon
+settle the question whether you are to have your way in this ship
+or I am to have mine!"
+
+Saying this, Stetson descended the steps which led into the
+habitation of the sailors.  In doing this, under the peculiar
+circumstances, he gave a striking proof of his fearless
+character.  He had reason to anticipate a desperate resistance
+from Allen, while some of the sailors might also be ready to take
+part with their shipmate, if they saw him overmatched; and in
+that dark and close apartment, where no features could be clearly
+distinguished, he would be likely to receive exceedingly rough
+treatment.
+
+Stetson, however, was a man who seldom calculated consequences in
+cases of this kind.  He may have been armed, but he made no
+display of other weapons than his brawny fist.  He seized Allen
+by the collar with a vigorous grasp.  "You scoundrel," said he,
+"what do you mean by this conduct?  Go on deck and attend to your
+duty!  On deck, I say!  Up with you, at once!"
+
+Allen at first held back, hoping that some of his shipmates would
+come to his aid, as they partly promised; but not a man stirred,
+greatly to his disappointment and disgust.  They, doubtless, felt
+it might be unsafe to engage in the quarrels of others; and
+Allen, after receiving a few gentle reminders from the mate in
+the shape of clips on the side of his head and punches among the
+short ribs, preceded the mate on deck.  He was conquered.
+
+The weather was cold and cheerless; the wind was blowing heavy;
+the rain was falling fast; and Allen, who had few clothes, was
+thinly clad; but he was sent aloft in an exposed situation, and
+kept there through the greater part of the day.  His battered
+head, his cut face, his swollen features, and his gory locks told
+the tale of his punishment.  Stetson had no magnanimity in his
+composition.  He cherished a grudge against that man to the end
+of the passage, and lost no opportunity to indulge his hatred and
+vindictiveness.
+
+"Never mind," said Allen, one day, when sent on some useless
+mission in the vicinity of the knight-heads, while the ship was
+plunging violently, and sending cataracts of salt water over the
+bowsprit at every dive; "never mind, it will be only for a single
+passage."
+
+"I know that," said Stetson, with an oath; "and I will take good
+care to 'work you up' well during the passage."  And he was as
+good as his word.
+
+The mate of a ship, especially when the captain is inactive, is
+not properly acquainted with his duties, or is disposed to let
+him pursue his own course, is vested with great authority.  He
+has it in his power to contribute to the comfort of the men, and
+establish that good understanding between the cabin and the
+forecastle which should ever reign in a merchant ship.  But it
+sometimes, unfortunately, happens that the officers of a ship are
+men of amazingly little souls; deficient in manliness of
+character, illiberal in their sentiments, and jealous of their
+authority; and although but little deserving the respect of good
+men, are rigorous in exacting it.  Such men are easily offended,
+take umbrage at trifles, and are unforgiving in their
+resentments.  While they have power to annoy or punish an
+individual from whom they have received real or fancied injuries,
+they do not hesitate to exercise it.
+
+Every seafaring man, of large experience, has often witnessed the
+unpleasant consequences of these old grudges,   of this system of
+punishing a ship's company, by petty annoyances and unceasing
+hard work for some trifling misconduct on the part of one or more
+of the crew during the early part of the voyage.  A master of a
+ship must be aware that the interest of all parties will be
+promoted by harmony on shipboard, which encourages the sailors to
+perform faithfully their manifold duties.  Therefore, a good
+shipmaster will not only be firm, and decided, and just, and
+gentlemanly himself towards his crew, but he will promptly
+interfere to prevent unjust and tyrannical conduct on the part of
+his officers, when they are inexperienced or of a vindictive
+disposition.
+
+When a man is insolent or insubordinate, the punishment or
+rebuke, if any is intended, SHOULD BE PROMPTLY ADMINISTERED.  The
+account against him should not be entered on the books, but
+balanced on the spot.  Whatever is his due should be paid off to
+the last stiver, and there the matter should end, never to be
+again agitated, or even referred to.  This system of petty
+tyranny,   this "working up" of a whole ship's company, or a
+single individual, in order to gratify a vindictive and
+unforgiving spirit,   has been the cause of a deal of trouble and
+unhappiness, and has furnished materials in abundance for "men
+learned in the law."
+
+Sailors are not stocks and stones.  Few of them are so low and
+degraded as not to be able to distinguish the right from the
+wrong.  They are aware of the importance of discipline, and know
+they must submit to its restraints, and render prompt obedience
+to orders from their superiors, without question; yet few of them
+are so deeply imbued with the meek spirit of Christianity as to
+forego remonstrance to injustice or resistance to tyranny.
+
+The Packet proved to be a fast-sailing ship.  The log often
+indicated ten, eleven, and eleven and a half knots.  We had a
+quick but rough passage across the Atlantic, and frequently took
+on board a much larger quantity of salt water than was agreeable
+to those who had berths in her bows.  In four days after leaving
+Boston we reached the Banks of Newfoundland; in eighteen days, we
+struck soundings off Cape Clear; and in twenty-one days, let go
+our anchor in the River Mersey.
+
+
+Chapter XIV
+DISAPPOINTED HOPES
+
+The day succeeding our arrival at Liverpool, having disposed of
+our gunpowder, we hauled into King's Dock, and commenced
+preparations for receiving the remainder of our cargo.  At that
+period there were only four floating docks in Liverpool.  The
+town was not in a prosperous condition.  It had not recovered
+from the shock caused by the abolition of the slave trade.  That
+inhuman traffic had been carried on to a very great extent for
+many years by Liverpool merchants, and, of course, the law
+prohibiting the traffic   a law wise and humane, in itself, but
+injurious to the interests of individuals   was resisted in
+Parliament by all the commercial wealth of Liverpool and Bristol,
+the two principal ports in which the merchants resided who were
+engaged in the slave traffic.  Even in 1811, many fine ships were
+lying idle in the docks, which had been built expressly for that
+business; and their grated air-ports, high and solid bulwarks,
+peculiar hatchways, large and unsightly poops, all gave evidence
+of the expensive arrangements and great importance of the
+"Guineamen" of those days.
+
+It was expected that our cargo would be completed immediately
+after our arrival at Liverpool, and the ship despatched on her
+way around Cape Horn; but the tobacco which we had taken on board
+in Boston, being an article on which an enormous duty was
+exacted, was the cause of trouble and delay.  Consultations with
+the authorities in London were necessary, and weeks elapsed
+before Captain Bacon could get the ship out of the clutches of
+the revenue department.  In the mean time the crew remained by
+the ship, but took their meals at a boarding house on shore, as
+was the custom in Liverpool.  They were all furnished with
+American protections; but some of them, unwilling to rely on the
+protecting power of a paper document, which in their cases told a
+tale of fiction, adopted various expedients to avoid the press-
+gangs which occasionally thridded the streets, and even entered
+dwellings when the doors were unfastened, to capture sailors and
+COMPEL them to VOLUNTEER to serve their king and country.
+
+One of these unfortunate men, after having successfully dodged
+the pressgangs for a fortnight, and living meanwhile in an
+unenviable state of anxiety, was pounced upon by some disguised
+members of a pressgang as he left the boarding house one evening.
+He struggled hard to escape, but was knocked down and dragged off
+to the naval rendezvous.  He was examined the next morning before
+the American consul, but, notwithstanding his protection, his
+citizenship could not be substantiated.  He was in reality a
+Prussian, and of course detained as a lawful prize.  The poor
+fellow lamented his hard destiny with tears.  He knew the
+degrading and unhappy character of the slavery to which he was
+doomed probably for life, and strongly implored Captain Bacon to
+leave no means untried to procure his release; but the captain's
+efforts were in vain.
+
+I was rejoiced when intelligence came that the trouble about the
+tobacco was at an end, and the remainder of the cargo could be
+taken on board.  On the following forenoon the ship was hauled
+stern on to the quay, and the heavy bales of goods, when brought
+down, were tumbled on deck by the crew and rolled along to the
+main hatchway.  I was employed with one of my shipmates in this
+work, when some clumsy fellows who were handling another bale
+behind me pitched it over in such a careless manner that it
+struck my left leg, which it doubled up like a rattan.  I felt
+that my leg was fractured,   indeed, I heard the bone snap,   and
+threw myself on a gun carriage, making wry faces in consequence
+of the pain I suffered.
+
+"Are you MUCH hurt, Hawser?" inquired the chief mate, in a tone
+of irony, and with a grim smile.
+
+"Yes, sir; badly hurt.  I'm afraid my leg is broken."
+
+"Not so bad as that, I hope," exclaimed Stetson, with some
+display of anxiety.  "I guess you are more frightened than hurt.
+Let me look at your leg."
+
+He found my surmises were correct, and expressed more sympathy
+for my misfortune than I could have expected.  I was carried into
+the cabin, and after a short delay conveyed in a carriage to the
+Infirmary or hospital.  When the carriage reached the gateway of
+the Infirmary, the bell was rung by the coachman, and the porter
+made his appearance.  He was a tall, hard-featured, sulky-looking
+man, about fifty years of age, called Thomas; and having held
+that office a number of years, he assumed as many airs, and
+pretended to as much surgical skill, as the professors.
+
+"What's the matter now?" inquired the porter, with a discontented
+growl.
+
+"An accident," replied the coachman.  "This boy has broken his
+leg.  He is a sailor, belonging to an American ship."
+
+"Ah, ha! An American, is he?" added Thomas, with a diabolical
+sneer.  "A Yankee Doodle!  Never mind; we'll take care of him."
+
+I was lifted from the carriage and carried by the ship's armorer,
+very gently, into one of the rooms, the grim-looking porter
+leading the way.  I was placed in an arm chair, and, as the
+surgeon whose duty it was to attend to accidents on that day was
+not immediately forthcoming, the porter undertook to examine the
+fracture.  He proceeded to take off the stocking, which fitted
+rather closely, and the removal of which gave me intolerable
+pain.   I begged him to rip off the garment with a knife, and put
+an end to my torments.  The armorer also remonstrated against his
+unnecessary cruelty, but in vain.  The only reply of the
+grumbling rascal was that the stocking was too good to be
+destroyed, and he never knew a Yankee who could bear pain like a
+man!  He then began, in a cool and business-like manner, to twist
+my foot about, grinding the fractured bones together to
+ascertain, as he said, whether the limb was actually broken!  And
+I verily believe that my complaints and groans, which I did not
+attempt to suppress, were sweet music in his ears.  It was clear
+to me that, for some reason which I could never learn, Mr. Thomas
+owed the whole Yankee nation a grudge, and was ready to pay it
+off on an individual whenever he could get a chance.
+
+After he finished his examination, I looked around the room,
+which was not a large one.  It was number one of the "accident
+ward."  It contained six beds, besides a pallet in a corner for
+the nurse of the ward.  These beds, with two exceptions, were
+occupied by unfortunate beings like myself.  As I was brought in
+among them they gazed upon me earnestly, prompted, I verily
+believe, not only by curiosity, but commiseration for my unhappy
+condition.  The surgeon made his appearance, and succeeded,
+without much difficulty, in setting the limb,   an operation
+which, acknowledging its necessity, I bore with becoming
+fortitude.  I was placed on my back in one of the unoccupied
+beds, with the rather unnecessary caution to lie perfectly still.
+The armorer returned to the ship, and I was left among strangers.
+
+I now had leisure to reflect on my situation.  My hopes of
+visiting the "north-west coast" were suddenly destroyed.  A
+cripple, in a strange land, without money or friends, a cloud
+seemed to rest on my prospects.  During the remainder of the day
+and the succeeding night I suffered much from "the blues."  My
+spirits were out of tune.  The scanty hospital fare that was
+offered me I sent away untouched, and sleep refused to bury my
+senses in forgetfulness until long after the midnight hour.
+This, however, might have been partly owing to the involuntary
+groans and murmurs of unfortunate sufferers in my immediate
+vicinity.  That first day and night wore a sombre aspect, and
+teemed with gloomy forebodings.
+
+In the morning I fell into a kind of doze, and dreamed that I was
+walking in a beautiful meadow, which was traversed by a wide and
+deep ditch.  Wishing to pass to the other side I attempted to
+leap the ditch, but jumped short, and buried myself in mud and
+mire to the waist!  I awoke with a start, which I accompanied
+with a cry of distress.  I had moved the broken limb, and
+furnished more work for the surgeon and suffering for myself.
+
+My gloomy reflections and disquietude of mind did not last long.
+In the morning my attention was attracted by the novelties of my
+situation, and I found much to excite my curiosity and interest
+my feelings.  My "fit of the blues" had passed off to return no
+more.  I had some conversation with a remarkably tall, military-
+looking man, who moved about awkwardly as if he was learning to
+walk upon stilts, or was lame in both legs, which I afterwards
+found to be the case.  He appeared friendly and intelligent, and
+gave me interesting information in relation to the inmates and
+economy of the establishment.
+
+I learned from him that the bed nearest mine, within a few feet
+on the right hand, and the one beyond it, were occupied by two
+boys who were victims of a sad misfortune.  Their intense
+sufferings were the cause of the moans and murmurings I had heard
+during the night.  These boys were apprentices to the rope-making
+business, and a few days before, while spinning ropeyarns, with
+the loose hemp wound in folds around their waists, the youngest,
+a lad about fourteen years old, unwittingly approached an open
+fire, the weather being cold.  A spark ignited the hemp, and in a
+moment the whole was in a blaze.  The other boy, obeying an
+involuntary but generous impulse, rushed to the assistance of his
+companion, only to share his misfortune.  They were both terribly
+burned, and conveyed to the hospital.
+
+Every morning the rations for the day were served out to the
+patients.  The quality of the food, always excepting a dark-
+looking liquid of revolting aspect, known as "beer porridge," and
+which I ate only through fear of starvation was generally good,
+and the quantity was sufficient to keep the patients alive, while
+they had no reason to apprehend ill consequences from a surfeit.
+
+In the course of the forenoon Captain Bacon came to see me.  He
+expressed regret at my misfortune, and tried to console me with
+the assurance that I should be well cared for.  He said the ship
+Packet would sail the next day, that my chest and bedding should
+be sent to the house where the crew had boarded, that HE HAD
+COMMENDED ME TO THE PARTICULAR CONSIDERATION OF THE AMERICAN
+CONSUL, who was his consignee, an would see that I was sent back
+to the United States as soon as I should be in a condition to
+leave the hospital.  He put a silver dollar into my hand, as he
+said to buy some fruit, bade me be of good cheer, and left me to
+my reflections.
+
+In the afternoon of the same day, one of my shipmates, a kind-
+hearted lad, about my own age, called at the hospital to bid me
+farewell.  He regretted the necessity of our separation, and wept
+over the misfortune that had occasioned it.  From him I learned
+that the key of my chest having been left in the lock when I was
+carried from the ship, he feared that Allen and one or two others
+of the crew, who were not liberally supplied with clothing for a
+long voyage, had made free with my property.  He also told me
+that three of the ship's company had deserted, having no
+confidence in the amiable qualities of Mr. Stetson, the chief
+mate; but that Allen, who had been the victim of his
+vindictiveness during the whole passage from Boston, dreading the
+horrors of impressment more than the barbarity of the mate, and
+having a good American protection, had determined to remain by
+the ship!
+
+He told me, further, he was by no means satisfied with the
+character of Stetson, and feared that when again on the ocean he
+would prove a Tartar; and that I had no great reasons to regret
+an accident which would prevent my proceeding on the voyage.
+
+I subsequently learned that Stetson showed his true colors after
+the ship left Liverpool, and owing to his evil deportment and
+tyrannical conduct, there was little peace or comfort for the
+crew during the three years' voyage.
+
+On the third day of my residence in the Infirmary, the
+unfortunate boy who occupied the bed nearest mine appeared to be
+sinking rapidly.  It was sad to witness his sufferings.  His
+mother, a woman in the lowest rank of life, was with him through
+the day.  She eagerly watched every symptom of his illness,
+nursed him with care and tenderness, sought to prepare him for
+the great change which was about to take place; and, a true woman
+and a mother, endeavored to hide her own anguish while she
+ministered to the bodily and spiritual wants of her only child,
+who nobly risked his life to save that of his companion.  I
+watched the proceedings with deep interest through the day, and
+when night came I felt no inclination to sleep.  The groans of
+the unfortunate boy became fainter and fainter, and it was
+evident he would soon be released from his sufferings by the hand
+of death.
+
+At length I became weary with watching, and about eleven o'clock
+fell asleep, in spite of the dying moans of the boy and the half-
+stifled sobs of his mother.  I slept soundly, undisturbed by the
+mournful scenes which were enacted around me.  When I awoke the
+room was lighted only by the rays of an expiring lamp in the
+chimney corner.  No one was moving; not a sound was heard except
+the loud breathing of the inmates, who, their wonted rest having
+been interrupted by this melancholy interlude, had buried their
+pains and anxieties in sleep.
+
+I looked towards the bed where the sufferer lay whose sad fate
+had so attracted my attention and elicited my sympathies a few
+hours before.  His mother was no longer present.  His moans were
+no longer heard.  His form seemed extended motionless on the bed,
+and his head reposed as usual on the pillow.  But I was startled
+at perceiving him staring fixedly at me with eyes preternaturally
+large, and of a cold, glassy, ghastly appearance!  I closed my
+own eyes and turned my head away, while a tremor shook very
+nerve.  Was this an illusion?  Was I laboring under the effects
+of a dream?  Or had my imagination conjured up a spectre?
+
+I looked again.  The eyes, like two full moons, were still there,
+glaring at me with that cold, fixed, maddening expression.   I
+could no longer control my feelings.  If I had been able to use
+my limbs I should have fled from the room.  As that was
+impossible I called loudly to the nurse, and awoke her from a
+sound sleep!  She came muttering to my bedside, and inquired what
+was the matter?
+
+"Look at William's eyes!" said I.  "Is he dead, or is he alive?
+What is the meaning of those horrible-looking, unearthly eyes?
+Why DON'T you speak?"
+
+"Don't be a fool," replied the nurse, sharply, "and let shadows
+frighten you out of your wits."
+
+While I remained in an agony of suspense she leisurely returned
+to the fireplace, took the lamp from the hearth, raised the wick
+to increase the light, and approaching the bedside, held it over
+the body of the occupant.  The boy was dead!  Two large pieces of
+bright copper coin had been placed over the eyes for the purpose
+of closing the lids after death, and the faint and flickering
+reflection of the lamplight, aided, probably, by the excited
+condition of my nervous system, had given them that wild and
+ghastly appearance which had shaken my soul with terror.
+
+For three weeks I lay in my bed, an attentive observer of the
+singular scenes that occurred in my apartment.  I was visited
+every morning by a student in surgery, or "dresser," and twice a
+week by one of the regular surgeons of the establishment while
+going his rounds.  My general health was good, notwithstanding a
+want of that exercise and fresh air to which I had been
+accustomed.  My appetite was remarkable; indeed, my greatest, if
+not only cause of complaint, was the very STINTED QUANTITY of
+daily food that was served out to each individual.  No
+discrimination was observed; the robust young man, with an iron
+constitution, was, so far as related to food, placed on a par
+with the poor invalid, debilitated with protracted suffering or
+dying of inappetency.
+
+In every other situation in which I have been placed I have had
+abundance of food.  Sometimes the food was of a quality
+deplorably wretched, it is true, but such as it was there was
+always enough.  But in the Liverpool Infirmary I experienced the
+miseries of SHORT ALLOWANCE, and had an opportunity to witness
+the effect it produces in ruffling the temper and breeding
+discontent.  It also opened my eyes to the instinctive
+selfishness of man.  Those who were in sound health, with good
+appetites, although apparently endued with a full share of
+affections and sympathies, seemed actually to rejoice when one of
+their companions, through suffering and debility, was unable to
+consume his allowance of bread or porridge, which would be
+distributed among the more healthy inmates of the apartment.
+
+
+Chapter XV
+SCENES IN A HOSPITAL
+
+At the expiration of three weeks the dresser informed me he was
+about to case my fractured limb in splints and bandages, when I
+might quit my mattress, don my garments, and hop about the room
+or seat myself by the fireside.
+
+This was good news, but my joy was somewhat dampened by the
+intelligence that I could not be furnished immediately with a
+pair of crutches, all belonging to the establishment being in
+use.  I borrowed a pair occasionally for a few minutes, from an
+unfortunate individual who was domiciled in my apartment, and
+sometimes I shuffled about for exercise with a stout cane in my
+right hand, and a house-brush, in an inverted position under my
+left arm, in lieu of a crutch.
+
+I witnessed many interesting scenes during my stay in the
+Infirmary, and fell in with some singular individuals, all of
+which showed me phases of human life that I had never dreamed of.
+The tall, military-looking man, with whom I became acquainted
+soon after I entered the establishment, proved to have been a
+soldier.  He had served for years in a regiment of heavy
+dragoons, and attained the rank of corporal.  He had sabred
+Frenchmen by dozens during the unsuccessful campaign in Holland
+under the Duke of York.  He fought his battles over again with
+all the ardor and energy of an Othello, and to an audience as
+attentive, although, it may be, not so high-born or beautiful.
+
+There was also present during my stay a young native of the
+Emerald Isle, who had seen service in the British navy.  In an
+obstinate and bloody battle between English and French squadrons
+off the Island of Lissa, in the Adriatic, about nine months
+before, in which Sir William Hoste achieved a splendid victory,
+his leg had been shattered by a splinter.  After a partial
+recovery he had received his discharge, and was returning to his
+home in "dear Old Ireland," when a relapse took place, and he
+took refuge in the hospital.  He also could tell tales of
+wondrous interest connected with man-of-war life.  He loved to
+talk of his cruises in the Mediterranean, of the whizzing of
+cannon balls, the mutilation of limbs, decks slippery with gore,
+levanters, pressgangs, boatswains' calls, and the cat-o'-nine
+tails of the boatswains' mates.
+
+The patient, from whom I occasionally borrowed a pair of
+crutches, although a pleasant companion, bore upon his person
+unequivocal marks of having met with rough handling on the ocean
+or on the land.  He was MINUS an eye, his nose had been knocked
+athwart-ships to the great injury of his beauty, and a deep scar,
+from a wound made with a bludgeon, adorned one of his temples!  I
+learned that this man, who seemed to have been the football of
+fortune and had received many hard kicks, had never been in the
+army or the navy, that his wounds had been received in CIVIL
+wars, battling with his countrymen.  I was further told by the
+nurse, as a secret, that although he was so amiable among his
+fellow-sufferers in the hospital, when outside the walls, if he
+could obtain a glass of gin or whiskey to raise his temper and
+courage to the STRIKING point, he never passed a day without
+fighting.  He was notorious for his pugnacious propensities; had
+been in the Infirmary more than once for the tokens he had
+received of the prowess of his opponents.  In his battles he
+always came off second best, and was now in the "accident ward"
+in consequence of a broken leg, having been kicked down stairs by
+a gang of rowdies whom he had insulted and defied!
+
+There were also in the Infirmary inmates of a more pacific
+character.  Fortunately for mankind it is not the mission of
+every one to fight.  Among them was a gardener, a poor,
+inoffensive man, advanced in years, who with a cleaver had
+chopped off   accidentally, he said   two fingers of his right
+hand.  The mutilation was intentional without doubt; his object
+having been to procure a claim for subsistence in the Infirmary
+for a time, and afterwards a passport to the poorhouse in Chester
+for life.  He had experienced the ills of poverty; had outlived
+his wife and children; and able to talk well and fluently,
+entertained us with homely but forcible narratives illustrating
+life in the lowest ranks of society.  When his wounds were healed
+he was reluctant to quit his comfortable quarters, and was
+actually driven from the establishment.
+
+Other patients were brought in from time to time, and their
+wounds dressed.  Some were dismissed in a few days; others
+detained for months.  One intelligent young man, an English
+mechanic, was afflicted with a white swelling on his knee and
+suffered intolerable pain.  His sobs and groans through the
+night, which he could not suppress, excited my sympathy, but
+grated harshly on the nerves of my tall friend the corporal of
+dragoons, who expostulated with him seriously on the
+unreasonableness of his conduct, arguing, like the honest tar on
+board the brig Clarissa, that these loud indications of
+suffering, while they afforded no positive relief to the
+sufferer, disturbed the slumbers of those who were free from pain
+or bore it with becoming fortitude.
+
+In the evening, after we had partaken of the regular meal, those
+of us who were able to move about, and to whom I have more
+particularly alluded, would gather around the hearth, a coal fire
+burning in the grate, and pass a couple of hours in conversation,
+in which agreeable occupations, having read much and already seen
+something of the world, I was able to bear a part.  There are few
+persons who are unable to converse, and converse well too, when
+their feelings are enlisted and they labor under no restraint;
+and very few persons so dull and stupid as to fail to receive or
+impart instruction from conversation with others.
+
+Notwithstanding the rules of the infirmary to the contrary, the
+inmates of "number one" were not altogether deprived of the
+advantages and charms of female society.  To say nothing of the
+old nurse, who was a host in gossip herself, her two daughters,
+both young and pretty girls, were sometimes smuggled into the
+Infirmary by the connivance of the grim and trustworthy porter,
+and remained there days at a time, carefully hid away in the
+pantry whenever "the master" or the surgeons went their regular
+rounds, which was always at stated hours.  When the wind raged
+without, and the rain, hail, or snow sought entrance through the
+casement, while sitting near a comfortable fire, listening to
+female prattle and gossip, narratives of incidents of real life,
+discussions on disputed points in politics, philosophy, or
+religion between my friend with the crutches and the tall
+corporal of dragoons, who were both as fond of controversy as Mr.
+Shandy himself; or drinking in with my ears the Irish tar's
+glowing descriptions.
+
+"Of moving accidents by flood and field;
+And of the cannibals that each other eat;
+The anthropophagi, and men whose heads
+Do grow beneath their shoulders!"
+
+I was led to confess there were worse places in the world than
+the Liverpool Infirmary.
+
+After a week's delay I came into possession of a pair of
+crutches, and could move around the room at pleasure, take
+exercise in the hall, and even visit an acquaintance in either of
+the other apartments.  The garden attached to the establishment
+was thrown open to the patients at stated hours on particular
+days.  The season was not inviting; nevertheless, one sunny day,
+accompanied by my lame friend of pugnacious reputation, I visited
+the garden, and rejoiced at finding myself once more in he open
+air.  The ramble on crutches through the lonely walks was truly
+refreshing.  Our spirits mounted to fever heat, and as we
+returned towards the building through the neatly gravelled
+avenue, my companion proposed a race, to which I assented.  I
+have forgotten which won the race; I know we both made capital
+time, and performed to our own satisfaction, but not to the
+satisfaction of others.  The gardener grumbled at the manner in
+which his walks were perforated and disfigured by our crutches.
+He complained to the authorities, and greatly to our regret a
+regulation was adopted by which all persons using crutches were
+forbidden to enter the garden.
+
+I remained six weeks in the Infirmary, and became accustomed to
+the place, and made myself useful in various ways.  I held the
+basin when a patient was let blood; I took charge of the
+instruments and bandages when a serious wound was closed by
+sutures and afterwards dressed; and was particularly busy when a
+fracture was examined or a dislocation reduced.  Indeed I took a
+strange kind of interest in witnessing and aiding in the various
+operations, and was in a fair way to become a good practical
+surgeon, when I was discharged, and found myself a poor sailor,
+friendless, penniless, and lame.  But the surgical knowledge,
+inaccurate and desultory as it was, which I acquired in the
+Liverpool Infirmary, and the power to preserve coolness and
+presence of mind, and minister relief in cases of wounds and
+dangerous diseases, when no medical adviser could be applied to,
+has often since been of valuable service to myself and others.
+
+I took an affectionate farewell of my friends and acquaintances
+in the establishment, not forgetting the nurse and her pretty
+daughters, and, accompanied by the landlord of the house where
+the crew of the ship Packet boarded, passed through the gateway
+without meeting any obstruction on the part of the porter, who,
+on the contrary, grinned his approbation of my departure.
+
+The distance to the boarding house was about half a mile;
+nevertheless I accomplished it easily on crutches without being
+fatigued, and congratulated myself when I passed the threshold
+and arrived at what I considered my home.  But my troubles were
+not ended.  The landlady, who was actually "the head" of the
+house, did not welcome my return with the cordiality I expected.
+She expressed a hope that the American consul would lose no time
+in providing means for my return to the United States, and
+favored me with the interesting information that while the
+regular charge for board without lodging was eighteen shillings a
+week, the American government allowed only twelve shillings a
+week for board and lodging.  The inevitable inference was, that I
+was an unprofitable boarder, and the sooner they got me off their
+hands the better.
+
+Another circumstance was a source of greater chagrin.  When I
+reached the house, one of my first inquiries was for my chest and
+other property which I left in the forecastle of the ship.  My
+chest was safely deposited with the landlord; BUT IT WAS NEARLY
+EMPTY!  To my dismay I found that my stock of clothing for a two
+years' voyage   jackets, boots, hats, blankets, and books   had
+vanished.  A few "old duds" only were left, hardly enough for a
+change of raiment.  The officers had neglected to lock my chest
+and look after my little property; the men were bound on a long
+and tempestuous voyage, some of them scantily furnished with
+clothing; the ship was to sail in a day or two after I was
+carried to the hospital; the temptation was irresistible; they
+helped themselves freely at the expense of their unfortunate
+shipmate!
+
+The United States consul at Liverpool was a merchant, of large
+means and extensive business; a man of great respectability, and
+it was confidently asserted, of generous feelings.  I doubted not
+that when my case was represented to him he would grant me some
+relief, especially as Captain Bacon had recommended me to his
+care.  I had heard nothing from him in the Infirmary.  He was
+notified, officially, of my discharge; and as vessels were every
+day leaving Liverpool for Boston and New York, I expected to be
+immediately provided with a passage to one of those ports.  But
+when days passed away, and I seemed to be forgotten, I mounted my
+crutches one morning and hobbled off through the crowded streets
+to a distant part of the town, in quest of an interview with the
+consul, intending to solicit that assistance to which every
+American citizen in distress was entitled.
+
+With some difficulty, for Liverpool is not a rectangular town, I
+found the counting room of the consul, into which I boldly
+entered, confidently anticipating not only relief but sympathy
+for my misfortune.  My appearance was not prepossessing, as my
+garments, although of the true nautical cut, were neither new nor
+genteel; and although I was in perfect health, my complexion was
+sallow from long confinement.  But these drawbacks on my
+respectability, I thought, under the circumstances, might be
+excused.  I found myself in a comfortable apartment in which two
+or three young men were writing at desks, one of whom, a dapper
+little fellow, dressed with as much precision and neatness as if
+he had just escaped from a bandbox, came towards me with a stern,
+forbidding look, and asked me what I wanted.
+
+"I want to see the American consul."
+
+"The consul is not in."
+
+"When do you expect him?" I inquired, in a tone of
+disappointment.
+
+"'Tis uncertain.  He may not be here today."
+
+"I am sorry, as I have some important business with him."
+
+"What is your important business?" demanded the clerk, in an
+authoritative manner.  "Perhaps I can attend to it."
+
+"I am the young American sailor, who met with an accident on
+board the ship Packet, and was sent to the Infirmary.  I have
+recently been discharged, and am in want of some articles of
+clothing, and particularly a pair of shoes.  I also want to know
+if the consul has taken steps towards procuring me a passage to
+Boston"
+
+"Very IMPORTANT business, truly!" replied the Englishman, with a
+sneer.   "How does it happen that you are so poorly off for
+clothing?"
+
+I explained the circumstances connected with the robbery of my
+chest by my shipmates.
+
+"A likely story!" he exclaimed.  "As to giving you a pair of
+shoes, my fine fellow, that is out of the question.  When any
+step is taken towards sending you to the United States, you, or
+the man you board with, will hear of it."  Saying this, the
+worthy representative of our government, after pointing
+significantly to the door, turned away and resumed his occupation
+at the desk.  Disappointed and shocked at such a reception, I
+ventured to inquire if I should be able to see the consul on the
+following day.
+
+"No," replied the clerk, abruptly, without raising his eyes from
+the desk; "neither tomorrow nor the day after."
+
+I left the counting room, hobbled down the steps, and returned to
+my temporary home, feeling like "the Ancient Mariner," "a sadder
+and a wiser man!"
+
+
+Chapter XVI
+UNITED STATES CONSULS
+
+Weeks passed, and I remained in Liverpool.  I had called several
+times at the consulate, and each time met with the same
+ungracious reception.  I could never see the consul, and began to
+regard him as a myth.  I did not then know that every time I
+called he was seated at his comfortable desk in a room elegantly
+furnished, which was entered from the ante-room occupied by his
+clerks.  Nor could I get any satisfactory information from the
+well-dressed Englishman, his head clerk.  I ventured to ask that
+gentleman one day if Captain Bacon had not left money with Mr.
+Maury for my benefit.  But he seemed astonished at my audacity in
+imagining the possibility of such a thing.
+
+After the lapse of three weeks, a messenger came to my boarding
+house with directions for me to appear at the consulate the next
+morning at nine o'clock precisely.  Full of hope, overjoyed that
+some change was about to take place in my destiny, I impatiently
+awaited the hour in which I was to present myself at the office
+of the American consul, hoping to have an interview with that
+dignitary.  By this time I had thrown aside my crutches, and,
+although owing to the weakness of my fractured limb I limped as
+ungracefully as the swarthy deity who, after being kicked out of
+heaven, set up his blacksmith's shop in the Isle of Lemnos, I
+managed, with the aid of a stout cane, to pass through the
+streets without difficulty.
+
+When I reached the counting room of the consul, I found the
+everlasting clerk at his post, as unfeeling, as authoritative,
+and haughty as ever.  He addressed me at once as follows: "You
+will go directly to Queen's Dock; find the ship Lady Madison of
+New York, and put this letter into the hands of Captain Swain.
+He will give you a passage to New York, where you must take care
+of yourself.  The ship will sail in a day or two.  Be sure to be
+on board when the ship leaves the dock."
+
+I regretted that a passage had not been provided in a vessel
+going directly to Boston.  Ships were leaving Liverpool every day
+for that place.  Nevertheless, I took the letter with a good
+grace, told the clerk I was rejoiced at such good news; that I
+was as much pleased at the idea of leaving Liverpool as he could
+possibly be at getting rid of my complaints.  But I suggested
+that I was not in a condition to WORK MY PASSAGE as was proposed,
+at that inclement season, unless I was furnished with some
+additional clothing,   a pea-jacket, a blanket, and a pair of
+boots or shoes; and I pointed to the shoes on my feet, which were
+little better than a pair of very shabby sandals.
+
+The little deputy listened with impatience to my suggestions.  He
+then wrote something on a slip of paper.  "Here," said he, "is an
+order for a pair of shoes; and it is all you will get!  A pea-
+jacket is out of the question; and as for blankets, I suppose
+you'll find enough on board.  Captain Swain will take care of
+you.  Your passage will not be a long one   only thirty or forty
+days.  I dare say you will live through it; if not, there will be
+no great loss!"  And conscious that he had said a good thing, he
+looked at his fellow-clerks and smiled.
+
+I felt indignant at such treatment, but wisely refrained from
+giving utterance to my feelings, and proceeded directly to the
+Queen's Dock, where I found Captain Swain, and handed him the
+letter.  He read it, crumpled it up and put it in his pocket, and
+then stared fixedly at me, exclaiming, "Well, this is a pretty
+business!  What does the consul mean by sending such a chap as
+YOU home in my ship?  Are there not ships enough in port to take
+you home without singling out mine?"
+
+To this question I could give no satisfactory answer, nor is it
+probable he expected one.  After a further ebullition of wrath he
+honored me with another stare, surveyed me from head to foot, and
+with an air rather rude than polite, gruffly remarked, "Well, I
+suppose I must take you, and make the best of it.  The ship will
+sail the day after tomorrow;" and he turned away, muttering
+something I could not distinctly hear, but which I suspect was
+not complimentary to myself or the American consul.
+
+I returned to my boarding house, and gladdened the master and
+mistress with the intelligence that the consul had at last found
+a ship to take me to the united States.  I packed in my chest the
+few articles my shipmates had considerately left me, not
+forgetting the pair of shoes which the mild-mannered and
+compassionate consular clerk had given me, and made my
+appearance, a most unwelcome guest, on the deck of the Lady
+Madison, as the ship was hauling out of dock.  And thus, without
+articles of clothing necessary to supply my actual wants; without
+bed or bedding; destitute of "small stores," as tea, coffee,
+sugar, etc, which were not furnished the sailors, they receiving
+a certain sum of money instead and supplying themselves, deprived
+of the little comforts which even the most unthrifty seamen will
+provide on a passage across the Atlantic; the victim, not of
+imprudence or vice, but of misfortune; afer a tedious and
+unnecessary delay, I was sent, a stranger, against whom the
+captain and officers were unjustly prejudiced, and, in a crippled
+condition, on board a ship to work my passage to my native land!
+And this was done by the orders and authority of a man who was
+bound by his official duties to render all necessary and
+reasonable relief to Americans in distress!
+
+Were this a solitary instance of the kind I should hardly indulge
+in a passing remark.  But I have reason to believe that such
+cases, caused by the inhumanity or culpable neglect of American
+consuls in foreign ports, are not uncommon.  If such proceedings
+take place under the eye and authority and apparent sanction of a
+man of high character and acknowledged worth, what may we not
+expect from consuls of a different character;   from men who
+never knew a noble impulse; whose bosoms never throbbed with one
+generous feeling?
+
+Our government is not sufficiently circumspect in the appointment
+of consuls.  The office is an important one, and should be given
+to men capable of faithfully executing the duties.  It cannot be
+properly filled by persons whose time is engrossed by business of
+their own, by political partisans, or men who have no practical
+knowledge of mercantile affairs.  American consuls should also be
+supposed to have some sympathy with every class of American
+citizens, and capable of enjoying satisfaction in relieving the
+sufferings of a fellow-creature.  All consular fees should be
+abolished, and the consul should receive from the government a
+yearly compensation, graduated on the importance of his duties.
+
+The Lady Madison was considered a large ship,   being four
+hundred and fifty tons burden.  She belonged to Jacob Barker, now
+a resident of New Orleans, but who was at that time in the zenith
+of his mercantile prosperity, and the owner of ships trading to
+all parts of the globe.  Captain Swain was a native and resident
+of Nantucket, an excellent sailor and a worthy man; and the ship
+was navigated by a crew composed mostly of young and active
+Americans.  The Lady Madison had sailed from Cronstadt bound to
+New York, but met with disasters which compelled her to put into
+Liverpool for repairs.
+
+On joining the Lady Madison I found there was a very natural but
+unjust prejudice existing against me on the part of the officers,
+which it would be difficult to overcome.  I was thrust on board
+by the consul against their wishes, and was entitled to ship room
+and ship's fare, which was reluctantly granted.  I must, however,
+admit that my appearance, with a costume of the "Persian" cut,
+pale and sickly visage and a halting gait, an air of dejection
+caused by misfortune and diffidence, was not prepossessing, but
+verged strongly on the vagabond order.  It is, therefore, not
+surprising that when I stepped on deck I was looked upon as an
+intruder, and instead of being greeted with smiles and words of
+encouragement, of which I was greatly in need, received looks
+which would have chilled an icicle, and frowns which made me feel
+all my insignificance.
+
+I should probably have found little sympathy among the sailors
+had I not met among them an old acquaintance.  A young man named
+Giddings, on hearing my name mentioned, regarded me with a degree
+of interest that surprised me.  After staring at me a few
+minutes, he inquired if I had not once lived in Rockingham
+county, New Hampshire.  On my replying in the affirmative, he
+introduced himself as an old schoolmate, a native of Exeter, from
+which, having chosen a sailor's life, he had been absent for
+years.
+
+I rejoiced at finding a friend, and soon realized the truth of
+the good old proverb, "a friend in need is a friend indeed."
+Through his influence and representation the crew were disposed
+to look upon me in a favorable light.  He gave me the privilege
+of using his berth and his blankets during my watch below; he
+loaned me a monkey jacket in stormy weather, and shared with me
+his "small stores," of which he had a good supply.  More than all
+this, he encouraged me to keep a stout heart and "stiff upper
+lip," assuring me that all would come right in the end.  Had it
+not been for that kind-hearted young man, my condition on board
+the ship must have been wretched.  I have often witnessed the
+disgraceful fact, that when a man is DOWN every one seems
+determined TO KEEP HIM DOWN!  If a poor fellow received a kick
+from fortune, every man he meets with will give him another kick
+for that very reason!
+
+Captain Swain never deigned to notice me in any way, and the
+chief mate followed his example so far as was practicable.  The
+second mate's name was Cathcart.  He was man of inferior
+capacity, ignorant, and coarse.  As I was looked upon as a sort
+of "black sheep" in the flock, and was in the second mate's
+watch, that officer imagined he could, with impunity, make me a
+target for his vulgar jokes, and practised on me a line of
+conduct which he dared not pratise on others.  A day or two after
+we left Liverpool, he took occasion, when several of the crew
+were standing by, to make my rather quaint NAME the subject of
+some offensive remarks.  My indignation was roused at such
+ungentlemanly conduct, and I retorted with a degree of bitterness
+as well as imprudence that surprised myself as well as others.
+
+"My name?" said I; "you object to MY name!  Look at home!  My
+name is a quiet name, a sensible name, surrounded with pleasant
+associations, and easily spoken, which is more than can be said
+of yours.  Ca-a-th-ca-r-r-t!  There is neither sense, meaning,
+nor beauty in that name.  Why," continued I, making strange
+grimaces, "one cannot speak it without twisting the mouth into
+kinks and cuckold's necks without number.  Ca-a-th-c-a-a-rt!  I
+would sooner be called Tantarabogus."
+
+This turned the laugh against him.  He made no reply, but no
+longer annoyed me with his coarse jokes, and the respectable
+epithet of "Tantarabogus" stuck to him until our arrival in New
+York.
+
+The ship Lady Madison left Liverpool about the 17th of March,
+1812.   The wind had been blowing a long time from the westward,
+with occasional gales which prevented vessels from getting to
+sea; and we sailed in company with a large fleet of merchant
+ships at the commencement of a change of wind.  We left the
+Mersey with a fine breeze and soon passed the headmost vessels in
+the fleet.  Our ship was large, a fine model, newly coppered,
+well provided with sails, and having left part of her cargo in
+Liverpool was in good ballast trim, and slipped through the water
+like a fish.
+
+For eight days this easterly wind continued, the ship sometimes
+carrying top-gallant sails and a fore-topmast studding sail, and
+sometimes running directly before the wind under double-reefed
+topsails and foresail, progressing at the rate of ten, eleven,
+and eleven and a half knots.  Chronometers were unknown in those
+days, and lunar observations, owing to the cloudy weather and
+other causes, could not be taken during the passage.  It is,
+therefore, not remarkable that under the circumstances, and with
+a heavy sea following the ship, the judgment of the navigators
+was at fault and the ship overran her reckoning.
+
+On the eighth day after the Lady Madison left the dock, the
+atmosphere being hazy and the temperature unusually cool, I was
+standing on the lee side of the forecastle when something afar
+off on the bow caught my eye.  It looked like a massive fortress
+on a mountain rock of crystal.  Its appearance, different from
+anything I had ever seen on the ocean, excited my wonder.  Could
+it be a cloud?  I pointed it out to one of my watchmates, who,
+being familiar with such appearances, instantly called out, "Ice,
+ho!"
+
+There was a commotion throughout the ship.  "Ice!" exclaimed the
+captain, rushing up the companion-way, spyglass in hand.  "Ice!
+Where-away?  'Tis impossible!  We cannot be near the Grand Bank!"
+
+The ice island was now clearly perceptible, looming up through
+the thin fog, "a fixed fact," which could not be shaken.  We were
+on the eastern edge of the Bank of Newfoundland.  In eight days
+the ship had run nearly two thousand miles.  Although this may
+not be considered a remarkable feat for a modern clipper of giant
+proportions, it was an instance of fast sailing and favorable
+breezes seldom exceeded in those days.
+
+Had the wind continued unchanged in strength or direction after
+we reached the Bank, we should have made the passage to New York
+in twelve days.  But its force was spent.  Instead of feeling
+grateful and expressing satisfaction at such a noble run, the
+captain, and I believe every man on board, as is usual in such
+cases, grumbled intolerably when the change took place!  Head
+winds and calms prevailed, and ten days elapsed before we greeted
+the highlands of Neversink.  We passed inside of Sandy Hook on
+the 4th of April 1812, having made a passage of eighteen days
+from Liverpool to anchorage off the Battery!
+
+While beating through the narrows we passed the ship Honestus,
+which sailed from Liverpool about forty days before the Lady
+Madison left that port, and had been battling with head winds the
+whole distance across the Atlantic.
+
+
+Chapter XVII
+ADRIFT IN NEW YORK
+
+When the ship Lady Madison arrived in New York there was quite a
+stir among the mercantile community.  Congress was engaged in
+important deliberations, and it was whispered, that in secret
+session, an embargo was about to be laid on American vessels in
+every port in the United States as a preparatory step to a
+declaration of war against Great Britain.
+
+The passage of an "embargo act" was generally expected; but many
+persons, who had full faith in the more than Christian patience
+and forbearance of our government, believed there would be no
+war, notwithstanding the insults heaped upon American citizens,
+the piratical aggressions on our commerce, and the contumely and
+contempt in which our government and our flag, during a series of
+years, had been everywhere held by British authorities, as shown
+in the capture of the Chesapeake, and a multitude of kindred
+acts, each of which, as a knowledge of them travelled through the
+land, should have produced the effect of a "fiery cross," and
+kindled into a fierce and living flame every spark of patriotism
+existing in the bosoms of our countrymen.
+
+There was great commotion on the wharves.  "The embargo is
+coming," said one excited individual.  "The act is already
+passed!" said another.  Merchants were busy fitting away their
+ships to every quarter of the globe; the piers and wharves were
+lumbered with goods and produce of every description; the work
+was busily carried on night and day; fabulous prices were paid to
+laborers; in many cases the cargoes were thrown on board, tumbled
+into the hold, or piled on the decks, and the ship was "cleared"
+at the custom house, got under weigh, and anchored in the offing,
+where, beyond the jurisdiction of the United states, her stores
+and what remained of her cargo were SMUGGLED on board at leisure.
+
+On reaching New York I again found myself in a strange city,
+without money or friends.  I went with Giddings and some of his
+shipmates to a sailor boarding house in Dover Street, kept by a
+German named Hansen.  At the recommendation of Giddings, the
+landlord received me, although with reluctance, as I had no
+visible means of paying for my board.  Giddings and his friends
+shipped the following day for another voyage in the Lady Madison,
+which ship left the harbor for Liverpool on the evening previous
+to the reception of the news of the passage of the "embargo act,"
+which, by some mysterious influence, had been strangely delayed.
+The Lady Madison remained at anchor, for at least a fortnight,
+nine or ten miles outside of Sandy Hook, when, having taken on
+board those portions of her cargo THAT HAD BEEN FORGOTTEN, SHE
+PROCEEDED ON HER VOYAGE.
+
+My condition at this time furnished a striking contrast with my
+condition when I left Boston not five months before.
+Disappointment had laid on my spirits a heavy hand, and there
+were no particularly cheering scenes in perspective.  I would
+gladly have returned to my home, there to have recovered the full
+use of my fractured limb before I embarked on any new enterprise.
+But I had no means of getting from New York to Boston, and
+through a feeling of pride, far from commendable, I was unwilling
+to make application to my relatives for pecuniary assistance.  I
+did not even write to inform them of my return to the United
+States.
+
+The question now came up, "What shall I do to improve my
+condition and gain a livelihood?  Lame as I was, I dared not
+undertake to ship in a square-rigged vessel, or even a "topsail
+schooner," where it might often be necessary to go aloft.  I
+tried to get a berth in a coaster, or small vessel trading to the
+West Indies, where gymnastic feats would not be required.  I
+applied to many skippers but without success.  Even the proud
+captain of a rusty-looking old craft, that could hardly be kept
+afloat in the harbor, looked sour and sulky, and shook his head
+with as much significance as Lord Burleigh himself, when I
+inquired if he was in want of a hand!  Either my looks were
+unpromising, or this class of vessels were well supplied with
+men.  In the mean time my board bill was running up, and my
+landlord looked as grave as an oyster, and his manners were as
+rough as the outside of the shell.
+
+Passing through Maiden Lane one day, I saw a gentleman whom I had
+formerly known, standing in the doorway of a bookstore.  I had
+boarded in his family several weeks after my recovery from fever
+and ague.  He, as well as his wife, at that time professed a
+strong interest in my prosperity.  When I left them, and entered
+on my voyage to South America in the Clarissa, they bade me
+farewell with protestations of an affection as warm and enduring
+as if I had been a near and dear relative.  It is therefore not
+wonderful that when I spied Mr. Robinson my heart yearned towards
+him.  I had encountered a friend in that overgrown city; I saw a
+familiar face   the first for many months.  Without CALCULATING
+whether he could be of service to me, or whether it was proper to
+appear before him in apparel more remarkable for its antiquity
+and simplicity than its gentility, I obeyed the dictates of an
+honest heart, rushed towards him, and grasped his hand.
+Perceiving his astonishment, and that he was about to reprove my
+unauthorized familiarity, I mentioned my name.
+
+"It is no wonder you don't recollect me," said I; "I have met
+with the rubbers, and must have greatly changed since you saw me
+last.  Indeed, I am now rather hard up.  Nothing to do, and not a
+cent in my pocket.  It rejoices me to meet an old acquaintance.
+
+The smile of recognition with which Robinson received the
+announcement of my name, vanished like a torch quenched in the
+ocean when he heard of my penniless condition.  He nevertheless
+put a tolerably good face on the matter, invited me into his
+store, said he had lived in New York about nine months, asked me
+several commonplace questions, and at last, turning away as if he
+had more important business to attend to, desired me to drop in
+and see him occasionally.
+
+Not dreaming that he would be otherwise than delighted to see me
+at his house, I bluntly asked him where he lived.
+
+"O," said he, in a careless manner, "I LIVE away up in the
+Bowery, but my place of business is HERE; and when you have
+nothing better to do, give me a call, I shall always be glad to
+see you!"
+
+And my cold-hearted, calculating friend, who feared I should make
+an appeal to his pockets, gave me quite a polite bow, and thus
+taught me a lesson in the fashionable accomplishment of bowing a
+troublesome acquaintance into the street!
+
+A few days after this, as I was walking in Broadway, musing on my
+condition, and convinced of the truth of the saying that "there
+is no solitude so complete as in the midst of a great city," but
+firmly believing that something would soon "turn up," I saw on
+the sidewalk an elegant and costly breastpin, which must have
+belonged to a fashionable lady.  I gladly seized the glittering
+prize and bore it away, exulting in my good fortune.  Although I
+intended to spare no pains to find the owner, I trusted the
+incident might in some way contribute to my advantage.  I showed
+the pin in triumph to the wife of my landlord, a shrewd woman,
+not over-scrupulous, and well skilled in the art of turning
+little events to her own profit, and explained the circumstances
+under which it came into my possession.
+
+"This is indeed wonderful!" she exclaimed, holding up her hands.
+"How fortunate that you, of all persons, should have found this
+costly ornament!  It belongs to Mrs. Johnson, a dear friend of
+mine, who lives just over the way!  It must be   it is   the
+same.  I know it.  I have seen it a thousand times.  She was here
+not five minutes ago, lamenting the loss of it.  How overjoyed
+she will be when she knows it is found!  I will send to her
+directly, and make her happy with the news."
+
+Mrs. Hansen disappeared, leaving me, I am afraid, looking rather
+confounded at this singular and unexpected COINCIDENCE, and
+almost sorry that the owner of the pin had been so easily
+discovered.  In a few minutes Mrs. Hansen returned, accompanied
+by "her dear friend," Mrs. Johnson, who, after examining the pin,
+said it was her own.  She thanked me for having found it, was in
+raptures with her good fortune, declared she should never forget
+she was indebted to me, then in a business-like manner placed the
+rich ornament on her bosom, where it seemed as much out of place
+"as a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear," and hastily walked off with
+the prize before I could recover from my astonishment!  I was a
+stranger to the ways of the world, and it did not occur to me,
+until years afterwards, that this was an IMPROMPTU comedy,
+ingeniously devised and skilfully performed by two capital
+actresses, for the purpose of swindling me out of the jewel!
+
+A day or two after the adventure of the breastpin, my landlord
+represented to me, with much gravity, that I had been living with
+him above a fortnight, had not paid a cent towards my board, and,
+so far as he could see, there was no prospect that I ever would
+pay any.  This state of things, I must be sensible, could not
+last forever.
+
+I told him, in reply, that I was every day becoming more able to
+do a seaman's duty' that, as he well knew, I had tried to find a
+berth in a coaster, but none was to be had; that I was confident
+I should at some future time pay him, principal and interest, for
+all his expense and trouble, and he might rely on my promise.
+
+Hansen rejoined, with a derisive smile, that it was not his
+custom to give credit, or rely upon promises; that I must find
+something to do, or he should be compelled to turn me out of his
+house!  "Did you ever do any thing but go to sea?" he asked
+abruptly.
+
+"O, yes," said I, "I was brought up on a farm, and understand all
+kinds of farming work."
+
+"If that's the case," continued he, "your business is done.
+There are fine farms in Brooklyn, within sight of the ferry.  All
+our best vegetables and fruit are raised on those farms.  It is
+now the spring of the year, when farm laborers are wanted.  You
+had better go over to Brooklyn and find work on a farm."
+
+"That I'll do with pleasure," said I; "but I have no money to pay
+my fare over the ferry."
+
+"Never mind, I'll lend you a couple of sixpences, and charge them
+in your account.  You had better go tomorrow, and take the whole
+day before you."  Accordingly on the following day I started for
+Long Island in quest of work as a day laborer on a farm.
+
+At that time Brooklyn was not, as now, a large, populous, and
+thriving city.  It was a small, sparsely-settled village; and the
+vast extent of land which is now laid out in streets and squares,
+and covered with costly edifices, was then improved for gardens,
+orchards, and farms.  I landed from the ferry boat and took my
+way along the public highway which led towards the interior of
+the island.  The rural aspect of a cultivated country, after
+having my view confined for many months to salt water and the
+unseemly masses of brick and mortar called cities, gladdened my
+heart; and I determined, in a spirit of true philosophy, to give
+vain cares and regrets to the wind, and pass one pleasant day in
+rambling about that agricultural district.
+
+My efforts to obtain employment were not attended with success.
+My sailor costume, my pale features, and my constitutional
+diffidence, which has always been a drag in my efforts to press
+forward in the world, served me not as a letter of recommendation
+among the shrewd and money-making farmers and gardeners of Long
+Island.  Indeed, to my mortification, I found that a blue jacket
+and loose trousers, when worn by a weather-beaten or bronzed-
+visaged wayfarer, were looked upon as PRIMA FACIE evidence that
+"he was no better than he should be."  One of the farmers to whom
+I applied, after questioning me about my ability to work on a
+farm, came to the conclusion that he did not require any
+additional help; another wanted a hand, but I was not stout
+enough for his purpose; a third expressed a belief that I was an
+impostor, and knew nothing about farming work; and a fourth,
+after cross-questioning me until I felt assured he was satisfied
+with my character and capacity, graciously informed me I might
+stay a week or so on trial, and if I worked well perhaps he would
+give me my board through the summer!  My case was a desperate
+one, and I might have acceded to his proposal if he had not
+unguardedly added that I should have to sleep in a cockloft in
+the shed!  And thus I wandered about that part of the island the
+whole day, and returned to my boarding house towards dark,
+fatigued, hungry, and unsuccessful.  I told Hansen the result of
+my day's labor.  He looked disappointed and angry.
+
+"You did not try!" said he.  "I don't believe you said one word
+for yourself.  There is one more shilling gone for nothing.  But
+you must pretty quick find something to do."
+
+The next day, when I returned home after my daily jaunt around
+the wharves in search of employment, Hansen met me with a smile,
+and introduced me to Stephen Schmidt, a thickset Dutchman, with
+little gray eyes, and capacious cheeks, of a color which proved
+he was a dear lover of schnapps.  Schmidt claimed to be a native
+of Hudson; his ancestors were Dutch, and Dutch was the sole
+language of his early days.  He had been several years employed
+in the North River sloops, but for the last six months had been
+in a coaster.  Wearied of this kind of life and afraid of
+impressment, as his English pronunciation was strongly tinctured
+with the gutturals of a genuine Knickerbocker, and British ships-
+of-war swarmed along our coast, he had made up his mind to return
+to his home on the banks of the Hudson, and try his hand at
+cultivating cabbages and manufacturing SAUER KRAUT!  A man was
+wanted in his place on board the coasting vessel and Hansen had
+persuaded Schmidt to use his influence with the captain to
+procure me the enviable situation.
+
+I cared not a rush what kind of vessel this coaster was, whether
+old or new, bound on a cruise to New Orleans or Baffin's Bay; nor
+did I care whether the captain was a gentleman or a clown; a
+worthy man or an ignorant bully.  I was anxious to obtain the
+vacant situation, and feared that the captain, following the
+fashion of the Long Island farmers, would not like the cut of my
+jib.  I learned, however, that the schooner was a comfortable
+vessel, about a hundred tons burden, called the Mary, belonging
+to Newbern in North Carolina.  The name of the captain was
+Thompson.  The schooner was taking in cargo for Newbern, and
+would soon be ready for sea.  Towards evening I accompanied
+Schmidt to the wharf where the Mary lay, and went on board, my
+bosom agitated with hopes and fears.  The captain was on deck, a
+sturdy, rough-looking man.  Schmidt went boldly up to him.
+"Captain Thompson," said he, "this is the man I spoke to you
+about this morning to take my place."
+
+"This the man?" said the captain, abruptly.  "Why, this is a boy!
+He's lame, too, and looks sickly.  He will never do for me!"
+
+It was time for me to speak; and I made a bold effort to overcome
+my diffidence.  "Sir," said I, "a few months ago I had the
+misfortune to break my leg in Liverpool, and was sent home by the
+American consul.  The limb is nearly well; but I don't feel able
+to ship in a square-rigged vessel.  But, sir, I am in good
+health; I want employment; I can do as good a day's work as any
+man on board your schooner.   You will find me active,
+industrious, and faithful.  You may rely on it, sir, you will
+never have cause to repent giving me the berth."
+
+Captain Thompson eyed me sharply a few moments without saying a
+word.  After he had completed the examination of my person, he
+mildly inquired, "How much wages do you expect?"
+
+"Whatever you may think I am worth, sir," said I.  "I owe my
+landlord for three weeks board; but he will have to trust me for
+a part of it until I come back to New York.  I am but poorly off
+for clothes, but that is of no consequence; summer is coming."
+
+"You seem to be in a tight place, young man," said the kind-
+hearted captain. "Come on board with your rattletraps tomorrow.
+I'll soon find out what you are made of."
+
+I returned home with a light heart, and rejoiced Hansen with the
+intelligence that I had become one of the crew of the Mary.  I
+promised him every cent of my advance wages.  With this he was
+obliged to be content, but declared his intention to keep my
+chest, my books, and other articles of trifling value, as
+security for the remainder of my board.  To this I made no
+objection, thinking it reasonable enough.  But Captain Thompson,
+the next day, when I received my half month's pay in advance, and
+informed him of my arrangements, called me a fool, and inveighed
+in bitter terms against the whole race of sailor landlords.
+
+I took nothing with me on board the Mary but a change of clothing
+and a few articles of trifling value, packed in an old pillow
+case, loaned me by my landlady, with strict injunctions to return
+it if I ever came back to New York.  I was overjoyed to think I
+had found employment, and could gain a subsistence by my own
+labors.  I was sure of a home for a few weeks, until I should
+recover from the effects of my mishap, when I hoped to be above
+the necessity of asking favors.
+
+The mate, whose name was Pierce, received me in a surly manner.
+He evidently thought Captain Thompson did a foolish act in
+shipping such "a useless piece of lumber" as myself.  The crew,
+however, gave me a hearty reception, which placed me at my ease.
+I found the crew to consist of two young men, not much older than
+myself, and a negro boy.  The two men were swarthy sons of North
+Carolina, born near Cape Hatteras; good-hearted, ignorant, lazy,
+careless fellows, who liked good living and clear comfort better
+than hard work.  The cook was of the genuine African type; and
+when not employed in serious work about the camboose, was
+throwing off the exuberance of his good humor in peals of
+laughter.  Taken together, they were a set of jolly fellows, and
+I rejoiced that my lot was cast among them.  My spirits, which
+had been below zero for some time, in spite of my philosophy,
+took a sudden rise immediately, notwithstanding the sullen humor
+of the mate, who, like Cassius, had "a lean and hungry look," and
+never even indulged in a smile.  He manifested a singular
+antipathy towards me in all his acts.
+
+Some animals seem to have a bitter hatred against those of their
+own kind which are the victims of accident or misfortune.  A
+wolf, wounded by hunters, is torn in pieces by the pack; and a
+porpoise, if struck and mangled by a harpoon, is pursued by the
+whole shoal, and put to death without mercy.  We sometimes find
+human beings possessed of such savage attributes.  They pay court
+to wealth and power, but when they find a fellow-being stricken
+to the earth by misfortune or sickness, imbibe a prejudice
+against him, and instead of stretching forth a kind and open hand
+to relieve, will be more likely to shake a clinched fist in his
+face.
+
+
+Chapter XVIII
+SCHOONER MARY OF NEWBERN
+
+We cast loose from the wharf the following day, about the 20th of
+April, 1812, and proceeded down the harbor.  But the wind coming
+from the eastward, we anchored above the Narrows.  I was soon
+convinced that Captain Thompson was no driver.  Although
+originally a Massachusetts man, he had lived long enough in
+southern climates to acquire indolent habits.  When the wind was
+ahead, if on anchorage ground, he would let go an anchor, rather
+than take the trouble of beating to windward for what he
+considered the trifling object of saving a day or two in the
+passage!  "Have patience and the wind will change," was his
+motto.  He was not the only shipmaster I have met with who was in
+the habit of looking after his own comfort as well as the
+interest of his employer.
+
+The wind was favorable the next day, and we glided past Sandy
+Hook and entered on the broad ocean.  Away we went to the
+southward with the wind abeam, blowing a strong breeze from the
+westward.  The captain took the helm, and all hands were employed
+in clearing the decks and putting things in order; Mr. Pierce
+being particularly active in the work, saying but little, and
+looking unusually solemn.
+
+I was on the weather side of the main deck, securing the lashings
+of the long-boat, when I heard a splash in the water to leeward;
+at the same moment the cook shouted out, with all the power of
+his African lungs, "Goramity!  Mr. Pierce is fell overboard!"
+
+"The mate is overboard!  The mate is overboard!" was now the cry
+from every mouth.
+
+"Hard-a-lee!" screamed the skipper, and at the same instant
+executed the order himself by jamming the tiller hard down to
+leeward.  "Haul the fore sheet to windward!  Clear away the long-
+boat!  Be handy, lads! We'll save the poor fellow yet."
+
+And then the captain shouted to the unfortunate man, as he was
+seen not far off in the wake, "Be of good cheer!  Keep your head
+up!  No danger!  We'll soon be alongside!"
+
+I seized the cook's axe and cut away the lashings of the boat,
+and in a space of time incredibly brief, the boat was lifted from
+the chocks by main strength and launched over the side.  We were
+about to shove off to the struggling mate, when Captain Thompson,
+who had not taken his eyes from the man after he had fallen
+overboard, and kept making signs and giving him words of
+encouragement, exclaimed, in a mournful tone, "Avast there with
+the boat!  'Tis no use.  He's gone   he's sunk, and out of sight.
+We shall never see him again!  Poor fellow   poor fellow!  May
+the Lord have mercy on him!"
+
+It appeared that Mr. Pierce had stepped on the lee gunwale for
+the purpose of grasping a rope that was loose.  His left hand was
+on one of the main shrouds, when a sudden lurch disengaged his
+grasp and precipitated him into the water.  He was not a hundred
+yards from the schooner when he disappeared.  Whether his body
+struck against the side of the vessel as he fell and he was thus
+deprived of the full use of his limbs, whether he was panic-
+struck at the fate which appeared to await him, or unable to
+swim, we could never learn.  The simple, solemn fact, however,
+was before us in all its terrible significance.  The man who, a
+few moments before, stood on the deck of the Schooner Mary,
+strong, healthy, and in the meridian of life, was no longer with
+us.  He was removed without warning; buried in the depths of the
+ocean; cut off by some mysterious agency,
+"And sent to his account
+With all his imperfections on his head."
+
+Soon after this sad accident, when we had taken in the long-boat,
+trimmed the sails, and were pursuing our way towards Cape
+Hatteras, the captain, with a solemn look, called me to the helm
+and went into the cabin, where he undoubtedly found consolation
+in the embrace of an intimate but treacherous friend.  Indeed, on
+his return to the deck, a few minutes afterwards, I had olfactory
+demonstration that he and the brandy bottle had been in close
+communion!  Captain Thompson had hardly spoken to me since we
+left the wharf in New York.  He had now got his "talking tacks"
+on board, and was sociable enough.
+
+"Hawser," said he, with a sigh, "this is a serious and sad thing,
+this death of poor Pierce.  It might be your fate or mine at any
+time as easily as his.  He was just from Liverpool, having been
+shipwrecked on the English coast, and on his way home to
+Washington, expecting to see his wife and children in a few days.
+Poor fellow!  This will be a terrible blow to his family and
+friends.  His fate, so sudden, is enough to make any man who IS a
+man, think seriously of his 'better end'   of what may become of
+him hereafter!"  He clinched this remark, which he delivered with
+much energy, with an oath that almost made my hair stand on end,
+and struck me at the time as being singularly out of place in
+that connection.
+
+With another deep-drawn sigh he dismissed the subject, and did
+not again allude to it.  He spoke of the "embargo act," of
+various ingenious modes of evading it, and of the prospect of a
+war with England; and made some assertion in relation to
+proceedings in Congress, which, in a respectful manner, but to
+his great astonishment, I ventured to dispute on the authority of
+a paragraph I had seen in a New York newspaper a few days before.
+The captain, after gravely staring me in the face a moment, as
+much as to say, "What do YOU know about newspapers or politics?"
+inquired the name of the newspaper I was talking about.
+
+I mentioned the name of the paper.  "Well," said he, "I have that
+paper, with others, in a bundle in the cabin   so that matter can
+be soon settled."
+
+Down he went into the cabin, leaving me not a little alarmed at
+his conduct.  Thinks I to myself, "Can he be offended because a
+vagabond like myself has dared to differ with him on a question
+of fact?"
+
+He soon appeared on deck with a large bundle of newspapers, which
+he put into my hands, at the same time taking possession of the
+tiller.  "There," said he, "find the newspaper you were speaking
+of and pick out the paragraph, IF YOU CAN."
+
+From my earliest boyhood I had manifested a strong attachment for
+newspapers.  It may have been that, not finding other means to
+gratify my thirst for reading, I read every newspaper that came
+in my way; and as I was blessed with a good memory, I always kept
+tolerably well posted in regard to the current news of the day.
+I opened the bundle and promptly singled out the newspaper in
+question, and pointing to a paragraph with my finger, said,
+"There, sir, you may see for yourself."
+
+The captain seemed astonished.  He did not take the paper from my
+hands.  "My eyes," said he, "are not good; they are weak, and it
+troubles me to read.  Let me hear YOU read it."
+
+I read the paragraph accordingly.  The captain, meanwhile, fixed
+his eyes, which exhibited no signs of weakness, upon me with an
+earnest expression.  When I finished reading, he nodded his head
+and mused a few moments in silence, then hastily surrendered the
+tiller, bundled up the newspapers, and vanished down the
+companion-way.
+
+"What does this bode?" thought I to myself.  "The man is
+evidently angry.  I acted like a fool to question anything he
+said, however absurd."  I did Captain Thompson injustice.  He was
+not long absent, but soon came up the steps, bringing a sack-
+bottomed chair in one hand and a suspicious-looking pamphlet in
+the other.  He placed the chair in front of the tiller.
+
+"Hawser," said he, "sit down in that chair, and take this
+pamphlet, which is one of the most wonderful books that was ever
+laid before a wicked world.  The author shows by figures, facts,
+and calculations that the world will be destroyed on the 12th of
+June.  Good Lord!  The time is close at hand.  I have not read
+the book; my eyes trouble me too much   besides, I have not had
+time.  But I have heard much about it, and received orders, when
+I left Newbern for New York to bring back a dozen copies to
+enlighten the poor creatures on their fate.  Sit right down,
+Hawser, I tell you, and go to work.  I'll steer the schooner
+while you read."
+
+I obeyed orders, as was my custom; and a curious picture we must
+have presented, the captain steering the schooner and listening
+with greedy ears to every word which fell from my lips, as,
+seated directly fronting him, my back supported by the binnacle,
+I read in a clear and distinct voice, and with due emphasis, the
+crude absurdities of a crack-brained religious enthusiast.
+
+This "wonderful pamphlet" was written by a man named Cochran, a
+resident of Richmond, in Virginia, who, after poring over the
+Book of Revelation for years, convinced himself that he had
+obtained a clew to the mysteries contained in the writings of St.
+John.
+
+After satisfying himself, as he said, beyond question of the
+correctness of his views, he published his pamphlet of some
+thirty or forty pages, notifying the public of the terrible fact
+that the day of judgment was at hand; and predicting the day, and
+suggesting the hour, when the world would come to an end!  He
+even went so far as to describe the scene of destruction, when
+all the elements would be put in motion to destroy mankind, when
+volcanoes would deluge the land with liquid fire, and earthquakes
+shake and shatter the world to its centre!
+
+Cochran claimed to PROVE all this by his interpretation of the
+Book of Revelation; by labored calculations based upon
+arithmetical principles, and algebraic formulae until then
+unknown, but which appeared mystical and appalling from the fact
+that they were incomprehensible.  The book was written in a style
+well calculated to perplex, astonish, or terrify the readers,
+especially those who were not well stocked with intelligence.  It
+is therefore not remarkable that it caused a commotion wherever
+it was circulated.  The judgment day was the topic of discourse
+and persons of ungodly lives and conversation were led to think
+seriously of the error of their ways.
+
+I read the pamphlet through, from title page to "finis,"
+calculations, figures, and all; and no reader ever had a more
+attentive listener.  Captain Thompson took the book in his hand
+after I had got through, and gazed upon it attentively.
+
+"Well," said he, "this beats cock fighting!  The man keeps a good
+log; works out his case like a sailing master; and proves it by
+alphabetic signs and logarithms, as clear as a problem in plain
+sailing.  This is a great book; a tremendous book!  I wish I had
+two hundred copies to distribute among the poor, ignorant
+heathens at Newbern and Portsmouth.  Won't it make the folks
+stare like bewildered porpoises!  Are you tired of reading,
+Hawser?"
+
+"No, sir.  I will read as long as you wish."
+
+"Well, if that's the case, I'll bring up the Bible from the
+cabin, and you may wind up with one or two of the chapters in
+Revelation, which are referred to in the pamphlet."
+
+The Bible was brought up, and I read to his great gratification
+until about six o'clock, when the supper hour put a stop to our
+literary and biblical pursuits.  But the following day, the day
+after, every day, I had to read that doomsday pamphlet whenever
+it was my turn to take the helm, and frequently a chapter in the
+Bible besides.
+
+One morning, as we were slowly moving along with a light breeze,
+on soundings between Cape Henry and Cape Hatteras, a large
+loggerhead turtle was seen a short distance to windward,
+motionless, and apparently asleep on the water.  This caused
+quite a sensation; every man was on deck in a moment.  The
+schooner was hove to, preparations were making to launch the
+boat, and the captain was loudly calling for his GIG, a species
+of three-pronged harpoon for striking small fish, when one of the
+crew, named Church, remonstrated against this mode of proceeding.
+
+"Hold on, captain," said he, "or you will lose the lovely
+crittur.  If you go near him in a boat he will open his peepers
+and vanish as suddenly as an evil spirit sprinkled with holy
+water  But I know a trick to take him that cannot fail.  Let me
+have my own way, and I'll catch that lazy, lubberly chap, and
+bring him alongside, man fashion, in no time!"
+
+Church, while making this appeal, had been hastily divesting
+himself of his garments, and by the time he finished his remarks,
+stood, EN CUERPO, on the gunwale.
+
+"Go ahead, my lad!" said the captain.  "But if you let that
+turtle slip through your fingers, don't you ever come back to the
+schooner."
+
+Church grinned, let himself gently into the water, and paddled
+away noiselessly and swiftly towards the unsuspicious reptile,
+who was lazily snoozing in midday, without dreaming of danger.
+The sailor approached him warily from behind; and when
+sufficiently near, grabbed the astonished animal by the stern
+flippers, and exclaimed, "Hurrah, the day's our own, boys!
+Captain, I've got a prize.  Run up the stripes and stars.  Turtle
+steaks forever!  Victory, hurrah!"
+
+The turtle, although taken at disadvantage, did not at once "give
+up the ship."  He struggled manfully for that liberty which is
+the birthright of every living creature, and made a desperate
+attempt to go down, knowing intuitively that his captor would not
+dare follow him to the depths below.  But whenever he attempted
+to dive, Church threw the whole weight of his body on the stern
+flippers, and thus prevented him from executing that maneuver.
+After being foiled in this manner two or three times his
+turtleship seemed disposed to abandon this mode of proceeding,
+and tried to paddle off with his forward flippers, as if to
+escape from the incumbrance.  Church was now in his glory.  By
+PULLING one hind flipper and PUSHING the other he could guide the
+reptile in whatever direction he pleased, and soon navigated him
+alongside the schooner, when a rope was hospitably put around the
+neck of the captive, and he was hauled on board.
+
+Passing around Cape Hatteras, between the outer shoals and the
+land, we arrived at Ocracoke Inlet.  The wind being ahead, we
+were unable to cross the bar, but remained two or three days at
+anchor in its immediate vicinity.  Ocracoke Inlet is the main
+entrance into Pamlico Sound, a large inlet or body of water, some
+eighty miles long, separated from the sea by low sandy islands,
+mostly inhabited.  On this Sound are situated some thriving
+towns, and into it the rivers Tar and Neuse empty their waters.
+The little town or village of Portsmouth is situated on an island
+in the immediate vicinity of Ocracoke Inlet.  The inhabitants, or
+those who at that time deigned to pursue any regular occupation,
+were for the most part engaged in fishing and piloting.  The sand
+banks, shoals, and flats in that neighborhood furnish admirable
+facilities for seine fisheries, and enormous quantities of
+mullets were taken every year on those sandy shores, packed in
+barrels, and sent to the West Indies.
+
+There was also at that time carried on with considerable success,
+a porpoise fishery, after a fashion peculiar, I believe, to that
+part of the world.  Porpoises often made their appearance very
+near the coast, in shoals   not "schools," for porpoises are
+uneducated   some hundreds in number.  They were surrounded by
+boats and driven into shallow water.  When sufficiently near the
+land, a strong seine was cautiously drawn around them and they
+were slowly but surely dragged to the beach; the blubber was
+stripped from their carcasses and converted into oil.  Sometimes
+a shark was found in their company, who, disdaining to be so
+easily subdued, performed wondrous feats of strength and
+ferocity,   biting and maiming the inoffensive porpoises without
+mercy, and in most cases rending the seine by his enormous power,
+and escaping from his persecutors.
+
+When lying at Ocracoke, waiting for a chance over "the Swash,"
+the crew of the Mary having little to do, were generally engaged
+in looking after their physical comforts by laying in a stock of
+shell-fish.  Oysters were found in abundance all along shore, and
+of excellent quality; also the large clam known as the QUAHAUG,
+which when properly cooked and divested of its toughness is
+capital food; crabs, of delicate flavor and respectable size,
+were taken in hand-nets in any quantity; and flounders, mullets,
+and drum-fish were captured with little trouble.  Ducks and teal,
+and other kinds of water fowl, abounded in the creeks and coves.
+
+The staple articles of food on board the Mary consisted of corn
+meal, molasses, Carolina hams and middlings, with sweet lard and
+salt pork, in unstinted quantities.  As a drink, instead of
+Oriental tea and West India or manufactured coffee, we were
+supplied with the decoction of an herb found in the woods or
+swamps of the Carolinas, and generally known as YAUPON TEA.  It
+was at first insipid, if not unpalatable, but improved greatly on
+a more intimate acquaintance.
+
+In the Mary we were stinted in nothing that could be readily
+procured; and having a cook who prided himself on his skill in
+manufacturing hoe-cakes, oyster fritters, clam chowders, turtle
+stews and the like, I am free to confess that so far as related
+to GOOD LIVING, I never passed three months more satisfactorily
+than while I was on board the Mary of Newbern.  I often compared
+it with my wretched fare on board the Schooner John, or with my
+"short commons" in the Liverpool Infirmary, and the result was
+decidedly in favor of the North Carolina coaster.
+
+The inhabitants of the district bordering on Ocracoke Inlet, as a
+body, were not remarkable for industrious habits, or sober and
+exemplary lives.  Fishing and piloting, I have already said,
+constituted their chief business.  Many, being too lazy to work,
+indulged themselves in lounging, drinking, betting, cock-
+fighting, and similar amusements.  One redeeming virtue, however,
+they possessed, which is not always met with among the sedate,
+thrifty, and moral portion of mankind   hospitality!  They were
+frank, open-hearted, and compassionate; professed no virtues
+which they did not practise; would throw open their doors to the
+stranger, welcome him to their dwellings, and freely share their
+last dollar with a friend.
+
+The news reached Portsmouth by the pilot boat that Captain
+Thompson had arrived from New York, and had brought the pamphlet
+which proclaimed the destruction of the world.  The people took a
+deep interest in the subject.  The men visited the schooner by
+scores; and as most of them were unable to read, through the
+infirmities of ignorance and "weak eyes," my literary powers were
+put in requisition, and again and again I was compelled to read
+aloud, for their edification, the conglomeration of absurdities
+which the prophet had put forth. They listened with attention;
+and it was amusing to hear their strange remarks and queer logic
+in favor of or against the prediction.  The effect upon the minds
+of some of these children of the sandy isles was undoubtedly
+beneficial.  It led them to think; it brought the Bible directly
+before them, and reminded them that whether the pamphlet was true
+or false a day of judgment was at hand.
+
+The wind having changed, we crossed "the Swash," entered the
+Sound, and soon reached the mouth of the River Neuse.  This is a
+stream of considerable importance, being four hundred miles in
+length, and draining a large tract of country.  It is navigable
+for boats about one half that distance.  An immense quantity of
+produce is brought down the river from the interior of the state
+and deposited at Newbern, whence it is shipped to different parts
+of the world.
+
+Newbern is situated about forty or fifty miles from Pamlico
+sound, on the south-west bank of the Neuse, and at the junction
+of that river with the Trent.  It was, in 1812, a pleasant and
+flourishing town, containing about three thousand inhabitants,
+who carried on a prosperous business to the West Indies, and who
+employed many vessels in the coasting trade.
+
+On reaching Newbern the crew were discharged, the voyage being
+terminated.  Captain Thompson told me that the schooner would be
+sent on another voyage without delay, and if I was willing to
+remain and take charge of her at the wharf, keep an account of
+the cargo as it was delivered and received on board, I should be
+allowed the same wages I had been receiving,   eight or ten
+dollars a month.  I accepted the proposition without hesitation.
+Indeed, the arrangement was to the advantage of both parties; he
+secured at a low rate of compensation the services of one who
+could perform the duties or shipkeeper and mate combined, and I
+was provided with an asylum,   board, lodging, plenty of work,
+and pay into the bargain.
+
+
+
+Chapter XIX
+A TRIP TO BALTIMORE
+
+When we arrived at Newbern, the people, having heard of the
+dreadful prophecies, were prepared to receive the pamphlets and
+devour their contents.  Cochran's name, connected with the day of
+judgment, was in every mouth.  Groups collected at the corners of
+the streets and on the wharves, composed of persons of various
+characters and all complexions, and discussed the subject of the
+prediction with wonderful earnestness and intensity of feeling.
+Indeed, the excitement in Newbern and vicinity, caused by this
+pamphlet, was hardly exceeded in sober New England in 1839 and
+1840, when the charlatan, Miller, by his ridiculous predictions,
+spread a panic through the land; when many persons, discarding
+the modicum of brains they were supposed to possess, abandoned
+their farms, neglected their families, gave away to wiser persons
+the little property they owned, and actually prepared their
+"ascension robes," to meet with decency and decorum the day of
+doom.
+
+On the second day after our arrival at Newbern, when I had
+finished my labors for the day and was preparing for rest,
+Captain Thompson came hurriedly down the wharf and sprang on
+board the schooner.  "Hawser," said he, as soon as he recovered
+breath, "you must rig yourself up a little and go with me to
+Captain Merritt's."
+
+"What is going on there, sir, that requires my presence?"
+
+"The boarders want you to read Cochran's pamphlet, and you MUST
+come."
+
+"But I have no suitable clothes to rig myself up with, sir."
+
+"Never mind your clothes.  Wash your face, comb your hair,
+straighten up your collar, look in the glass, and you will do
+well enough.  But bear a hand.  They are waiting for you now."
+
+I arranged my toilet in accordance with the captain's
+suggestions.  When I gave it the finishing touch, by "looking in
+the glass," I was not satisfied, believing my costume could
+hardly reflect honor on the company; and my heart throbbed with
+emotion as I accompanied Captain Thompson to his boarding house.
+We entered the dining hall, the centre of which was occupied by a
+long table, around which were seated some fifteen or twenty well-
+dressed individuals, chiefly masters of vessels, and very
+different in their appearance and manner from the Ocracoke
+pilots.  At the head of the table was an empty chair, towards
+which I was led by my conductor, who told me to be seated.
+
+Naturally bashful, and conscious of my inferior position, I
+hardly knew whether I was asleep or awake; but was soon restored
+to my senses by Captain Thompson, who said, in an off-hand
+manner, "Hawser, these gentlemen are anxious to hear you read
+Cochran's pamphlet, which tells about the judgment day;" and he
+pushed towards me a copy of the prediction.
+
+I took the familiar document and commenced my labors.  My voice
+was tremulous at first, but I soon became accustomed to its
+sound, and as, by this time, I knew the greater portion of the
+book by heart, I got through the tissue of extravagance with
+great credit, not only to the prophet Cochran but myself.
+
+My auditors listened with the closest attention, hardly seeming
+to breathe, and it was curious to mark the various expressions
+which their tell-tale countenances exhibited as I proceeded.
+After I had completed my task, the gentlemen breathed more
+freely, and stared at one another in silence.  One or two were
+inclined to treat the prediction with levity, but their remarks
+were not well received.  It was generally conceded that the
+subject was not a proper one for a joke.  I received the thanks
+of several of my auditors for the acceptable manner in which I
+had performed my part in the drama.  A few evenings afterwards I
+was again called upon to lay the contents of this everlasting
+pamphlet before another set of eager listeners!  And I rejoiced
+when, with a full cargo of naval stores and Carolina notions, the
+schooner left the wharf, bound on a voyage to Baltimore.
+
+On reaching Ocracoke Inlet, it appeared that the impression which
+the predictions of Cochran had made upon the minds of the
+inhabitants was not effaced.  We lay at anchor there three days
+waiting for a wind to cross the bar, and every evening I was
+called upon to read chapters in the Bible for the edification of
+the worthy Ocracoke pilots, who probably had not heard a chapter
+of Scripture recited for years.  The prophecy had taken a deep
+hold on the minds of some; and ribald jests and disgusting oaths
+were seldom heard in the neighborhood of "the Swash."
+
+I was treated with kindness by Captain Thompson, and performed
+many of the duties of mate without occupying the station or
+receiving the pay.  On the passage to Baltimore the captain
+exhibited occasional symptoms of piety, and at one time would
+listen to a chapter in the Bible with commendable gravity, and
+discourse seriously on serious subjects; half an hour afterwards
+he would resume his profane and disorderly habits, and chase away
+reflection by getting drunk!  He was not at peace with himself;
+and he dearly loved whiskey and peach brandy.
+
+It was a pleasant season of the year, and the trip to Baltimore,
+through the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, was an interesting one.
+I expected to find in Baltimore a distant relative, who had often
+visited my father's house; been for a time domiciled in his
+family, and had received repeated favors.  He was now in a
+respectable position in Baltimore, and in the simplicity of my
+heart I longed to visit him, talk with him over family matters,
+and listen to words of advice and encouragement from a friend and
+relative.
+
+We arrived at Baltimore on a Friday afternoon.  I had spoken to
+Captain Thompson about my relative and my anticipations of a
+cordial welcome.  His experience, however, had led him to
+entertain an unfavorable opinion of mankind in general, and he
+expressed a doubt whether a knowledge of my forlorn condition
+would not repel the advances and freeze the affectionate welcome
+which under other circumstances I might have expected.  I was
+indignant at such an insinuation, and made known my intention to
+call upon my kinsman the next day, and put his feelings to the
+proof.  The captain kindly aided my purpose.  He received
+information from the wharfinger of the place of business and
+position of my relative; and on the following afternoon, after
+making myself look as respectable as possible, I proceeded, with
+a guide furnished by the wharfinger, to the counting room or
+office of my father's friend and protege in a distant part of the
+city.
+
+I found him alone, writing at his desk, and recognized him
+immediately.  But he stared at me, and inquired my business.  I
+mentioned my name; upon which he seemed greatly astonished, bade
+me be seated, and questioned me about myself and connections.  I
+told him the tale of my adventures, gave him the name of the
+schooner to which I belonged, the wharf at which she was lying,
+and also of the wharfinger, one of his intimate acquaintances,
+who had directed me to his office.
+
+He expressed gratification that I had called upon him, said he
+should always be glad to hear of my welfare, and after a pause of
+a few minutes, rather gravely remarked that he would gladly
+render me any service in his power; but he was at that time busy,
+and requested me to visit him at his boarding house the next
+morning at nine o'clock, when he should have leisure to talk with
+me further.  I returned to the schooner well satisfied with my
+reception, and recounted to Captain Thompson the particulars of
+the interview.  The captain shook his head, and smiled
+incredulously.
+
+The next morning, being Sunday, I put myself in what I considered
+passable trim, and proceeded with a light heart to the boarding
+house, which I found to be a handsome edifice in a genteel part
+of the city.  I knocked at the door and inquired for my kinsman.
+The servant ushered me into a hall and left me.  He was absent
+some time, during which I was an object of curiosity to several
+persons of both sexes who entered or left an adjoining apartment.
+One very pretty young woman seemed unpleasantly struck with my
+appearance, and expressed in audible tones her astonishment at my
+impertinence in entering the front door.  The servant at length
+returned and said the gentleman I wanted was unwell, and could
+not be seen.
+
+I was thunderstruck at this announcement, and declared it must be
+a mistake.  I bade him return and tell the gentlemen I was the
+person whom he requested to call that morning at nine o'clock on
+important business.  Some ten minutes elapsed; my pride took the
+alarm.  Could he be inventing some paltry excuse for getting rid
+of what he might consider my importunities?  The young woman
+again appeared who had before honored me with her notice, and who
+I presumed was the daughter of the woman who kept the house.  She
+accosted me in a manner by no means flattering to my self-esteem,
+and told me the gentleman whom I so absolutely persisted in
+seeing was quite unwell, and unable to converse with any one that
+day; that I must come tomorrow or the day following, or some
+other day, when he would be quite well and at leisure!  With a
+contemptuous toss of her pretty head, she showed me the door, and
+motioned me to depart.
+
+"Tell him," said I, "that I shall not trouble him again."  She
+smiled, as if my remark met her hearty approval, and closed the
+door with a slam!
+
+I slowly returned, through the many magnificent thoroughfares of
+Baltimore, to the schooner.  The streets were thronged with
+people elegantly dressed, who appeared to be rejoicing in their
+good fortune and happy in their friends and families.  As I
+pensively wandered along, unnoticed and unknown, I felt all my
+loneliness, and began to think the prosperous and happy times
+would never arrive that had been promised in my dreams.  The
+conduct of my relative disappointed me much.  It shook my
+confidence in mankind, and paralyzed my small stock of self-
+esteem   a quality essential to even ordinary success in life.
+
+Captain Thompson, perceiving my dejected air, inquired into the
+particulars of my interview.  I related to him the facts, but
+suggested excuses, and placed the matter in as favorable a light
+as the truth would admit.  The straightforward sailor, however,
+saw through it all.  He could not contain his indignation: after
+letting it explode in true sailor fashion, he concluded with this
+piece of practical philosophy: "Never mind, Hawser; 'tis the way
+of the world.  I have always found it so.  As for gratitude,
+affection, disinterested kindness, and friendship, 'tis all a
+humbug!  RELY ON YOURSELF.  Fight the battle of life alone.  If
+you conquer, you will find friends, kind friends, disinterested
+friends.  Ha, ha, ha!  Cheer up, my boy."
+
+I still clung to a hope that there was some mistake, perhaps a
+blunder on the part of the servant who delivered the message, and
+that I should receive a note or a visit the next day which would
+set the matter right.  But neither note nor visit came.  In a few
+days the schooner Mary left Baltimore on the return to Newbern.
+
+On the passage, the captain was testy, petulant, and unhappy.
+The prophecy of Cochran had taken a stronger hold on his mind
+than he was willing to acknowledge.  I was called upon to read
+aloud chapters in the Bible, and especially in the Book of
+Revelation, Knotty passages in the pamphlet I was also required
+to read from time to time.  But the oftener they were read, and
+the more closely they were examined, the greater was the puzzle,
+the more complete the mystification.
+
+We reached Ocracoke in the evening, and the next morning had a
+fair wind over the bar and across Pamlico Sound.  This was the
+day on which the dreaded prediction was to be fulfilled.  The sun
+rose in a clear, unclouded sky on the morning of that day, and
+its beams flashed brilliantly and benignly, as with a gentle
+breeze from the northward we entered the mouth of the River
+Neuse.  There could not be a lovelier day.  Even Captain Thompson
+felt apparently relieved of his anxiety as he looked abroad upon
+the beauties of nature and beheld no indications of the day of
+doom.  He saw no anger in the heavens; he heard no moans from the
+distressed animals instinctively snuffing the near approach of
+danger and death; he breathed no stifled and sulphurous
+atmosphere nor witnessed any other sign of the near approach of a
+terrible calamity.  He even ventured to express an opinion that
+"the prophecy of that old rascal Cochran would not prove true
+after all."
+
+We reached Newbern in the afternoon, and found everybody gazing
+at the heavens with eager looks, in which it would be difficult
+to say whether fear or curiosity predominated.  Many would not
+venture to bed till their hopes were made certain by the striking
+of the midnight hour; and then they were so overjoyed at what
+appeared a new lease of life, that sleep, that "sweet restorer,"
+was a stranger during the night.  In the morning, however, a
+gloom was again cast over the spirits of some of the most
+superstitious by the remark of a meddlesome old West India
+captain, that undoubtedly Cochran, like the seers of olden times,
+made his calculations according to the "old style" of computing
+time.  Thus twelve additional days were allowed to pass before
+they dared give a full loose to their joy at the failure of the
+prediction.
+
+After we had discharged our cargo in Newbern, I indicated to
+Captain Thompson that I should like to pass a few days on shore,
+take respite from labor, look around the town, and take note of
+the place and its inhabitants.
+
+He admitted the reasonableness of my proposition, but took
+decided measures to prevent my being led astray by bad company.
+The worthy captain, although addicted to irregular habits
+himself, and in his own person and character a dangerous exemplar
+for a young man, watched my proceedings with the closest
+scrutiny, and lost no chance to impress on my mind correct rules
+of conduct.  He particularly cautioned me against the habit of
+drinking intoxicating liquors.  "It is," said he with a sigh, "a
+rock on which many a noble vessel has been wrecked."   So much
+easier is it to preach than to practise.
+
+With a view to insure my moral safety, Captain Thompson insisted
+that while I remained on shore I should stay at his boarding
+house and occupy the same room with himself.  I accordingly took
+up my quarters at Captain Merritt's, where I was heartily
+welcomed by the landlord and his boarders.
+
+The impression made upon my mind by the good people of Newbern
+was decidedly favorable.  I was advised, by several substantial
+citizens to whom I was introduced, to make Newbern my home.  I
+was assured that I should meet with success corresponding with my
+merits.  I regarded the suggestion as a compliment; and having
+agreed to accompany Captain Thompson on another coasting voyage
+to New York, I determined to take the matter into consideration.
+I never returned to Newbern.  But I have always felt grateful for
+the kind conduct and encouraging words which I received from the
+good people of that pleasant and flourishing city.  Ever since
+that time the name of Newbern falls gently on my ear, and
+conjures up a thousand agreeable associations.
+
+The owner of the Mary, Mr. Jarvis, was an active and enterprising
+man.  He did not allow his vessels to remain idle.  In a few days
+we had another cargo on board, and proceeded down the river on
+our way to New York.  Being detained as usual at the Inlet,
+several of the pilots and other inhabitants of Portsmouth came on
+board, and the ribald jest, the oath, and the dram cup passed
+freely round.  Cochran's pamphlet was consigned to oblivion.  I
+was no longer called upon to read passages from the Holy
+Scriptures.  Solemn looks and serious conversation were voted a
+bore.  They laughed at their former fears; a reaction had taken
+place, and the struggle now seemed to be who should surpass his
+fellows in wickedness.
+
+So much for Cochran's famous prediction, closely resembling in
+character that of Miller at a later day, and uttered with as much
+confidence and believed by as many persons.  Morever, it is
+probable that Cochran was as sincere in his belief as Miller,
+perhaps more so, for the miserable man, finding his imagination
+had played him a trick, and that his prediction had not been
+fulfilled, overcome by mortification, and not supported by a pure
+religious principle, COMMITTED SUICIDE BY CUTTING HIS THROAT.
+
+It is hardly worth while for man to attempt to solve mysteries in
+order to ascertain when the day of judgment will arrive.  He
+should strive so to regulate his actions, that, let it come when
+it will, he need not fear the result.
+
+
+Chapter XX
+DECLARATION OF WAR
+
+On our passage to New York we met with no remarkable occurrence,
+and saw not a cruiser of any nation.  On reaching the city, we
+found that an extraordinary excitement prevailed.  War had been
+declared against Great Britain; an American fleet under Commodore
+Rodgers had sailed the day before on a cruise.  The frigate Essex
+was at Brooklyn with a complete and gallant crew, and her
+commander, Captain Porter, was making preparations for an
+immediate departure.  This brave officer made no secret of his
+intention to bring the enemy to close quarters whenever a chance
+offered, and proclaimed throughout the frigate that any man who
+repented having shipped might receive his discharge.
+
+One man only of the hundreds composing the crew availed himself
+of the captain's proclamation, under the plausible pretext that
+he was an Englishman.  But it having been ascertained that so far
+from being a loyal subject of the king of Great Britain, he was a
+native-born Yankee with a cowardly spirit, his shipmates were so
+indignant that they tarred and feathered him, carried him over to
+New York, placed a placard on his breast, formed a procession,
+and paraded him through the streets.
+
+There was a great bustle about the wharves in New York, although
+of a different kind from that which prevailed two months previous
+in consequence of the embargo.  Clippers of all kinds and sizes
+were bought up at enormous prices, and rapidly transformed into
+privateers and letters of marque.  Heavy guns, instead of bales
+of goods, were dragged through the streets by dray horses, and
+muskets, cutlasses, and boarding pikes met the eye at every turn.
+Fierce-looking men with juvenile mustachios jostled each other in
+the streets, and even the dapper clerks and peaceable artisans
+swore deeper oaths and assumed more swaggering airs.  News of
+naval battles was anxiously looked for, startling rumors of all
+kinds were afloat, and every vessel which arrived was supposed to
+be fraught with momentous intelligence respecting the cruisers on
+the coast.  I noted these proceedings, caught the spirit of
+enthusiasm, and sympathized in the excitement which so
+universally prevailed.   I told Captain Thompson I had made up my
+mind to join a privateer.  To this remark the worthy skipper made
+no reply but by a smile, which I interpreted as an approval of my
+determination.
+
+One of my first acts, however, was to call on Hansen, the keeper
+of the boarding house where I had formerly resided, and discharge
+my debt.  I resumed possession of my chest and books, which I
+regarded as my greatest treasure.  I had recovered from my
+lameness.  I was strong and active, and although poorly off for
+clothing or worldly goods, was free from debt, and had a couple
+of dollars which I could call my own.  My condition had decidedly
+improved; the prospect ahead began to brighten, and I felt able
+and anxious to perform a manly part in any noble enterprise.
+
+I took an early opportunity to look around the wharves, and
+examine the privateers that were getting ready for a cruise.  Two
+of these vessels particularly commanded my admiration, the Teaser
+and the Paul Jones.  The Teaser was a New York pilot boat of
+ninety tons burden, a rakish, wicked-looking clipper enough.  Her
+armament consisted chiefly of one long eighteen-pounder
+amidships.  The Paul Jones was a large schooner of two hundred
+and twenty tons, heavily rigged, with immense spars, a spacious
+deck, and of a genuine buccaneer model.  The armament of this
+privateer consisted of one long twenty-four-pounder and twelve
+heavy carronades.
+
+After the deliberation I fixed upon the Paul Jones as the more
+desirable vessel.  The warlike preparations and rakish appearance
+of this schooner looked like BUSINESS, and I had seen the
+insolence of John Bull so often exhibited on the broad highway of
+nations, and had so often listened to his taunts and sneers in
+ridicule of the prowess of the Yankees, that I longed for an
+opportunity to lend a hand to give him a drubbing.  I stepped on
+board and inquired of an officer who seemed busy in giving
+directions, if I could have a chance in the privateer.  He asked
+me a few questions, to which I gave satisfactory answers.  He
+said there were many applications of a similar character, but he
+thought he could insure me a situation; told me to call next day
+at two o'clock, when the agent would be on board, and the matter
+could be arranged.
+
+The important part which the American privateers bore in the last
+war with Great Britain is well known.  They were fitted out in
+every port, manned by brave and active men, and heavily armed.
+Managed with seaman-like dexterity, and superior in sailing
+capacity to vessels belonging to any other nation, they could not
+be easily captured.  The injury inflicted on the commerce of
+Great Britain by these privateers is incalculable.  They carried
+terror among our enemies in the remotest parts of the ocean, and
+the desire of the British government to put an end to the war
+may, in part, be attributed to the activity, courage, and
+enterprise of our privateers.  The principle has been adopted in
+all ages, that private property, captured on the high seas, is a
+lawful prize to the captors; also, that the destruction of
+private property belonging to an enemy is a justifiable act.  To
+a well-constituted mind it must appear, on investigation, that
+such principles are unjust, belong to a barbarous age, and cannot
+be advocated on any platform of ethics recognized among civilized
+nations in modern times.
+
+An attempt was made within a few years on the part of Great
+Britain, which also met the approval of the French government, TO
+ABOLISH THE PRIVATEER SYSTEM, on the ground that this mode of
+warfare is wrong in principle, irregular subject to abuses, and
+to a certain extent irresponsible.  A proposition was made to our
+government to be a party to an agreement to abolish the system
+forever.  Under the cloak of Christian philanthropy this was a
+master stroke or policy on the part of the British and French
+governments.  Should the privateer system be abolished and a war
+unhappily take place between this country and France or Great
+Britain, either of those nations, with myriads of heavily armed
+men-of-war, could overrun the ocean, and every American
+merchantman venturing to sea would be captured or burned; our own
+commerce would be annihilated, while OUR FEW NATIONAL SHIPS,
+scattered over a large surface, could offer but little check to
+the commercial pursuits of an enemy.
+
+Our government met the proposition in a manly manner, and while
+it declined entering into any agreement which had for its
+exclusive object the abolition of the privateer system,   a
+measure which would inure chiefly to the advantage of Great
+Britain or France,   it went further, and declared itself ready
+to accede to any arrangement by which, during a war, private
+property of every character should be exempted from capture, not
+only by privateers but NATIONAL VESSELS.  This noble suggestion,
+worthy a great nation in an enlightened age, did not meet the
+views of our friends across the water.  This broad Christian
+principle, if carried out, would deprive them of many advantages
+they might reasonably expect to derive from their numerous ships
+of war.
+
+It must be evident that in case of a war between this country and
+a mighty naval power,   which we trust will never occur,   the
+many large "clipper ships," which compose a large portion of our
+commercial marine, will be provided with screw propellers, and
+transformed into privateers.  Armed with guns of the heaviest
+metal, unequalled in speed, and able to select their distance and
+position, they will prove a formidable means of defence and
+aggression; and will do much towards protecting our own commerce
+while they will destroy that of the enemy.
+
+With a buoyant heart I left the proud and warlike looking
+privateer, Paul Jones, and proceeded to the slip where the
+schooner Mary lay.  For this vessel, looking so demure and
+Quaker-like, I very ungratefully began to entertain feelings akin
+to contempt.  She was now taking in cargo and was expected to
+sail in a few days on her return to Newbern.  When Captain
+Thompson came on board, I told him I had engaged to join the
+privateer Paul Jones, which vessel was about to sail on a cruise.
+He seemed greatly astonished, and abruptly asked me what I meant
+by such conduct.  I explained my intentions more at length, and
+referred to the notice I had given of my wish to join a
+privateer.
+
+"I had no idea you were serious," said the captain.  "I thought
+you intended it as a joke.  I didn't suppose you were such a
+confounded fool as to think seriously of joining a privateer."
+
+"Why, sir, what can I do better?  Our merchant ships will be laid
+up or captured on the high seas.  Even the coasting trade will be
+destroyed by British cruisers stationed along the whole extent of
+our coast.  If I return to Newbern, I shall probably be thrown
+out of employment; a stranger in a small place, and almost as
+destitute as when I first shipped on board the Mary.  I have
+pondered on the subject, and am convinced that my best course is
+to go a privateering."
+
+"Go to Beelzebub, you mean!" exclaimed the captain, in a rage.
+"I have no patience with you.  You talk nonsense.  The schooner
+will not be laid up on her return to Newbern.  And, furthermore,
+you have signed a contract to perform a voyage from Newbern to
+New York AND BACK!  And I shall hold you to your agreement.  Go a
+privateering!  Pah!"
+
+We had some further discussion, in the midst of which Mr. Jarvis,
+the owner of the schooner, who had arrived in New York a day or
+two before from North Carolina, came on board.  He was a
+dignified-looking man, greatly respected and esteemed in Newbern.
+He espoused captain Thompson's side of the argument, assured me
+it was unlikely his vessels would be laid up on account of the
+war, and would promise me that in any event I should not be
+thrown out of employment.  If his vessels remained idle at the
+wharves, he would find business for me in his counting room until
+more propitious times.
+
+The united remonstrances of the captain and the owner of the Mary
+came with a force I was unable to resist; with a strong effort I
+gulped down my disappointment, and gave up my darling project of
+making a cruise in the Paul Jones.  Our fortunes in this life
+our destinies   seem sometimes balanced on a pivot which a breath
+will turn.  Had I accomplished my intention and embarked on a
+cruise, how different my fate, in all likelihood, would have
+been!
+
+We left New York about the 2d of July.  After having reached the
+offing, while pursuing our course with diligence towards Cape
+Hatteras, we were overhauled by a New York pilot boat of the
+smallest size, apparently bound in the same direction.  This
+little schooner was in ballast, and skimmed over the seas like a
+Mother Carey's chicken; ranged up on our weather quarter and
+hailed us.  It proved to be the Young Pilot, Captain Moncrieff,
+bound to Savannah.  The mate, whose name was Campbell, was known
+to Captain Thompson.  They had been boarders in the same house.
+After an interchange of salutations and hearty wishes for a
+pleasant voyage, the little schooner rapidly drew ahead and
+passed on her way.  There was nothing remarkable in this
+incident.  I little thought at the time that this egg-shell of a
+vessel was destined to exercise an important influence on the
+future events of my life.
+
+On the morning of the Fourth of July we were off the Chesapeake
+Bay, some twelve or fifteen miles from Cape Henry.  Captain
+Thompson was a sterling patriot.  He dearly loved his country,
+and gladly caught at every chance to display the broad flag of
+the Union.  Accordingly, on this memorable day the gorgeous
+ensign was hoisted at the peak, the American jack waved at the
+fore-topmast head, and a long pennant fell in wavy folds from the
+main truck.
+
+"If I had a big gun," exclaimed the worthy skipper, in a paroxysm
+of patriotism   "a thirty-two-pound carronade, I would fire a
+genuine republican salute, and make such a thundering noise, not
+only in the air above but in the depths below, as to wake up the
+lazy inhabitants of the deep, and make them peep out of their
+caves to ask the cause of the terrible rumpus over their heads."
+At this very moment a suspicious-looking, double-headed cloud was
+slowly rising in the west, and ere long spread over a large space
+in the heavens.  As it rolled onward, flashes of lightning were
+seen and a distant rumbling was heard   a thunder squall was at
+hand.  The lightning became more vivid, and the thunder more
+frequent and deafening.  Every sail was lowered to the deck, the
+helm was put hard a-port, and the gust came upon us with terrible
+fury.  The rain fell in torrents, the lightning kept the
+atmosphere in a constant state of illumination, and the peals of
+thunder were truly appalling!  A grander salute, or a more
+brilliant and effective display of fireworks on the Fourth of
+July, could hardly have been wished by the most enthusiastic
+patriot.  Even Captain Thompson's longings for "a thundering
+noise" were more than realized.  He stood firmly on the break of
+the quarter-deck, surrounded by most of the crew, who seemed to
+gather near him for protection, astonished and terrified at the
+sublimity of the scene.
+
+I was standing on the main deck, not far from the rest of the
+crew at the time, and noticed that when the storm struck the
+schooner, some ropes that had not been hitched to a belaying pin
+were flying loose and might become unrove.  I stepped forward,
+and standing on tiptoe was in the act of stretching up my right
+arm to grasp the end of the peak-halliards, when there came a
+flash of white lightning which almost blinded every man on deck,
+accompanied by a peal of thunder that seemed loud enough to shake
+the world to its centre.  We all believed the schooner had been
+struck by lightning.  This was not the case.  It was,
+nevertheless, a narrow escape.  I received on my hand and arm an
+electric shock, which tingled through every nerve and nearly
+felled me to the deck, and rendered my arm powerless for an hour
+afterwards.
+
+The captain now seemed really alarmed.  He ordered me in a loud
+voice to come aft, and told the crew to follow him into the
+cabin, leaving the schooner to manage matters with the thunder
+storm and take care of herself.  He produced a bottle of "old
+Madeira" from a locker, and filled several glasses; and while the
+short-lived storm raged fearfully above our heads, he insisted on
+every man drinking a toast in honor of the Fourth of July, and
+set the example himself by tossing off a tumbler filled to the
+brim.
+
+We rounded Cape Hatteras early one delightful morning, and with a
+pleasant breeze from the northward shaped our course for Ocracoke
+Inlet.  Several coasters were in company, and a small schooner
+was seen standing towards us from the Gulf Stream.  This vessel
+was soon recognized as the Young Pilot, bound to Savannah, which
+we had spoken off Sandy Hook.  The captain of the little schooner
+appeared to recognize the Mary, hoisted his colors, and steered
+directly towards us.
+
+"What can that fellow want?" muttered Captain Thompson.  "He
+should have been in Savannah before this?  What has he been doing
+away there in the Gulf Stream?  There is roguery somewhere?"
+
+The Young Pilot soon came within hail, when Captain Moncrieff
+requested Captain Thompson to heave to, as he wanted to come on
+board.  The boat was launched from the deck of the pilot boat,
+and, manned by four athletic seamen, brought Captain Moncrieff
+alongside in handsome style.  He jumped on deck, grasped the hand
+of Captain Thompson, and requested to have some conversation with
+him in the cabin.  They were absent communing together for
+several minutes, when Captain Thompson thrust his head out of the
+companion-way, and looking round, caught my eye.  He beckoned me
+to enter the cabin.
+
+"What's in the wind now?" thought I to myself.  "What part am I
+to play in this mysterious drama?  Something better than reading
+doomsday pamphlets, I hope."
+
+I went down into the cabin.  "Here," said Captain Thompson to
+Captain Moncrieff, pointing to me, "is the only person on board
+my vessel who would think of accompanying you on your voyage.  I
+would gladly assist you in your unpleasant dilemma, but I cannot
+advise him to go with you.  Nevertheless, if he is willing I
+shall make no objection."
+
+Captain Moncrieff gazed upon me with a look of deep interest.
+"Young man," said he, "you are aware I sailed from New York the
+same day with the Mary.  My vessel was cleared at the custom
+house for Savannah; this was necessary in consequence of the
+embargo; but I was in reality bound for LaGuayra, on the Spanish
+Main, being the bearer of despatches of importance to a ship
+belonging to New York.  On egging off to the eastward, to cross
+the Gulf Stream, my crew, convinced that Savannah was not my
+destined port, began to murmur.  And when I acknowledged I was
+bound to the Spanish Main, they, one and all, refused to proceed
+further on the voyage, and insisted on my running into some port
+on the coast.  I have told Captain Thompson that if I can procure
+ONE MAN from his schooner, I will leave these mutinous fellows
+with him and proceed on my voyage.  Say, then, my good fellow,
+that you will go with me.  I will allow you twenty dollars a
+month, and a month's pay in advance   more if you wish it.  You
+shall receive good treatment, and will always find a friend in
+Archibald Moncrieff."
+
+When the captain of the pilot-boat, who seemed much excited,
+finished his narrative, I quietly answered without hesitation, "I
+WILL GO WITH YOU."
+
+He grasped my hand, gave it a hearty shake, and said, "I thank
+you.  You shall have no cause to regret your decision.  Pack up
+your things, my lad, and be ready to go on board when I return."
+
+He entered his yawl, and was soon on the deck of the pilot-boat.
+It took me but a few minutes to get ready for my departure.
+Captain Thompson said not a word, but looked thoughtful and
+dejected.  He appeared already to regret having been so easily
+persuaded to accommodate Captain Moncrieff, by granting me
+permission to embark on this uncertain expedition.
+
+It was not long before the yawl returned from the little
+schooner, laden with chests, bags, and bundles, and having on
+board the captain, four seamen, and the cook.  The luggage was
+tumbled out of the boat in short order; my chest was deposited in
+the stern seats.  I shook hands with my old shipmates, took an
+affectionate leave of Captain Thompson, who had always treated me
+with the kindness of a father, and entered the boat.  Captain
+Moncrieff took one oar, I took another, and in a few minutes I
+stood on the deck of the Young Pilot.  A tackle was hooked on to
+the yawl, which was, which was hoisted in and snugly stowed on
+deck; the helm was put up, the fore-sheet hauled to leeward, and,
+before I had time to realize this change in my situation, I found
+myself in a strange vessel, with strange companions, bound on a
+strange voyage to the Spanish Main.
+
+Chapter XXI
+ON BOARD THE YOUNG PILOT
+
+After the vessels had separated and were rapidly increasing the
+space between them, I looked back upon the schooner Mary and
+recalled the many pleasant hours I had passed in that vessel, and
+asked myself if it would not have been better to have remained on
+board, trusting to the friendship of Captain Thompson and the
+promises of Mr. Jarvis.  When I looked around, and fully
+comprehended the situation in which I had so unthinkingly placed
+myself, I saw little to give me consolation or encouragement.
+Captain Moncrieff was not prepossessing in his person or
+deportment.  He was a tall, large-limbed Scotchman, about forty
+years of age, with light blue eyes and coarse, bloated features.
+He was abrupt in his language, had an exalted opinion of his
+merits and capacity, was always the hero of his own story; and,
+although he subsequently proved to be a man of generous feelings,
+to my unpractised optics he looked more like a bully than a
+gentleman.
+
+Mr. Campbell, the mate, was also a Scotchman; but his appearance
+and character differed essentially from those of the captain.  He
+was slightly built, with thin, pale features.  There was nothing
+genial in his looks; and a certain vulpine cast of countenance, a
+low forehead, and a brow deeply wrinkled   but not with age
+conveyed the idea of a selfish, narrow-minded individual.
+
+With the exception of myself, there was no other person on board
+the pilot-boat.  On acceding to the proposition of Captain
+Moncrieff, it escaped my notice that the cook was to leave the
+schooner with the rest of the crew.  It now flashed across my
+mind, communicating any thing but a pleasurable sensation, that
+in addition to the ordinary duties of a seaman, I was expected to
+perform the part of that sable functionary.  I therefore found
+myself monopolizing several responsible situations, and held at
+one and the same time the office of second mate, cook, and all
+hands.
+
+In the novelty of my situation, however, I found a source of
+amusement; and the very uncertainty of the expedition, the
+singular manner in which I joined the pilot-boat, and the
+abundant cause I had for wondering "what would turn up next,"
+imparted to the whole enterprise an unexpected charm.  My duties,
+although various, were not arduous, but occupied a large portion
+of my time.  The mate and myself stood watch by turns through the
+night, each steering the schooner his regular trick of four hours
+at a time.  The captain seldom came on deck during the night, but
+enjoyed his rest of eight or ten hours undisturbed.
+
+The Young Pilot steered so easily, the helmsman being snugly
+seated in the cuddy, that it was next to impossible for any one
+to remain four hours in that comfortable situation, in pleasant
+weather, with no one to converse with or even to look at, without
+falling asleep.  Aware of the responsibility of my situation, and
+remembering the lesson I had received when lying at anchor inside
+of Charleston bar, I strove hard to resist the influence of the
+drowsy god, but was often compelled to nod to his dominion; and
+many a sweet and stolen nap have I enjoyed when stationed at the
+helm, and the vessel left entirely in my charge.  Sometimes, on
+arousing myself from my slumbers, I found the rebellious little
+vessel running along four or five points off her course.  In more
+than one instance, when the orders were to keep close-hauled, the
+schooner gradually fell off until she got before the wind, when
+the sails gibed, all standing, making a terrible clatter, and
+awakening not only myself, but the captain also, who, on coming
+on deck, must have divined the true state of things; but, with a
+degree of consideration which I could hardly have expected, and
+did not deserve, he never gave me a word of reproof.  How these
+matters were managed by Mr. Campbell, I could never learn.  He
+was one of those nervous, restless mortals who require but little
+sleep.  It can hardly be doubted, however, that he sometimes fell
+asleep in his watch, and steered the schooner in every direction
+but the right one.  This wild steering during the night will
+sufficiently account for a long passage, and errors in
+navigation.  Dead reckoning is of little use when the courses and
+distances are not correctly noted.  In the daytime, Captain
+Moncrieff would sometimes steer hours at a time, especially when
+I was employed in other business or taking a nap below.
+
+The most unpleasant duty I was expected to perform was that of
+cooking.   I had never been inducted into the mysteries of that
+art, and was disgusted with its drudgeries.  While in the
+Dolphin, with Captain Turner, I tried my hand at cooking more
+than once, when the cook had been so badly flogged as to be
+unable to perform his duties.  But I gained no laurels in that
+department.  Indeed, dissatisfaction was expressed in the
+forecastle and the cabin at the bungling and unartistic style in
+which I prepared the food on those occasions.  In the Young Pilot
+I succeeded but little better; and the captain, who was something
+of an epicure in his way, whenever a good cup of coffee was
+required for breakfast, or a palatable dish for dinner, released
+me from my vocation for the time, and installed himself in the
+camboose.  And it would have been amusing to a looker-on, to see
+the big, burly Scotchman steaming over the fire and smoke,
+rattling the pans and kettles, and compounding various materials,
+while I sat quietly at the helm, watching his operations, and
+thanking my stars that I had no genius for cooking.
+
+The greatest cause I had for disquiet on this passage was the
+want of society.   The captain and mate could spin their yarns
+and discuss subjects of nautical philosophy; but the mate,
+naturally unsocial and taciturn, seldom spoke to me, and the
+captain never honored me by entering into familiar conversation,
+excepting when he had indulged in an extra glass, and Mr.
+Campbell was not on deck.  At such times, being in a garrulous
+humor, he would, as a sort of "Hogson's choice," address himself
+to me, and rattle off narratives of adventures of the most
+astounding description.
+
+The schooner was easily managed, being a small vessel of only
+thirty tons burden.  In ordinary weather, one man, without
+leaving his station at the helm, could tack ship, gibe, and trim
+every sail.  The schooner was a good-sailing vessel in light
+winds; but her chief excellence consisted in ability to beat to
+windward.  When within four points of the wind she progressed at
+the rate of six or seven knots with a moderate breeze, while with
+a strong wind on the quarter eight knots was her greatest speed.
+An opportunity offered of testing her sailing qualities a few
+days after I had the honor to constitute her whole crew.
+
+One morning, at daylight, as we were steering to the southward on
+a wind, a sail was made on the lee bow.  It proved to be a large
+ship with two tiers of ports, not more than three or four miles
+off, steering to the westward.  As soon as we were seen, the ship
+hauled her wind, spread every sail, and seemed determined to
+ascertain our character and business in those seas.  Captain
+Moncrieff, with perfect propriety, resolved, if possible, to
+prevent the gratification of such impertinent curiosity.  The
+British cruiser sailed remarkably well; and if we had been under
+her lee, our voyage would have ended before it was fairly begun.
+But we made short tacks to windward, shooting into the wind's eye
+every time we went about, and by three o'clock the ship was hull
+down to leeward, when she gave up the chase, squared away the
+yards, and steered to the westward.
+
+A few days after this incident we fell in with a large, rakish-
+looking schooner on our weather bow.  The schooner was heavily
+armed and her decks were full of men.  She crossed our hawse and
+kept on her course until some distance under the lee bow, then
+hauled to the wind on the starboard tack, and on reaching our
+wake tacked within long gunshot and stood directly after us.  She
+now fired a blank cartridge and hoisted the Patriot flag.
+
+If Captain Moncrieff had kept his wits about him, and had not
+been afraid of cannon balls, we might have escaped, by keeping on
+our course or making short tacks to windward.  This was worth the
+trial, as it was not unlikely the schooner, although showing
+Patriot colors, was a Spanish privateer or government cruiser; in
+which case, it would appear by letters and other documents that
+we were bound to LaGuayra, which at that time was in possession
+of the Patriot forces, and could expect little forbearance from
+the Spaniards, who were waging war to the knife against the
+patriots.  This was forcibly represented to Captain Moncrieff by
+Mr. Campbell; and we trimmed every sail carefully, and kept close
+to the wind, with a fair prospect of making our escape.
+
+The piratical-looking craft, perceiving we took no notice of her
+hint to heave to, yawed off a couple of points and sent a
+messenger after us in the shape of a twenty-four pound shot,
+which struck the water a short distance astern, and, playfully
+skipping along, sank beneath the surface near the weather
+quarter.  Captain Moncrieff said not a word, but looked amazingly
+sober.  Campbell, who cared little for his life, but had great
+fear of being robbed, and who regarded all privateers as neither
+more nor less than thieves and pirates, coolly remarked, "O, he
+may fire away as much as he likes; he cannot hit us at that
+distance."
+
+"I don't know that," replied captain Moncrieff, much agitated.
+"I believe he is gaining on us.  The next shot may take away one
+of the masts."
+
+"He is NOT gaining on us," said Campbell.  "If he should hit one
+of the masts we should be COMPELLED to heave to; it would no
+longer be a matter of choice.  But I don't believe he can do it"
+
+At this moment the schooner yawed, and gave us another gun.  The
+ball came whizzing along, passed just over the mast-head, and
+fell in the water a couple of lengths off on the starboard bow.
+
+"I'll bet a beaver hat," said Campbell, "he can't do that again."
+
+"This will never do," exclaimed the captain, greatly alarmed, and
+pale as a ghost.  "He will hull us next time, and send us all to
+'Davy's locker.'  Haul the foresheet to windward!"
+
+This was done; and the pilot-boat lay like a log on the water,
+waiting the approach of our pursuer.
+
+"Now," said Campbell, with a scowl of disappointment, "I will go
+below and take care of 'number one.'  And Hawser," continued he,
+"I know those chaps better than you do.  They glory in robbing a
+sailor's chest when there is anything in it worth taking.  I
+advise you to do as I mean to do   clothe yourself in two or
+three suits of your best garments; for I never knew them strip
+the clothing from a man's back."
+
+"I thank you for your counsel, sir," said I; "but if they
+overhaul MY chest in expectation of a prize, they will be
+woefully disappointed."
+
+Mr. Campbell went below a slight-built, thin-looking man, bearing
+a closer resemblance to Shakespeare's portrait of Prince Hal than
+to that of Falstaff.  When, fifteen minutes afterwards, he
+appeared on deck, staggering under the load of three pairs of
+trousers, an equal number of vests, covering half a dozen shirts,
+with two or three silk kerchiefs around his neck, he looked, from
+his chin downwards, more like the "fat knight" than Prince Hal;
+and his thin face, peaked nose, and chin showing itself above
+such a portly corporation and huge limbs, gave him an unnatural
+appearance ludicrous in the extreme.  He told me he had stowed
+away the remainder of his property where it would puzzle the
+privateersmen to find it, and chuckled over the ingenuity by
+which he expected to outwit the rascals.
+
+It was not long before the armed schooner ranged alongside.  She
+was a formidable-looking craft, with a "long Tom" and a stout
+armament besides.  We were hailed in broken English: "You
+capitan, come on board directly, and bring your papers."
+
+The captain remonstrated, saying we were short-manned, and unable
+to launch the boat, or to man it afterwards.   They did not, or
+would not, understand his objections, but repeated the order in a
+style which silenced further remonstrance: "Come on board, Senor
+Capitan, this minute, and bring your papers, or I shall shoot
+directly!"
+
+There was no alternative.  After much labor and heavy lifting we
+launched the boat.  Captain Moncrieff put his papers in his
+pocket, and leaving Mr. Campbell in charge of the schooner,
+followed me into the yawl.  Putting his dignity along with his
+papers, he took an oar, I took another, and we pulled for the
+privateer, which by this time was out of hail to leeward.  We
+went alongside, and were roughly ordered on deck, where we found
+a motley set.  Some of the crew were savage, desperate-looking
+fellows:
+
+"As ever scuttled ship, or cut a throat."
+
+Others were squalid, ragged, and filthy, to a degree I had never
+before witnessed.  There was apparently but little discipline on
+board, but a great deal of disputation and a continual jabbering.
+A ruffianly-looking fellow, with a swarthy complexion and big
+black whiskers, who proved to be the commander, beckoned Captain
+Moncrieff to the quarter-deck, where he examined the schooner's
+papers and various letters, all of which proved, beyond a doubt,
+that the schooner was an American vessel, bound to a Patriot port
+on the Spanish Main.
+
+Fortunately for us our captor was a Patriot privateer, and our
+little vessel, under no pretext, could be regarded as a prize.
+If we had been bound to a port on the Spanish Main where the
+inhabitants had not thrown off their allegiance to the king or if
+the privateer had been a Spaniard, the case would have been
+different, and the pilot-boat would have been taken possession of
+and confiscated to the benefit of the captors, probably without
+trial.  In those days other nations, following the example of
+France and England, trampled on the great principles of
+international law so far as our insulted country was concerned.
+
+As the privateersmen could not take our vessel without avowing
+themselves pirates, they reluctantly limited themselves to
+plunder.  An officer and half a dozen men, armed with pistols and
+cutlasses, were despatched in our boat to the schooner, which
+they thoroughly examined from stem to stern.  As we had no goods,
+hey removed the ballast to find valuable property or money, which
+we might have concealed.  They overhauled chests, trunks, and
+writing-desks, looking for specie or hidden papers; helped
+themselves to whatever they particularly fancied, and finally
+conveyed to the privateer all the water, beef, bread, sugar,
+coffee, and other provisions and stores which they could find,
+with the exception of a very scanty supply for our own use!
+
+After a detention of a couple of hours, the last boat load of
+provisions was transferred to the deck of the privateer, and
+Captain Moncrieff and myself were about to step into the boat on
+our return, when the officer who had superintended the piratical
+operations suggested to the commander of the privateer that our
+boat was a remarkably fine one; far better and more serviceable
+than any one in their possession, and THEREFORE it would be right
+and proper for us   the captain and crew of the pilot-boat   to
+return to our own vessel in a skiff belonging to the privateer,
+and leave our boat for their use.
+
+The case was forcibly put; the logic was unanswerable, and the
+conclusion inevitable.  The stern-boat, a light skiff, was
+lowered and brought alongside, and then it appeared why the
+privateersmen did not board us in their own boat, as is usual on
+such occasions.  They had had an engagement the day before with a
+Spanish government brig; had been roughly handled, had several
+men killed and wounded, and sustained damage in hull and spars.
+The boats had been riddled with shot, and, not having been
+subsequently repaired, were not seaworthy.
+
+When the little skiff was brought beneath the gangway the water
+was pouring through the bottom in divers places.  No time was
+given for deliberation.  We were unceremoniously shoved into the
+skiff, the painter was cast loose, and a dark, ugly-visaged
+scoundrel told us, in broken English and with a diabolical grin,
+to "pull for our lives!"  So, indeed, we did.  The pilot-boat was
+not far off, nevertheless we should have swamped ere we could
+have reached her had not the captain, with admirable presence of
+mind, ordered me to lay in my oar, and at the same time handed me
+his hat, a large one and in tolerable good condition, and
+pointing to the water in which our legs were immersed, bade me
+"bale away!"  Then placing his oar over the stern of the boat, he
+sculled off towards the schooner like an excited Hercules!
+
+In this way we managed to reach the Young Pilot, and greatly to
+the amusement of the piratical patriots, scrambled on board in a
+most undignified manner.  In spite of our exertions the skiff was
+filled with water when we trod the deck of the schooner.  Mr.
+Campbell relieved himself of his superfluous garments, and we
+went busily to work rigging purchases, with which to hoist in the
+boat we had received in exchange for our own.  We then proceeded
+on our way.
+
+Any person who has sailed on the Atlantic must have noticed the
+luminous appearance of the water of the ocean, especially at night
+and in tempestuous weather.  This beautiful phenomenon is
+witnessed to a greater extent in some parts of the ocean than in
+others, and in different sections it presents different
+appearances.  In one place it seems uniformly luminous, shining
+feebly with a pale and sickly light; in another it exhibits bright
+flashes; again, it appears composed of brilliants of different
+sizes and shades, and sometimes, like a grand exhibition of the
+"northern lights," all these appearances are combined.  The most
+phosphorescent sea seldom exhibits peculiarities by daylight.
+Nevertheless, sometimes, though rarely, luminous patches and even
+large tracts of water are seen in the daytime, and at a great
+distance from ordinary soundings, with the color differing
+materially from the well-known hue of the ocean, and seeming to
+indicate to the astonished mariner the existence of banks or
+shoals.
+
+A few days after we fell in with the Patriot privateer, being in
+about twenty-six degrees of latitude, in the middle of a clear and
+beautiful day, Mr. Campbell, who was at the helm, exclaimed, in a
+tone of alarm, "There's a shoal ahead!"
+
+On looking in that direction, a tract of water embracing several
+square miles was seen, which was of a light green color inclining
+to yellow.  Its edges were well defined, but irregular, and
+presented a strong contrast with the general appearance of the
+ocean.  We supposed the water on that spot must be shallow, but as
+there was a heavy swell and no breakers were seen, it was manifest
+there was depth of water enough for our little schooner.  The
+deep-sea lead was got ready, and when we had reached what we
+considered the centre and shoalest part of the bank, no bottom was
+found with a hundred fathoms of line.  The peculiarity in color
+was undoubtedly owing to luminous particles floating in the water,
+and if we had remained on that spot until dark we should have seen
+that whole tract of ocean splendidly illuminated.
+
+The cause of this singular phenomenon has given rise to many
+theories and much discussion among naturalists.  It was for a time
+contended that this phosphorescence was a quality of the water
+itself.  But later and more accurate observers ascertained beyond
+a doubt, that some marine worms and other insects were luminous.
+On pursuing the investigation it is ascertained that the sea water
+is far less pure than has been supposed, and is often crowded with
+myriads of minute luminous animals.  It is now admitted that the
+phosphorescence of sea water is a property not belonging to
+itself, but is produced by animalcula, or microscopic creatures.
+They are far more numerous in some tracts of ocean than in others,
+and all possess the power of producing a light, a spark, or flash
+at will.  There can be no doubt that these living, transparent
+atoms cause the luminous appearance of the ocean, which excites
+admiration, and has so often been described in glowing language by
+the poet.
+
+
+Chapter XXII
+CAPTURED BY A PRIVATEER
+
+Captain Moncrieff was desirous of entering the Caribbean Sea
+through the Sail-rock passage, which separates the barren island
+of St. Thomas from Porto Rico.  But when we reached the latitude
+of those islands we beheld, on our starboard bow, the mountainous
+country on the eastern part of Hayti.  The island of Porto Rico
+was soon afterwards seen on the other bow, and directly ahead was
+the little island of Mona, rising abruptly from the sea.  Instead
+of striking the Sail-rock passage we found ourselves in the centre
+of the Mona passage, a hundred and twenty miles to leeward of
+Sail-rock, and twenty or thirty miles westward of the meridian of
+LaGuayra.
+
+Although Captain Moncrieff was glad of an opportunity to ascertain
+his true position, he was mortified at finding himself westward of
+his destined port.  The Young Pilot was immediately hauled on a
+wind, and we crossed the Caribbean Sea with a fine breeze, and one
+morning beheld the Rocas, a cluster of barren rocks, right ahead.
+We passed over a bank extending from this group of rocks, and with
+a fishing-line trailing astern and a piece of the rind of pork for
+bait, caught a quantity of Spanish mackerel, a fish of excellent
+flavor, weighing four or five pounds each.
+
+And I will here state, for the benefit of those navigators who
+have little experience in those seas, that on the edge of
+soundings in all parts of the West Indies, and particularly on the
+edges of the Bahamas and Salt Key Bank, abundance of fish of
+excellent quality, as black perch, kingfish, barracooter, and
+Spanish mackerel, may be taken by trailing during a breeze, in any
+reasonable quantity.
+
+By steering a course directly from the Rocas to LaGuayra we could
+have reached that port on the following day, but Captain Moncrieff
+was impressed with the idea that a strong current was setting to
+the westward.  Therefore, instead of proceeding directly to the
+Spanish Main, as he should have done, he commenced beating to
+windward, and continued this absurd process for two days, when,
+having made the island of Tortuga, he satisfied himself he was far
+enough to windward, and that there was no current at that time in
+those seas.  The helm was accordingly put up, and with a free wind
+we now steered to the south-west, to fall in with the coast
+somewhere near Cape Codera.  We made the land about fifty miles to
+windward of LaGuayra, in the afternoon, about three o'clock.
+Captain Moncrieff clapped his hands in ecstasy when he saw the
+land.  "If this breeze holds," said he, "we can run along under
+easy sail and be off the harbor before daylight tomorrow morning."
+
+His exultation was moderated by the sight of a large topsail
+schooner on our starboard quarter, dead to windward, steering
+towards us under a heavy press of sail, and coming up hand over
+hand.  We hoisted our square-sail and wet our other sails, but the
+schooner gained upon us rapidly.  Ere the darkness of night
+concealed us from her view, we became aware that the schooner in
+chase was a Spanish government vessel, termed a Guarda Costa, one
+of the very few armed vessels stationed on that coast to show that
+the blockade of the Patriot ports on the Spanish Main was not a
+mere paper blockade.
+
+A hasty consultation between the captain and the mate was now
+held, to devise means of keeping out of the clutches of the
+Spaniard during the night.  They both agreed in the opinion that
+the Guarda Costa would keep on the course she was steering when
+last seen, with the expectation of soon overhauling us.
+Therefore, the best mode of disappointing those expectations would
+be to change our course, run directly towards the shore, dowse
+every sail, and remain concealed by the darkness until morning.
+
+The stratagem devised by the combined wisdom of the officers was
+carried into effect.  We ran in under the land and hauled down
+every sail, thus presenting so small a surface to the eye that it
+was almost impossible we should be seen during the night.  It was
+deemed advisable to keep a good look-out, and Captain Moncrieff
+volunteered to keep the watch from eight o'clock to eleven.  Mr.
+Campbell was to be on deck from eleven o'clock until three, when I
+was to be called to keep the look-out until daylight.
+
+Everything passed off well during the first and second watches of
+the night.  At three o'clock I was roused out by the mate, and
+took my station on deck.  I could not divest myself of the idea
+that the Guarda Costa had divined our intentions and was quietly
+lying to, somewhere in our vicinity, sure of finding us snugly
+under her guns at the dawn of the day.  There was no moon in the
+heavens, nevertheless the horizon was well defined, and a large
+object could be seen at the distance of a couple of miles.  I took
+a careful look around the horizon, waited a short time and looked
+again.  I suffered my eyes to dwell on that quarter, in a north-
+east direction, where the schooner had been seen the evening
+before, and after a while I beheld a speck darker than the
+surrounding atmosphere.
+
+Might it not exist only in imagination?  I turned away my eyes and
+took a survey of the horizon in another direction, and again
+looked towards the quarter where the dark object had appeared.  It
+was still there.  Feeling assured I was not the victim of error, I
+ventured to call Captain Moncrieff, who hastened on deck followed
+by the mate.  I gave him my reasons for disturbing his slumbers,
+and pointed to the dark speck which had arrested my attention.
+They both looked in the direction I indicated, but could see
+nothing.  The captain swept the horizon with his spy glass, then
+turning to me, said, "Hawser, you have persuaded yourself that the
+Guarda Costa is still in that direction, than which nothing can be
+more unlikely, and your fancy has conjured up a vision that is
+visible to no one but yourself."
+
+"It is no fancy, sir," said I, boldly.  "I KNOW there is a vessel
+in that direction.  I can see it distinctly; and you may mark my
+words that the sooner we get the schooner under sail, the greater
+will be the chance of escaping capture."
+
+Mr. Campbell, with a sneering laugh, remarked that his eyes never
+yet deceived him, and that he could see as far in the dark as any
+one!  The captain, however, was staggered by the obstinacy with
+which I adhered to my statement, and said to the mate, "It is
+possible that Hawser may see something in that quarter which we
+cannot see, and as it is nearly daylight it may be well to get the
+schooner under sail and commence running down the coast."
+
+We began to hoist our sails; but before the foresail was set, a
+flash of light appeared in the north-east followed by the report
+of a gun, thus confirming the correctness of my assertion and
+establishing the excellence of my eyesight.  We lost no time in
+getting sail on the schooner; and now Captain Moncrieff regretted
+that instead of running in towards the land he had not adopted
+means during the night of getting the weather-gage, when he could
+have laughed at the efforts of the Guarda Costa to interrupt our
+voyage.
+
+Daylight appeared in the east, when the Spanish schooner was
+plainly seen; also another vessel which had fallen into her hands
+whilst she was quietly lying to, hoping to pounce upon us.  As
+soon as objects could be distinctly seen, the boat of the Guarda
+Costa was returning from a visit to the stranger, and the Spaniard
+having got a glimpse of the pilot-boat, showed a determination to
+become better acquainted with the object of our voyage.  The
+affair became exciting.  We were close in with the shore, running
+directly before the wind with a fresh breeze.  The schooner had
+got in our wake and was crowding all sail in pursuit.
+
+It soon became manifest that we could not escape.  Our pursuer was
+hardly a gunshot off, and slowly but surely lessening the space
+between us.  The sagacious Mr. Campbell regarded our capture as
+inevitable, and, true to his characteristics, repeated the
+stratagem which had served him so successfully when we were
+molested by the Patriot privateer.  He doffed his old garments,
+which were not worth stealing, and clad himself from top to toe in
+two or three complete suits of his best clothing.  He came on deck
+resembling a swathed mummy, and perspiring freely under the heavy
+load.
+
+When the Guarda Costa had approached within fair gunshot, and we
+were every minute expecting an iron shower, we saw at a short
+distance ahead on a projecting point of land, a fort on which
+several guns were mounted, and the Patriot flag was waving from a
+tall flagstaff.  The masts of some small vessels were also visible
+over the point.
+
+"There is a snug harbor," exclaimed Captain Moncrieff, "defended
+by a fort and in possession of the Patriots.  We will run in under
+the guns of our friends and come to anchor.  Hurrah, we are all
+right at last!"  And he cut a pigeon-wing with a dexterity of
+which I had hardly believed him capable.
+
+And now an armed felucca shot out from the harbor beyond the fort
+with the Patriot flag flying at the peak.  She was full of men,
+evidently a privateer, and with long sweeps pulled swiftly towards
+us.  When within hearing, a fierce-looking fellow, with pistols in
+his belt and a sabre at his side, stepped upon the gunwale and
+hailed us in tolerable English.
+
+"Captain," said he, "that Spanish schooner is one great rascal.
+If he should board your vessel, HE WILL CUT ALL YOUR THROATS!"
+
+"Can I enter that harbor?" inquired Captain Moncrieff, greatly
+alarmed at such a sanguinary piece of intelligence.
+
+"Certainly, certainly!  There, and there only you will be safe.
+Follow the felucca, and we will pilot you in."
+
+The felucca rounded the point, closely followed by the pilot-boat.
+We entered a snug little bay, well sheltered from the regular
+winds and waves, and agreeably to the directions of our new and
+zealous friends let go an anchor; at the same time the Guarda
+Costa fired a gun, hauled down her colors, gave up the chase, and
+steered away to the northward.
+
+We were boarded by the commander of the felucca and the officer
+who had so kindly told us of the bloody intentions of our
+pursuers.  They shook Captain Moncrieff by the hand, and
+congratulated him on having baffled the enemy.
+
+"But," asked Captain Moncrieff, "will not the blood-thirsty
+Spaniards return at night, send in an armed boat and cut us out
+from under the guns of the fort?"
+
+"O, no!  There's no fear of that," replied the commander of the
+felucca, with a savage smile which I did not half like.  "Be not
+alarmed.  WE will take good care of you," and he clapped his hand
+significantly on the hilt of his sabre!
+
+I was an attentive observer of every event which took place, and
+was by no means satisfied with the proceedings.  The sudden
+apparition of the felucca, the departure of the Guarda Costa
+without firing a shot, and the exultation of the officers who
+boarded us, and which they tried in vain to conceal, all convinced
+me there was some mystery which it was not in my power to fathom.
+
+"Where are you bound, captain?" inquired the officious commander
+of the felucca.
+
+"To LaGuayra, if it still belongs to the Patriots," replied
+Moncrieff.
+
+"That is right," exclaimed the grinning corsair.  "You are a good
+patriot, and have letters and intelligence which will be valuable
+to our friends in LaGuayra!"
+
+"Certainly, replied Moncrieff.  "I have letters in abundance, and
+any thing in my power to aid in establishing the independence of
+the Spanish Provinces on the Main I will do with pleasure."
+
+The commander of the felucca expressed satisfaction at such noble
+sentiments, and added, "I will, with your permission, go below and
+examine your papers."
+
+Hardly had the two captains left the deck, when the loud report of
+a gun from the fort echoed across the water, and down came the
+Patriot flag from the flagstaff!  It was immediately replaced by
+the sickly emblem of Spain.  A musket was fired from the felucca,
+and the Spanish ensign waved also at her peak!  Moncrieff heard
+the firing and rushed on deck just as an ill-looking fellow, who
+had for some time been busy about the signal halliards, near the
+taffrail, was running up a Spanish flag, WITH THE STARS AND
+STRIPES BENEATH!  He saw at a glance that he was the victim of an
+ingenious trick.  He was terribly agitated   his features, usually
+florid, were as pale as death.  "What is the meaning of all this?"
+he exclaimed, in a husky voice.
+
+"A BUENO prize, captain!  A BUENO prize!" replied the exulting
+commander of the felucca, patting him affectionately on the
+shoulder.
+
+The affair required but little explanation.  The fort was a
+Spanish fort.  The felucca was a Spanish privateer, belonging to
+Porto Cabello, and her commander had adroitly managed to capture
+the pilot-boat just as we were about to fall into the jaws of the
+Guarda Costa.  The commander of the felucca had furthermore wormed
+out of the unsuspecting Moncrieff all the secrets of his mission,
+and paved the way for the confiscation of our little schooner.
+
+Moncrieff stormed and raved like a madman; but there was no
+remedy.  The Spaniards were too well pleased with the success of
+their stratagem to notice his anger, and the captain on reflection
+was somewhat consoled by the idea that if he had missed the
+felucca he could not have escaped the Guarda Costa.  On conversing
+further with his captors, he ascertained that the ship, to reach
+which was the object of his mission, was now at Porto Cabello,
+which place had been recently captured by the royalists after a
+hard battle.  He further learned that it was the intention of his
+captors to proceed directly to Porto Cabello with their prize.
+
+A prize-master and eight men, armed to the teeth, were put on
+board.  Mr. Campbell was ordered into the felucca without an
+opportunity of relieving himself of his extra clothing.  The rays
+of the sun in that sheltered harbor seemed endued with a tenfold
+degree of calorie; and the poor fellow, as he stepped over the
+side, bowed down by the weight of his garments and sweltering with
+heat, was a legitimate object of pity, although a martyr to his
+selfish propensities.
+
+We left the harbor on our way to Porto Cabello; but our progress
+was slow, being interrupted by calms.  The prize crew of the Young
+Pilot were attentive to their duties and faithful and vigilant
+during the night.  They were divided into two watches, and four of
+them, armed with pistols and cutlasses, paced the deck at all
+hours.  Nevertheless, on the third day after leaving port, the
+felucca being out of sight in the north-east chasing a suspicious-
+looking vessel, Captain Moncrieff, having raised and fortified his
+courage by an extra portion of cogniac, called me into the cabin
+and broached the subject of retaking the schooner!
+
+"Hawser," said he, "I cannot reconcile myself to the loss of my
+vessel; the idea of being tricked out of her by a set of garlic-
+eating ragamuffins puts me out of all patience.  I have as good a
+pair of pistols as were ever manufactured, which I concealed when
+the schooner was searched.  With these, and a good cutlass in my
+hand, I would face a dozen of these cowardly Spaniards at any
+time.   If you will stand by me we will drive every mother's son
+of them overboard!"
+
+I saw that Moncrieff was so drunk he could hardly stand.  Indeed,
+it was only at such times his courage was roused to fighting heat.
+I attempted to calm his excitement by representing the slender
+chance of success we should have in open combat with eight or ten
+men completely armed; that it was far more likely we should be
+thrown overboard than the prize crew.  I also argued that even if
+we should be successful in the desperate contest we should gain
+nothing, but on the contrary lose the opportunity of proceeding to
+Porto Cabello where the ship Charity was now lying; that in every
+point of view his design was objectionable, as well as
+impracticable; and furthermore, the attempt would be an ungrateful
+return for the civilities and indulgence we had received from the
+prize-master and his associates.
+
+My remonstrances only served to increase the fury of Moncrieff,
+who swore that single-handed he would retake the schooner.  With
+his back against the mainmast and a good claymore in his hand, he
+would cut down every man one after another!
+
+I found he was too far gone to listen to reason; and it is
+possible he might have staggered on deck, pistol in hand, and been
+shot down for his pains, if the prize-master, attracted by his
+loud and threatening language, had not listened to a part of the
+conversation; and as the captain was on the point of sallying
+forth, like a doughty champion of old, in search of hard knocks,
+his collar was grasped by a couple of stout men; and he was
+roughly laid on his back and handcuffed in a trice.  His pistols
+were found and appropriated to the use of the prize-master as
+spoils of the vanquished, and he would have been treated with
+great harshness had I not interfered and pointed out the brandy
+bottle as the guilty originator of the plot.  The brandy was
+promptly secured, to be punished hereafter.  The captain was
+relieved of his manacles and shoved into his berth, where he slept
+off his valorous propensities, and awoke a few hours afterwards a
+different man, who could hardly be drubbed into a plot which would
+endanger his own life.
+
+In spite of calms, and light winds, and Patriot cruisers, we
+reached Porto Cabello on the fifth day after leaving the little
+harbor where we were so handsomely entrapped.  The felucca entered
+the port at the same time, and Mr. Campbell was permitted to join
+us once more; and he did it with an alacrity which, I confess to
+my shame, furnished me with no little amusement.  The sufferings
+of the poor man while in the felucca can hardly be imagined.  He
+was exposed in that hot climate, and during the prevalence of
+calms, to the fiercest rays of the sun, while loaded with clothes
+enough to keep him uncomfortably warm during a polar winter.  And
+he felt compelled to bear his burden without murmuring or seeking
+to be relieved, lest his companions should suspect his reasons for
+bearing his whole wardrobe on his back, and take umbrage at such a
+reflection on their honor!
+
+
+Chapter XXIII
+PORTO CABELLO
+
+The ship Charity was lying in the harbor of Porto Cabello, but
+under seizure of the Spanish government.  Captain Moncrieff, Mr.
+Campbell, and myself, with no longer a home in the pilot-boat,
+transferred our quarters to the ship.  The officers took up their
+abode in the cabin, while I was thrown on the hospitalities of the
+forecastle.  The prize-master of the pilot-boat honored me with a
+pressing invitation to join the crew of the felucca, assuring me
+there was "good picking" along the coast, and he would put me in
+the way of doing well.  I felt flattered by his good opinion; but
+under the circumstances thought proper to decline the invitation.
+
+The ship Charity was a vessel of about three hundred and fifty
+tons burden, moored at this time in the centre of the harbor,
+awaiting the decision of the Admiralty Court.  The ship was
+commanded by a man of very ordinary capacity.  The mate was a mere
+sailor, wanting in intelligence and worth, and a fit associate for
+the captain.  The ship and her valuable cargo were actually n
+charge of the supercargo, a Mr. Parker, of New York, who was also
+part owner.  He resided on shore and seldom visited the ship.  It
+was at his instance I found an asylum in the Charity along with
+the officers of the pilot-boat.
+
+The crew of the Charity consisted of some eight or ten men,
+Dutchmen, Swedes, and Italians,   as brutal and ignorant a set of
+men as it was ever my misfortune to fall in with.  With such
+officers and such a crew, it may be imagined there was little
+discipline on board.  Liquor could be easily obtained; and drunken
+rows and fighting among themselves, and occasionally with the
+captain or mate, were of frequent occurrence.  None of the crew
+gave me a welcome when I went on board, and I saw at once there
+could be no good fellowship between us.  I found a space in the
+forecastle for my chest, and in that warm climate it mattered
+little where I slept.  I performed my duties regularly with the
+crew, and for the first two days led an unsocial, almost a
+solitary life, in the midst of a large ship's company.  Captain
+Moncrieff, like an honest man, paid me the month's pay to which I
+was entitled, in advance.  This money I kept about my person, and
+carefully concealed from every one the prosperous sate of my
+finances.  I was thus enabled to indulge in little comforts which,
+to some extent, counterbalanced the inconveniences to which I was
+subjected.
+
+On the morning of the third day after I had taken up my quarters
+in the ship, another person was received on board in accordance
+with a mandate from the supercargo.  His name was Frederick
+Strictland.  He was an Englishman, a veritable cockney, about
+nineteen or twenty years of age, a strong-built and rather good-
+looking young man.  His countenance, although intelligent, was not
+prepossessing; there was a sort of nameless expression about the
+eye which repelled confidence and invited suspicion.  But it was
+no time for me to entertain prejudices which might be unfounded,
+or indulge in surmises unfavorable to the character of my new
+shipmate.  He could talk English, and talk it well.  He was the
+victim of misfortune, being destitute of friends and money in a
+strange country.  Finding ourselves accidentally thrown together
+in the same ship, it is not remarkable that we became constant
+companions from the commencement of our acquaintance, and intimate
+friends.
+
+Strictland's story was calculated to excite compassion.  His
+father was a respectable trader in London, and Frederick had been
+a clerk in his counting room.  He frankly acknowledged he had been
+a little wild and extravagant, and having expressed a desire to go
+abroad, his father allowed him to proceed to Curacoa on a visit to
+a brother in that island.  His brother received him coldly and
+could not or would not find him employment.  He induced him to
+take passage for Porto Cabello, with assurances that he would
+there find some desirable means of getting a living.  Disappointed
+in this, and having spent the little money given him by his
+brother, and sold or pawned the greater part of his clothing, his
+next project was to proceed to the United States, and he applied
+to Mr. Parker for a passage in the only American vessel in port.
+He was told that the ship might not leave the harbor for months,
+if ever.  But as he was suffering from want, he was permitted to
+make it his home until he could find some other resource.  I did
+not allow myself to doubt the truth of any portion of Strictland's
+narrative.  I confided to him the particulars of my own situation.
+We conversed freely in regard to the future, and formed a
+resolution to keep together, and embrace the first opportunity of
+getting to the United States.
+
+When I had been about a week in Porto Cabello, I was attacked by a
+severe and dangerous illness.  I suffered severe pains
+incessantly, which deprived me of sleep.  I was losing my strength
+daily, and at length, without any relaxation of the symptoms, was
+hardly able to crawl about the ship.  I received no sympathy or
+medical aid from the captain or mate, and could not even obtain a
+little rice or gruel, or any other food than the coarse viands
+that were served out to the ship's company.
+
+Strictland was with me whenever he could be spared from his
+regular duties, and gave me encouragement and aid.  But I could
+not conceal from myself that my illness was becoming a serious
+matter.  I accidentally heard two or three of the crew conversing
+about my sickness one day, and, to my great consternation, they
+came to the conclusion that I was rapidly sinking, and they would
+soon be rid of my company.
+
+"Yaw," muttered in thick guttural tones a thick-headed Dutchman,
+who had manifested towards me particular dislike, "in one or TWO
+days more, at farthest, we shall help to carry him ashore in a
+wooden box."  And a pleasant smile for a moment lighted up his
+ugly features.
+
+"You lie, you heartless vagabond!" I exclaimed, giving a loose to
+my indignation; "you won't get rid of me so easily as you think.
+I will live and laugh at you yet, were it only to disappoint your
+expectations."
+
+Nevertheless, the opinion which my unsympathizing shipmates thus
+volunteered came over me like an electric shock.  It sounded in my
+ears like a sentence of death.  I crawled along the lower deck
+into the forecastle, and from the bottom of my chest took a small
+looking-glass which I had not used for weeks.  I saw the
+reflection of my features, and started back aghast.  The
+transformation was appalling.  The uncombed locks, the sunken
+eyes, the pallid, fleshless cheeks, the sharp features, and the
+anxious, agonized expression caused by continual pain,   all
+seemed to have been suddenly created by the spell of some
+malignant enchanter.  I did not venture to take a second look, and
+no longer wondered at the gloomy prediction of my companions.
+
+The next day I found myself growing worse, and the pain
+increasing; and, notwithstanding my determination to recover and
+falsify the prediction of my unfeeling shipmates, I should
+undoubtedly have followed the dark path which thousands of my
+young countrymen, sick and neglected in a foreign land, had trod
+before, had I not received aid from an unexpected quarter.  I was
+crawling along the main deck, near the gangway, when Mr. Parker,
+the supercargo, came on board.  As he stepped over the gunwale, my
+appearance, fortunately for me, arrested his attention.  He
+inquired my name, examined my condition, and seemed greatly
+shocked at the brutal neglect I had experienced.  He told me to be
+of good courage; that it was not yet too late to arrest the
+progress of my disease.  He commenced his healing operations by
+administering a copious dose of laudanum, which immediately
+relieved my pain and threw me into a refreshing sleep.  He
+furnished me with other medicines, ordered me food suitable to my
+condition, and in a few days, owing to his humanity, care, and
+skill, I no longer suffered excepting from debility.
+
+When Porto Cabello was recaptured by the Spaniards, in 1812, there
+was a number of French families in the place, who, having
+sympathized with the Patriots, received an intimation that their
+presence would be no longer tolerated; that they must shift their
+quarters forthwith.  They accordingly purchased a small schooner,
+called "La Concha," put all their movable property on board,
+procured a French captain and mate, and prepared to embark for St.
+Bartholomew.  When I heard of the expedition, two men were
+required to complete the crew.  I conferred with Strictland; we
+both regarded it as an opportunity too favorable to be neglected,
+imagining that if we could reach St. Bartholomew, a neutral port,
+there would be no difficulty in getting a passage to the United
+States.  We lost no time in calling on the captain, and offered to
+work our passage to St. Bartholomew   an offer which was gladly
+accepted.
+
+I expended a few of my Spanish dollars in providing necessaries
+for our voyage, which might be of two or three weeks' duration,
+and when the time appointed for the departure of the schooner
+arrived, we bade farewell to the Charity, and in a few hours,
+while sailing close-hauled on a wind to the northward, beheld the
+fortifications at the mouth of the harbor lessening in the
+distance.
+
+The entrance to the harbor of Porto Cabello was once the theatre
+of one of the most gallant exploits recorded in the annals of
+naval warfare.  A mutiny took place on board the British frigate
+Hermione, in 1799, while on the West India station, in
+consequence, it was said, of the harsh treatment which the crew
+received.  The officers were murdered and thrown overboard.
+Captain Pigot, who commanded the frigate, after receiving several
+wounds, retreated to his cabin, and defended himself desperately
+with his dirk until he was bayoneted by the mutineers.
+
+The frigate, thus taken possession of, was carried into Porto
+Cabello and delivered up to the Spanish authorities; Spain at that
+time being at war with Great Britain.  The red-handed mutineers
+dispersed, and many of them subsequently returned to their native
+country, but were from time to time arrested, tried by court
+martial, and executed.
+
+Indeed, no pains or expense were spared by the British government
+to bring these mutineers to punishment.  They were sought for in
+every part of the world; hunted out of their hiding-places, and
+hanged.  No false philanthropy interfered in their behalf, and
+threw obstacles in the swift and sure career of justice.  Very
+few, if any, escaped the terrible punishment due to their crimes
+MUTINY AND MURDER ON THE HIGH SEAS.  The effect of the EXAMPLE,
+which is the object of capital punishment was most salutary.  No
+mutiny has occurred in the British navy since that time.
+
+The Hermione was regarded as a lawful prize by the Spaniards,
+notwithstanding the extraordinary manner by which the ship fell
+into their hands.  She was refitted; a crew of four hundred men,
+including marines, were put on board, and, ready for a cruise, she
+lay at anchor near the entrance of the harbor and within musket
+shot of the principal fortifications, which mounted two hundred
+cannon.
+
+These facts became known to Captain Hamilton, who commanded the
+British frigate Surprise, cruising on the coast, and that gallant
+officer conceived the daring design of boarding the Hermione with
+a portion of his crew, and cutting her out in spite of opposition,
+while she was lying under the guns of this heavy fortification.
+Such an enterprise could only have been conceived by a man of
+unusual intrepidity; but it was planned with a degree of prudence
+and cool calculation which insured success.
+
+After having well observed the situation of the frigate, Captain
+Hamilton with one hundred men left the Surprise in boats soon
+after midnight on the 25th of October, 1800.  On approaching the
+Hermione the alarm was given by the frigate's launch, which, armed
+with a twenty-four pounder, was rowing guard around the ship.
+After beating off the launch, Captain Hamilton, at the head of
+fifty chosen men, armed chiefly with cutlasses, boarded the
+Hermione on the bows.  As soon as he and his bold companions
+obtained foothold, the boat's crews cut the cables and commenced
+towing the Hermione into the offing.  Thus, while the battle was
+raging on the ship's decks, she was rapidly towed further from the
+batteries which had now commenced firing, and nearer to the
+Surprise, which ship stood close into the harbor.
+
+A bloody contest for the possession of the ship took place on her
+decks.  The Spaniards fought bravely; but the English, forming a
+front across the main deck after they got possession of the
+forecastle, drove them aft, where, after a desperate struggle on
+the quarter-deck or poop, the Dons were all killed or driven
+overboard.  The fight was still continued on the gun-deck, where a
+dreadful carnage took place; and it was only after an obstinate
+combat of an hour and a half from the commencement of the action,
+that the Spaniards called for quarter, being entirely subdued.
+
+In this action the British had no men killed, and only fourteen
+wounded among whom was Captain Hamilton, who fought boldly at the
+head of his men.  The Spaniards had ninety-seven men wounded, most
+of them severely, and one hundred and nineteen killed!  It would
+thus seem that while the courage of both parties was about equal,
+the English had a vast superiority in physical power.  The
+Spaniards, unable to oppose to their fierce enemies other than a
+feeble resistance, bravely SUBMITTED TO BE KILLED; and the English
+sailors hacked and hewed them down until they cried for quarter.
+
+The little La Concha, in which I was now embarked, was a dull-
+sailing vessel with poor accommodations, but crowded with living
+beings; and when beneath the deck, they were necessarily stowed
+away in the most miscellaneous manner, resembling herrings packed
+in a barrel.  In addition to the officers and crew, we had about
+thirty passengers, men, women, and children, exiles from the land
+of their adoption; driven forth by the hand of power to seek a
+place of refuge in unknown countries.  In this case, there was a
+great loss of property as well as of comfort, and the future must
+have presented to this little band of exiles an uninviting
+picture.
+
+The feelings of people born in any other land than France, would
+have been deeply affected by such a change; and unavailing
+regrets, bitter complaints, and gloomy speculations in regard to
+the future, would have cast a cloud over their spirits, and
+repressed aught like gayety or cheerfulness during the passage.
+But our passengers were truly French; and "VIVE LA BAGATELLE" was
+their motto.   Although subjected to many inconveniences during a
+long and tedious passage, and deprived of comforts to which they
+had been accustomed, yet without resorting for consolation to the
+philosophy of the schools, there was no murmuring at their unhappy
+lot.  They seemed not merely contented, but gay; they even made a
+jest of their misfortunes, indulged in practical jokes, fun, and
+frolic, and derived amusement from every occurrence which took
+place.
+
+On this passage, Strictland, who entertained the prejudices of his
+nation against the French, lost no opportunity to manifest his
+contempt of the passengers, and commented on their proceedings in
+a manner ill-natured and unjust.
+
+He more than once exhibited a surliness and incivility in his
+demeanor, which is supposed to be a prominent feature in the
+character of a burly Briton; and was far from being a favorite
+with any of the passengers or the captain.  On more than one
+occasion a misunderstanding occurred between Strictland and
+myself, and at one time it approached an open rupture.
+
+We were both familiar with Smollet's "Adventures of Roderick
+Random," and compared ourselves, with our rambles about the world
+in quest of a living, to the hero of that celebrated work and his
+faithful friend Strap; with this difference, however, that while
+each of us applied to himself the part of Roderick, neither was
+willing to assume the humble character of the honest but simple-
+minded Strap.  In the course of our discussion Strictland lost his
+temper, and indulged in language towards myself that I was not
+disposed to pass lightly over.  The next morning, the little
+uninhabited island of Orchilla being in sight, the wind light and
+the weather pleasant, the boat was launched, and the mate with
+several passengers, urged by curiosity, embarked, and were pulled
+ashore by Strictland and myself.  While the other parties were
+rambling about, making investigations, we, more pugnaciously
+inclined, retired to a short distance from the shore, and prepared
+to settle all our disputes in a "bout at fisticuffs,"   an
+ungentlemanly method of settling a controversy, but one which may
+afford as much SATISFACTION to the vanquished party as a sword-
+thrust through the vitals, or pistol bullet in the brain.
+
+After exchanging a few left-handed compliments with no decided
+result, our pugilistic amusement was interrupted by the
+unauthorized influence of two of the passengers, who had been
+searching for shell-fish among the rocks.  What the result of the
+contest would have been I will not venture to conjecture.  I was
+but a tyro in the art, while Strictland prided himself in his
+scientific skill, and gave an indication of the purity of his
+tastes by boasting of having once acted in the honorable capacity
+of bottle-holder to a disciple of the notorious Tom Crib, on a
+very interesting public occasion.
+
+After we had been about a fortnight on our passage, daily beating
+to windward in the Caribbean Sea, we were fallen in with by a
+British sloop-of-war.  The sight of this vessel, and a knowledge
+of her character, caused a sensation throughout the schooner.
+Doubts were very naturally entertained in regard to the treatment
+the passengers would receive at the hands of their much-dreaded
+enemy.  They were Frenchmen, and all the property on board was
+French property; and notwithstanding they sailed under Spanish
+colors, it was predicted by some, who entertained exaggerated
+notions of the rapacity of Englishmen and their hatred of the
+French, that the flag of Spain would not serve as a protection;
+but that their little property would be seized upon, and
+themselves detained and confined as prisoners or war.  Others,
+however, cherished a different opinion, and had confidence in that
+magnanimity which has always been claimed by the English as one of
+their national attributes.
+
+It was an anxious moment; and a general council of war was held
+among the passengers on the deck of the schooner, in which, as at
+a conclave of parrots, few seemed to listen while every one was
+eager to speak.  The consultation, however, produced no result.
+Indeed, nothing could be done, excepting to wait, and bow
+submissively to the decrees of the conqueror.
+
+My friend and companion, Strictland, was really in greater
+jeopardy than either of the Frenchmen.  If his name and station
+had been discovered, he would have found snug quarters during the
+term of his natural life; nothing could have saved him from
+impressment.  The French passengers, aware of the fact, with the
+kindest feelings took active measures to prevent such a
+misfortune.  They changed his name, clad him in Frenchified
+garments, bound a many-colored handkerchief around his head, put a
+cigarette in his mouth, and cautioned him against replying in his
+native tongue to questions that might be asked.  Thus travestied,
+it was boldly predicted that he would not be taken for an
+Englishman.
+
+The sloop-of-war sent a boat alongside, commanded by a lieutenant,
+who seemed surprised at the singular group by which he was
+surrounded on reaching the schooner's deck.  To his questions,
+replies were received from a dozen different mouths.  He was a
+pleasant, gentlemanly officer and seemed greatly amused at his
+reception.  At length he inquired for the captain, and on his
+being pointed out, addressed his questions to him, and repressed
+the officious interference of others until he received a full
+explanation of the character of the vessel and the intent of the
+voyage.  The statements of the captain were confirmed by papers
+and documents, which left no doubt of their truth.  The
+lieutenant, after obtaining all necessary information, returned to
+the ship to report the result of his visit.  He did not tarry
+long, and when he came back relieved the apprehensions of the
+passengers by assuring them that the commander of the sloop of
+war, far from seeking to injure or embarrass them, felt for their
+misfortunes and would gladly render them any assistance in his
+power.  He then went among the passengers, conversed with them,
+asked each one his name and country, and took other means to
+prevent deception.  When he came to Strictland, and asked his
+name, the reply was, "Jean Fourchette," in a bold tone.
+
+"Are you a Frenchman?" asked the officer.
+
+"Yes, SIR," was Strictland's reply, in a most anti-Gallican
+accent.
+
+The officer stared at him for a moment, but without asking more
+questions passed on to others.
+
+I felt somewhat apprehensive that the British ship was short-
+manned, and that the officer might cast a longing look on me, and
+consider me worthy of serving his "most gracious majesty"; in
+which case I intended to fall back on my American protection,
+which I regarded as my richest treasure, and insist upon going to
+an English prison rather than sling my hammock in a man-of-war.
+But no questions were asked, as I was looked upon as one of the
+crew, which, without counting Strictland, consisted of only three
+individuals; and the idea of reducing that small number by
+impressment was not entertained.
+
+The officer, before he left the schooner, with great glee
+communicated to our passengers an important piece of intelligence,
+which was more gratifying to British than to French ears.  A great
+and decisive battle had been fought at Salamanca, in Spain,
+between the combined armies under Wellington and the French army
+under Marmont.  It resulted in the signal defeat of the French
+marshal, who was severely wounded.  The officer left some English
+newspapers on board the schooner containing the details of the
+battle.
+
+The difficulty which had occurred between Strictland and myself,
+and which at one time threatened to sever forever all friendly
+ties, was amicably settled before we arrived at St. Bartholomew.
+Policy undoubtedly pointed out to the Englishman the importance of
+continuing our friendly relations while my money lasted; and he
+apologized in a handsome manner for what I considered his rude and
+uncivil conduct.  Again we became sworn friends and brothers, and
+resolved that the same fortune, good or evil, should betide us
+both.
+
+We arrived at St. Bartholomew about the 20th of September, 1812,
+and landed our passengers in good order, well-conditioned, and in
+tip-top spirits, after a passage of twenty days.
+
+
+Chapter XXIV
+HARD TIMES IN ST. BARTHOLOMEW
+
+We found the harbor of St. Bartholomew full of vessels belonging
+to almost every nation.  Among them were several American clippers
+taking in cargo for the United States; also vessels under Swedish
+colors bound in the same direction.  From these facts we
+anticipated little difficulty in procuring a passage to that
+country, on whose shores my friend, the young Englishman, as well
+as myself, was anxious to stand.  But, although there were many
+vessels in port, there were also many sailors; far more than could
+be provided with employment; men, who by shipwreck or capture, had
+been set adrift in different parts of the Windward islands, and
+had flocked to St. Bartholomew with a view to get a passage to
+"The land of the free and the home of the brave."
+
+Strictland and myself remained in the schooner La Concha a couple
+of days, until the cargo was discharged, when the French captain,
+taking me aside, told me he was making arrangements to proceed on
+a trip to Point Petre, in Guadaloupe, and was desirous I should
+remain with him as one of the crew on regular wages.  But as he
+positively refused to receive my companion on the same terms, or
+on any ter0ms whatever, and, moreover, expressed an opinion of his
+character by no means favorable, and which I believed to be
+unjust, I declined his proposition as a matter of course.
+
+It now became necessary to seek some abiding place on shore until
+we could find means of getting from the island.  But on inquiry I
+ascertained that thee expenses of board, even of the humblest
+character, were so great that our slender resources, the few
+dollars remained of my single month's pay, would not warrant such
+an extravagant proceeding as a resort to a boarding house.  I
+convinced Strictland of the importance of the strictest economy in
+our expenditures; succeeded in persuading a good-natured Swede,
+who kept a small shop near the careenage, to allow my chest to
+remain with him a few days, and we undertook to "rough it" as well
+as we could.
+
+In the morning we usually took a survey of the vessels in the
+harbor, hoping to find employment of some kind or a chance to
+leave the island.  When hungry, we bought, for a small sum, a loaf
+of bread and a half dozen small fish, jacks or ballahues, already
+cooked, of which there was always a bountiful supply for sale
+about the wharves, and then retiring to the outskirts of the town,
+seated in the shade of one of the few trees in that neighborhood,
+we made a hearty and delicious repast.  The greatest inconvenience
+to which we were subjected was a want of water.  There was a great
+scarcity of that "necessary of life" in the island, and a drink of
+water, when asked for, was frequently refused.  More than once,
+when hard pressed by thirst, I entered a grog shop and paid for a
+glass of liquor in order to obtain a refreshing draught of the
+pure element.
+
+At night, after walking through the streets and listening to the
+gossip of the sailors collected in groups in the streets, we
+retired to some lonely wharf, and throwing ourselves down on a
+pile of SOFT pine boards, and gathering our jackets around us, and
+curtained by the starry canopy of heaven, we slept as soundly and
+sweetly as if reposing on the most luxurious couch.
+
+But even this cheap mode of lodging was attended with
+inconveniences.  One night a shower of rain came suddenly upon us.
+This was an event unfrequent and consequently unexpected, and our
+garments were thoroughly soaked before we could realize our
+misfortune.  As this happened about three o'clock in the morning,
+there was nothing left but to wait patiently several hours, wet to
+the skin and shivering in the night air, until our clothing was
+dried by the rays of the sun and warmth restored to our frames.
+
+One night an unprincipled knave undertook to rob us while we
+slept.  Fortunately for us he began his work with Strictland, and
+took possession of the few effects which his pockets contained
+before my companion awoke and gave the alarm.  On hearing his cry,
+I started to my feet and seized the fellow, who, being nearly
+naked, eluded my grasp and ran.  We chased him the length of a
+street, when he entered an alley and disappeared among a row of
+dilapidated buildings.
+
+After these events we considered it expedient to change our
+capacious lodging house for one of more limited dimensions, where
+we might be screened from a shower and concealed from the prying
+eyes of a robber.  We proceeded the next day in quest of such an
+accommodation, and after a careful survey of various localities,
+our labors were crowned with success.  We found on the northern
+side of the harbor an old boat that had been hauled up on the
+beach and turned bottom upwards.  This furnished us with a capital
+lodging house.  We took up our quarters there every night without
+asking permission of the owner, and were never disturbed in our
+snug domicile after we laid ourselves down to rest.
+
+It may be asked why I did not apply to the American consul for
+assistance.  The treatment which I received from the agent of our
+government, when in distress, at Liverpool, created on my mind an
+unfavorable impression in regard to that class of officials, and
+the reluctant aid and little encouragement which those of my
+countrymen met with who applied for advice and assistance to the
+consul at St. Bartholomew, were calculated to prevent any
+application on my part.  Besides, I had entwined my fortunes with
+another   an Englishman; and we had resolved to partake of weal or
+woe together.
+
+On more than one occasion I could have procured a passage for
+myself to my native land if I had been willing to leave
+Strictland, My "protection," as well as appearance, furnished
+indisputable evidence that I was an American; but Strictland had
+no testimony of any kind to offer in favor of his citizenship, and
+to every application for a passage he received a decided shake of
+the head, from which there was no appeal.
+
+About this time an excitement prevailed among the web-footed
+gentry in St. Bartholomew in relation to the impressment of seamen
+by British authorities.  The cruisers on the West India station
+were deficient in men; and all kinds of stratagems were regarded
+as justifiable which would be likely to supply the deficiency.
+British ships and brigs of war were often seen cruising off the
+harbor of St. Bartholomew, and their boats were sent ashore for
+intelligence and provisions.  It became known to some of the
+officers that there was a large number of seamen in the town
+destitute of employment, and a plot was devised to kidnap a few of
+them, and do them a good turn against their will, by giving them
+board and lodging gratis, and an opportunity to display their
+courage by fighting the enemies of Great Britain.
+
+A shrewd and intelligent English office, who could tell a good
+story and make himself agreeable in a grog shop, disguised in the
+plain dress of a common sailor, one day got admittance to a knot
+of these unsuspecting "old salts," and by his liberality and good
+humor acquired their confidence.  Under some plausible pretext he
+induced a dozen or fifteen Dutchmen, Swedes, Britons, and Yankees
+to accompany him to a wharf on the opposite side of the harbor,
+where an alarm or cries for succor could hardly be heard by any of
+the sailors on shore.  Instead of the sport which was expected,
+they found themselves surrounded by the boat's crew of a man-of-
+war!  After a brief, but unsuccessful struggle, they were all,
+with the exception of two, hustled into the boat and carried off
+in triumph on board an English frigate.  Those two effected their
+escape by making good use of their legs, and their account of this
+most unjustifiable but successful case of man-stealing created a
+feeling of hatred against the officers of British men-of-war,
+which manifested itself on several occasions, and was near being
+attended with serious results.
+
+One pleasant morning, an American clipper brig arrived at St.
+Bartholomew from the United States.  The event was soon known to
+every person in the island, and caused quite an excitement.  When
+a boat from the brig, with the captain on board, reached the
+landing-place, a crowd was assembled to hear the news and inquire
+into the results of the war.  Englishmen and Americans met upon
+the wharf upon the most friendly footing, and jocularly offered
+bets with each other in regard to the nature of the intelligence
+brought by this arrival.
+
+The captain stepped on shore and was besieged on every side.
+"What is the news, captain?" eagerly inquired half a dozen
+individuals in the same breath.
+
+"Is Canada captured by the Americans?" shouted an undoubted
+Jonathan, one of those persevering, restless mortals of whom it
+has been said by a Yankee girl,
+
+"No matter where his home may be,
+What flag may be unfurled;
+He'll manage, by some cute device,
+To whittle through the world!"
+
+"Has there been any naval engagement?  Any American frigates
+taken, hey?" inquired a genuine native of Albion, his eyes
+sparkling with expectation.
+
+The captain, although thus suddenly surrounded, captured, and
+taken possession of, seemed more amused than annoyed by these
+inquisitorial proceedings, and, with a clear voice and a good-
+humored smile, replied, while the tumult was hushed and every ear
+expanded to catch the interesting intelligence, "I know of no
+battles that have been fought on the land or sea; but just before
+I left New York, intelligence was received that General Hull, the
+commander of the American forces on the frontiers, had surrendered
+his whole army to the enemy at Detroit, with all his guns,
+ammunition, and stores, WITHOUT FIRING A GUN!"
+
+It is impossible to describe the scene which followed the
+announcement of this unexpected intelligence,   the exultation of
+the British, and the mortification and wrath of the Americans.
+Hull was stigmatized by his country-men as the basest of cowards.
+Curses, both loud and deep, were heaped upon his hoary head.  Had
+he been within the grasp of those who listened to the story of his
+shame, a host of armed Englishmen could not have saved him from
+the fury of the Yankees.
+
+Occasionally an American privateer was seen in the offing; and the
+boldness, enterprise, and success of this class of vessels in
+crippling the commerce of Great Britain among the islands, created
+astonishment and indignation among the loyal subjects of "his
+majesty."  Rumors were afloat every day   sometimes false, but
+more frequently true   of some deed of daring, or destruction of
+British property, committed in that quarter by American private-
+armed vessels.
+
+One day, a small drogher arrived from the English island of
+Antigua, bringing as passengers four or five seamen, the only
+survivors of a terrible disaster which befell one of those
+privateers while cruising to the windward of Antigua.  One of the
+men was boatswain of the vessel.  The tale which he related was a
+sad one, and its correctness was confirmed by the deep emotion
+which the narrator and his shipmates manifested and by the tears
+they shed.
+
+The captain of the privateer was a man of violent and ungovernable
+temper and drunken habits.  He had a quarrel every day with some
+of his officers or some of his men; and one Sunday afternoon a
+wordy contest took place between the captain and his first
+lieutenant, both being well primed with alcohol.  The language and
+conduct of the insulted officer was such as to provoke the captain
+to madness.  He raged and raved, and at last struck his
+lieutenant, and gave peremptory orders to "put the rascal in
+irons."
+
+On hearing this order given, but before it could be executed, the
+lieutenant seized a loaded pistol.  Instead of shooting his brutal
+commander on the spot, he rushed down the steps into the after
+part of the vessel, and undoubtedly discharged his weapon among
+the powder in the magazine!  A tremendous explosion followed,
+which blew the privateer to fragments, scattering the timbers and
+planks, and the legs, arms, and bodies of the crew, in every
+direction!  The shrieks of the wounded, the struggles of the
+dying, and the spectacle of horrors which those men witnessed,
+made a lasting impression on their minds.
+
+After having been on the water a few minutes, almost stunned by
+the explosion, the boatswain and some of his companions succeeded
+in constructing a raft from the floating planks; and after days of
+suffering and exposure, without food, and almost without clothing,
+the survivors were driven ashore on the island of Antigua, where
+they were kindly treated, and subsequently sent to St.
+Bartholomew, with the expectation that they would there find a
+chance to get to the United States.
+
+Strictland and myself led the vagabond kind of life I have
+described for a couple of weeks.  My purse was gradually growing
+lighter, and it became evident that we must soon find employment
+or starve.  We formed various plans for improving our condition,
+neither of which proved practicable when put to the test.  One of
+these was to proceed to Tortola, and join a band of strolling
+players that were perambulating the islands, and attracting
+admiration, if not money, by the excellence of their dramatic
+representations.  Strictland, it seemed, besides having been a
+hanger-on at the "Fives Court," had served occasionally as a
+supernumerary at Covent Garden Theatre.  He could sing almost any
+one of Dibdin's songs in imitation of Incledon, in a manner to
+astonish an audience; and he flattered my vanity by assuring me
+that I should make a decided hit before an intelligent audience as
+"Young Norval."  But this project failed for want of means to
+carry us to the theatre of action.
+
+One morning, while looking about the wharves, we learned that the
+brig Gustavus, a vessel under Swedish colors, supposed to belong
+to St. Bartholomew, was making preparations for a voyage to the
+United States.  We lost no time in finding the captain of the
+brig, a chuckle-headed, crafty-looking native of Sweden, who had
+been long a resident of the West Indies.  I represented our case
+in the most forcible language I could command; and already aware
+that some men will be more likely to do a kind act from motives of
+self-interest than the promptings of a benevolent heart, I told
+him we were anxious to proceed to the United states, and if he
+would promise us the privilege of working our passage, we would go
+on board forthwith and assist in taking in cargo and getting the
+brig ready for sea.
+
+The captain listened to my eloquence with a good-natured smile and
+accepted our offer.  He promised us a passage to some port in the
+United States if we would go on board the brig and work faithfully
+until she sailed.  We abandoned our convenient, I had almost said
+luxurious lodgings beneath the boat on the beach, and, with my
+chest and what other baggage we possessed, joyfully transferred
+our quarters to the forecastle of the brig Gustavus.
+
+We remained on board the brig about a fortnight, faithfully and
+steadily at work, stowing cargo, repairing and setting up the
+rigging, and bending sails.  We congratulated ourselves, from time
+to time, on our good fortune in securing such a chance, after so
+much disappointment and delay.
+
+But one morning I was alarmed at finding Strictland had been
+suddenly attacked with violent headache and other symptoms of
+fever.  The mate gave him some medicine, but he continued unwell.
+In the afternoon the captain came on board, and after a conference
+with the mate, called me to the quarter-deck, and told me my
+companion was sick; that he did not like sick people; and the
+sooner I took him ashore, the better for all parties. "The brig,"
+he continued, "is now ready for sea.  I can find plenty of my
+countrymen who will go with me on the terms you offered, and of
+course I shall not give either of you a passage to America.  If I
+should be overhauled by an English man-of-war while my crew is
+composed in part of Americans and Englishmen, my vessel will be
+seized and condemned.  Therefore, you had better clear out at
+once, and take your sick friend along with you."
+
+I was disgusted with the cold-blooded rascality of this man, who
+could thus, almost without a pretext, violate a solemn obligation
+when he could no longer be benefitted by its fulfilment.
+
+"As for taking my friend ashore in his present condition," said I,
+"with no place in which to shelter him, and no means of procuring
+him medical advice or support, that is out of the question.  He
+must remain where he now is until he recovers from his illness.
+But I will no longer trouble you with MY presence on board.  I
+will gladly quit your vessel as soon as you pay me for the work I
+have done during the last fortnight."
+
+"Work!!" said the skipper; "pay!  I didn't agree to pay you for
+your work!  You've got your food and lodging for your work.  Not
+one single rix dollar will I pay you besides!"  And the skipper
+kept his word.
+
+After giving him, in very plain language, my opinion of his
+conduct, I went into the forecastle and had some conversation with
+Strictland.  I found him more comfortable, and told him my
+determination not to sleep another night on board the brig, but
+that I would visit him the next morning.  I called a boat
+alongside, and, swelling with indignation, went ashore.  I
+proceeded immediately to an American clipper brig which was ready
+to sail for a port in the Chesapeake Bay.  I represented to the
+captain the forlorn situation of myself and companion, and urged
+him to give us a passage to the United States.  He listened
+patiently to my representations, but replied that he had already
+consented to receive a larger number of his distressed countrymen
+as passengers than he felt justified in doing, and that he had
+neither room nor provisions for any additional number.  Seeing
+that I was greatly disappointed at his refusal of my application,
+he finally told me he would give ME a passage to America if I
+chose to go, but he would not take my companion.  This was
+reasonable enough; but I could not think of abandoning Strictland,
+especially while he was sick and destitute, and resolved to forego
+this opportunity and wait for more propitious times.  I was
+convinced that when I got to the bottom of Fortune's constantly
+revolving wheel, my circumstances must improve by the revolution,
+whichever way the wheel might turn.
+
+Fatigued, disappointed, and indignant withal, as soon as the
+shades of evening fell I proceeded leisurely around the harbor to
+the beach on the opposite side of the bay, and again took
+possession of my comfortable lodgings beneath the boat.  For hours
+I lay awake, reflecting on my awkward situation, and striving to
+devise some practicable means to overcome the difficulties by
+which I was surrounded.
+
+I awoke at a somewhat late hour the next morning, and heard the
+unwonted sounds of the wind whistling and howling around my
+domicile.  It was blowing a gale, the beginning of a hurricane.  I
+hastened with eager steps to the other side of the harbor, where I
+found everything in confusion.  The quays were thronged with
+people, and every man seemed busy.  Boats were passing to and from
+the vessels, freighted with men to render assistance; carrying off
+cables and anchors, and in some cases, where the cargoes had been
+discharged, stone ballast, which was hastily thrown on the decks
+and thence transferred to the hold,   fears being entertained that
+as the hurricane increased, the vessels in port might be forced
+from their anchors, and wrecked on the rocks at the entrance of
+the haven, or driven out into the Caribbean Sea.
+
+The vessels were thickly moored, and cables already began to part
+and anchors to drag.  Sloops, schooners, brigs, and ships got foul
+of each other.  The "hardest fend off!" was the cry, and cracking
+work commenced; and what with the howling of the hurricane gusts
+as they swept down the mountain side, the angry roar of the short
+waves, so suddenly conjured up, as they dashed against the bows of
+the different vessels, the shouting of the seamen mooring or
+unmooring, the orders, intermingled with fierce oaths and threats,
+of the masters and mates as they exerted all their energies to
+avert impending disasters, the crashing of bulwarks, the
+destruction of cutwaters and bowsprits, and the demolition of
+spars, a scene of unusual character was displayed, which, to a
+person not a busy actor, was brim full of interest, and not
+destitute of sublimity.
+
+The mate of the Gustavus, with a number of men, was employed in
+carrying off from the shore a cable and anchor, the small bower
+having parted at the beginning of the gale.  The mate represented
+the situation of the brig as somewhat critical, and urged me to
+render assistance.  Anxious to see Strictland, I acceded to his
+request.  It was not long before we were under the bows of the
+brig.  Men were engaged in carrying out the anchor ahead to haul
+her away from a cluster of vessels which were making sad havoc
+with her quarter rails, fashion pieces, and gingerbread work on
+the stern.
+
+I entered the forecastle, shook hands with Strictland, whose
+health had greatly improved, with prospect of a speedy recovery,
+and bade him be of good cheer,   that he would be well enough on
+the morrow.  I threw on a chest my jacket and vest, containing
+what little money still remained on hand, and my "protection," and
+thus airily equipped, reckless of the clouds of mist and rain
+which at times enveloped the whole harbor, went on deck and turned
+to with a will, notwithstanding the scurvy treatment I had
+received from the captain the day before.  When I reached the
+deck, some of the men were engaged in heaving in the new cable;
+others were just then called aft by the captain to assist in
+bearing off a sloop on one quarter and a schooner on the other,
+and in disengaging the rigging which had caught in the spars.  The
+sloop had the appearance of a wreck.  The laniards of the shrouds
+had been cut away on both sides, and the tall and tapering mast
+was quivering and bending like a whipstock, from the action of the
+wind and the waves.  One of the cables, it was supposed, had
+parted; the sails, not having been properly furled, were
+fluttering and struggling, not altogether in vain, to get loose;
+and the deck on both sides was filled with shingle ballast, which
+had been brought from the shore early that morning, in the fear
+that the sloop might be driven out to sea, and had not been thrown
+into the hold.
+
+The captain, mate, and crew of the sloop, finding their vessel in
+such a helpless condition, and entertaining wholesome fears for
+their own safety, ABANDONED THE SLOOP TO HER FATE, and embarked,
+with all their baggage, in the last boat that had brought off
+ballast.  But with the last boat there came from the shore a young
+man, who, as supercargo, had charge of the vessel and cargo.
+Aware to some extent of the perilous condition of the sloop, he
+had been actively engaged during the morning in efforts to prepare
+his vessel to encounter the disasters incident to a hurricane.  As
+he stepped on the deck of the sloop, and before the ballast had
+all been discharged from the boat, the officers and crew were
+eager for their departure.  The captain urged the supercargo to
+accompany him on shore, and, when he refused, pointed out the
+desperate condition of the sloop, assuring him that in a few
+minutes that vessel, held by a single anchor, would break adrift
+and be wrecked on the rocks, when probably no individual could be
+saved.
+
+The name of the supercargo was Bohun, a native of the "Emerald
+Isle."  He peremptorily refused to quit the vessel, saying, as he
+stamped his foot on the deck, "Here I stand, determined to sink or
+swim with the sloop."
+
+"Shove off!" exclaimed the captain; "it is useless to parley with
+a fool!"
+
+At this moment the crew of the Gustavus were summoned aft to
+disengage the brig from the sloop, and the captain was issuing
+orders in his most effective style.  "Bear off!  Why don't you
+bear off!  Cut away the laniards of those shrouds, and clear the
+main chainwales!  Bring an axe here, and cut away that fore-stay
+which is foul of the main yard!"
+
+Calling now to Bohun, who stood in the forward part of the sloop
+with a most rueful visage, the captain said, "Why don't you pay
+out cable, you lubber, and drop astern, clear of the brig?"
+
+Bohun stood near the windlass, and his appearance struck me as
+being singularly interesting.  He was dressed like a gentleman;
+wore a green frock coat and a white fur hat; but his garments were
+saturated with rain and the spray.  He seemed resolute,
+nevertheless, and anxious to do something, but he knew not what to
+do.  When roughly accosted by the captain of the brig, he replied,
+"If you'll send two or three men to help me, I will soon get the
+sloop clear of your vessel.  My men have all deserted, and I can
+do nothing without assistance."
+
+The captain of the Gustavus shook his head and his fist at the
+young Irishman, and discharged a double-headed oath at him, within
+point-blank shot.  Nevertheless, Bohun continued, "If you will let
+me have one man, only ONE man, I may be able to save the sloop."
+
+"One man!" replied the Swedish captain, screaming with passion,
+"how do you expect me to spare even one man, when my own vessel
+may strike adrift at any moment?  Pay out cable, and be hanged to
+you!  Pay out cable, and drop astern!"  And he aimed another
+ferocious oath at the unfortunate supercargo.
+
+Poor Bohun was no sailor.  He hardly knew the difference between
+the cable and the cathead.  He looked the picture of distress,
+almost of despair.  But I, being under no obligations to the
+brutal captain of the brig, was at liberty to obey the impulse of
+my feelings.  I stepped over the quarter rail, grasped the topmast
+stay of the sloop, swung myself on the jibboom, and in the space
+of a few seconds after the captain had concluded his maledictions
+I was standing on the sloop's forecastle, alongside of Bohun.
+
+
+Chapter XXV
+TREACHERY AND INGRATITUDE
+
+As soon as I reached the deck of the sloop, Bohun eagerly grasped
+me by the hand.  "My good fellow," said he, "tell me what to do,
+and I will go about it at once; only tell me what to do first."
+
+I cast my eye around, and comprehended in a moment the exact
+condition of the little vessel.  I felt that a great
+responsibility had suddenly devolved upon me, and I determined to
+be equal to the task.  The sloop, pitching and rolling, and jammed
+between two much larger vessels, was awkwardly situated, and
+riding, I supposed, at a single anchor.  About half the cable only
+was payed out; the remainder was coiled on the forecastle, and the
+end was not secured.
+
+"In the first place," said I, recollecting the scene near
+Charleston bar, "we will clinch the end of the cable around the
+mast, and then we can veer out as much as we like, without risk of
+its running away."
+
+This was soon done, and by veering cable, the sloop dropped
+astern, until clear of all other vessels.  I then found, to my
+satisfaction, that neither of the cables had parted.  It
+subsequently appeared that the small bower anchor had merely been
+dropped under foot.  By giving a good scope to both cables, the
+sloop was as likely to ride out the gale, so far as depended on
+ground tackling, as any vessel in port.  The sails, which had been
+loosed by the force of the wind, were next secured.  The foresail
+was furled in such manner that it could be cast loose and the head
+of it hoisted at a minute's notice.  I greatly feared that some
+light vessel might be forced from her moorings, and drift athwart
+our bows, and thus bear the sloop away from her anchors.  I
+therefore got an axe, and placed it by the windlass, with the
+design of cutting both cables when such an act might be considered
+necessary for our safety, hoist the head of the foresail, and run
+out to sea.
+
+In the mean time, the decks were in a deplorable condition,
+lumbered up with barrels, boxes, and ballast.  The supercargo
+commenced on one side, and myself on the other, to throw the
+ballast into the hold.  The miscellaneous articles were then
+tumbled down in an unceremonious manner, and the hatchways
+properly secured.  Our attention was now turned to the mast, which
+had no support on either side, and was in an awkward and uneasy
+position.  Bohun looked at it as it swayed from starboard to port
+and from port to starboard, and then looked inquiringly at me.
+
+"We can co it!" said I, without hesitation.  "Have you any spare
+rigging on board?"
+
+"Yes, plenty!  Down in the forward part of the sloop,"
+
+I went below, and found a coil of rope which I believed would
+answer my purpose.  I brought it on deck, and began to reeve
+laniards for the shrouds.  I then procured a handspike and heaver,
+and went to work setting up the rigging by a "Spanish windlass."
+I had only once seen an operation of this kind performed; but
+having closely watched the process, I knew I could perform it
+successfully.  In this matter Bohun rendered me valuable aid.  We
+worked diligently, for we felt that every minute was of
+importance; and it was not long before the shrouds on both sides
+were set up, and the mast rendered safe.  By the time this work
+was accomplished and the vessel put in good condition, the
+forenoon had nearly expired; but the hurricane continued.  Several
+vessels had already been driven from their anchors, and blown
+broadside on, through the whole length of the harbor, and dashed to
+pieces against the rocks.
+
+Through the mist and rain I kept a good lookout ahead, lest some
+of those unfortunate craft should come down upon our little sloop.
+And at one time, in the middle of the afternoon, I thought the
+crisis had come, and we should be obliged to go to sea.  A large
+schooner which had been lying snugly at anchor at the extremity of
+the harbor for months, with no person on board, parted her cable,
+and was driven by the wind among the vessels already tossing about
+in that fearful gale, rubbing against one, crushing in the
+bulwarks of another, and carrying alarm and terror throughout her
+whole route.  This hulk had passed through the great body of the
+shipping without causing much serious or irremediable damage, and
+now, broadside to the gale, was rapidly wafted towards the sloop.
+My heart beat violently, as, axe in hand, I watched her approach.
+
+I raised the axe above my head to give the fatal blow, when I
+perceived the stern of the schooner swinging round.  I dropped the
+axe, and called upon Bohun to lend me a hand to bear off.  The
+schooner came down almost with the force of an avalanche, cleared
+the bowsprit, as I anticipated, but struck our larboard bow, swung
+alongside, caught by our chain-wale for a moment, was freed by a
+violent gust of wind, dropped astern, and was soon pounding upon
+the ledges.
+
+Bohun, who had never before been an actor in such scenes, was
+completely exhausted with excitement and fatigue.  He loaned me a
+pea-jacket, for, after my severe labors, and ablutions in fresh
+and salt water, I was shivering with cold; and requesting me to
+keep a good lookout, went below long before the gale abated, and
+buried his inquietudes in sleep.
+
+The tempest began to diminish in violence soon after the shades of
+evening fell; but I continued on my watch until nearly midnight,
+when no longer doubting that the fierce hurricane had exhausted
+its wrath, I also left the deck, turned into one of the cabin
+berths, and slept soundly until the sun was above the horizon.
+
+When Bohun came on deck he assured me he felt under great
+obligations for the assistance I had rendered in saving the sloop
+from destruction, and would cheerfully make me any compensation in
+his power.  He requested as an additional favor that I would
+remain by the sloop, as there was valuable property on board,
+until he could make some necessary arrangements.  I gave him my
+promise.  He then called a boat alongside, and proceeded on shore.
+
+I was anxious to visit the Gustavus to inquire about Strictland's
+health, and consult with him in relation to future proceedings.
+But there was no boat at this time attached to the sloop; the
+small boat broke away at the commencement of the gale, and was
+never afterwards seen; and the long-boat was taken possession of
+by the dastardly creoles who composed the officers and crew.  I
+knew, however, that Strictland was well provided for, and being
+determined to visit him at the earliest opportunity, gave myself
+no further anxiety, but patiently awaited the return of the
+supercargo.  I waited in vain; he did not arrive that day, but
+about eight o'clock in the evening a boat came off bringing a new
+captain, mate, and a couple of men.  My short-lived reign was at
+an end!  I had tasted the sweets of despotic authority for two
+delicious days.  I was now deposed, and about to be resolved into
+my original elements.
+
+It was too late to visit Strictland that night; but the next
+morning after breakfast, I obtained permission from the new
+captain to use the boat for a short time, and with a light and
+joyous heart   for I was proud of my successful exertions during
+the gale   sculled away for the Gustavus.  I stepped gayly on
+board, and encountered the mate as I passed over the gangway.  He
+greeted me kindly, but expressed surprise at my appearance.
+
+"How is Strictland?" I exclaimed.  "Has he entirely recovered?"
+
+"Strictland!" replied the mate.  "Have you not seen him?  Don't
+you KNOW where he is?"
+
+"Certainly not," said I, somewhat alarmed at his manner, "if he is
+not on board the brig!"
+
+"He left the brig this morning," said the mate, "and is now on
+board that vessel in the offing," pointing to a rakish clipper
+brig under American colors that was outside the harbor, and seemed
+to be flying away under a cloud of canvas.  "He has taken his
+chest and everything belonging to you both," continued the mate,
+seeing my astonishment.  "I thought you were with him, and that
+the whole thing was arranged by mutual agreement."
+
+I was thunderstruck at this intelligence; but after a moment's
+reflection, I refused to believe it.  "It must be a mistake," said
+I; "Strictland would not go off to America, and leave me here
+without means or employment.  He cannot be so ungrateful."
+
+The mate looked as if he thought such a thing were possible.
+
+"And if he HAS availed himself of a chance to go to the United
+States, he has undoubtedly left the chest, which is mine, and
+other property belonging to me where I can easily find it."
+
+"I hope you MAY find it," said the mate dryly, "but I don't
+believe you will."
+
+I went forward and conversed with the men who had taken Strictland
+on board the brig, and from them learned the particulars of the
+transaction.  It appeared that Strictland, who had quite recovered
+his health, on coming on deck that memorable morning, perceived
+the clipper brig, which two days before I had visited without a
+successful result, making preparations for immediate departure.
+He borrowed the boat, and accompanied by one of the crew of the
+Gustavus, went on board the American brig, where he represented
+himself to the captain as an American, in great distress, and
+anxious to get home.  He exhibited a "protection," mine
+undoubtedly, as evidence of his assertions.  The tale of his
+misfortunes, told in eloquent language, albeit it must have
+smacked strongly of cockney peculiarities, melted the heart of the
+worthy and unsuspecting sailor, who told him to bring his things
+on board at once, and he would give him a passage to the United
+States.
+
+Strictland returned to the Gustavus, gathered together not only
+everything which belonged to him, but every article of my property
+besides, not even excepting the garments I had thrown off on the
+morning of the hurricane.  He took with him the money belonging to
+me which was still unexpended, and also what I regarded as far
+more valuable than the rest of my property   my American
+protection.  He told the crew this was done in pursuance of an
+arrangement made with me the day previous to the hurricane.  He
+reached the brig with his "plunder" just as the anchor was hauled
+to the cathead, and the brig was hanging by a single line attached
+to a neighboring vessel until the topsails were sheeted home.  My
+chest was transferred to the deck of the clipper, and five minutes
+afterwards the brig was leaving the harbor under full sail, bound
+home.
+
+It was some time before I could realize the extent of my
+misfortune, and persuade myself of the melancholy fact that I was
+a stranger in a foreign port, without friends, while every item of
+my goods and chattels consisted of an old pair of patched canvas
+trousers, a checked shirt, and a dilapidated straw hat; I had not
+even a pair of shoes, a kerchief, a jack-knife, or the value of a
+stiver in cash.
+
+I stood a moment gazing earnestly at the brig as she was rapidly
+sinking beneath the horizon.  I was more disappointed and shocked
+at the ingratitude of Strictland than grieved at the loss of my
+goods and chattels.  And when I saw that I had been deceived,
+cajoled, and swindled by an unprincipled adventurer, so far from
+rejoicing at such an opportunity to "come out strong," as Mark
+Tapley would have done under similar circumstances, I could hardly
+control my indignation.   But conscious that my wrongs could
+neither be remedied nor avenged, I repressed my feelings, and amid
+the well-meaning condolence of my friends in the Gustavus, entered
+my boat and returned to the sloop.
+
+I was rejoiced to find Bohun on board.  He seized my hand and
+greeted me with much kindness.  His countenance, open, frank, and
+honest, emboldened me to explain to him my situation.  When I had
+concluded my narrative of facts, "Now," said I, "if you consider
+yourself indebted to me, and are willing to do me a favor, all I
+ask is, that you will give me a situation on board this sloop as
+one of the sailors, until I can find an opportunity to do
+something better.  I shall expect the same rate of wages as
+others, of course and have also to request that you will advance
+me a few dollars, with which I can supply myself with some
+necessary articles of clothing.
+
+Bohun graciously acceded to my wishes, and told me I might
+henceforth consider myself one of the crew of the sloop.  I then
+ascertained what had hitherto escaped my knowledge,   that the
+sloop was called the "Lapwing" of St. Bartholomew; but really
+belonged to Mr. Thomas, an opulent merchant residing in St.
+George, Grenada, and was about to proceed to that port with a
+cargo of flour and other articles of American produce.  Bohun was
+a clerk with Mr. Thomas; and he assured me that on his
+representations of my conduct to his employer, and the unfortunate
+consequences of it to myself, that gentleman would undoubtedly
+show his appreciation of my services in a manner highly proper and
+acceptable.
+
+This consideration, however, had no weight with me.  All I asked
+for was employment.  I wanted to be placed in a situation where by
+my labors I could earn my living.  This I then regarded as
+independence; and I have never since seen cause to change that
+opinion.
+
+As the Lapwing belonged nominally and officially to a Swedish
+port, it was necessary she should have Swedish officers and in
+part a Swedish crew.  The captain was a tall, stiff-looking man,
+whose name was Lordick.  He was a native of the little island of
+Saba; and two of the crew belonged to the same place.  The mate
+was a native of St. Bartholomew.  All belonging to the sloop were
+creoles, and assumed to be subjects of the king of Sweden,
+excepting Bohun and myself; and I had been so much exposed to the
+sun in that hot climate, that I looked as much like a creole as
+any person on board.
+
+The island of Saba is in sight of St. Bartholomew   a level,
+precipitous rock, nine miles in circumference, highest in the
+enter, appearing like a mound rising out of the sea, and covered
+with no great depth of soil.  Saba was first settled by a colony
+of Dutch from St. Eustatia towards the close of the seventeenth
+century.  It is a place of no trade, having no harbor, and is but
+little known.  It is accessible only on the south side, where
+there is a narrow, intricate, and artificial path leading from the
+landing-place to the summit.  Frequent rains give growth to fruit
+and vegetables of large size and superior flavor, which are
+conveyed to the neighboring islands in open boats and sold.  It
+contained in the early part of the present century about fifty
+families of whites, and probably double that number of slaves.
+The chief employment of the inhabitants consisted in cultivating
+the soil, and raising, besides vegetables and fruit, cotton, which
+the women spun and manufactured into stockings, of a very delicate
+fabric, that readily commanded a high price in the neighboring
+islands.  The people, living in a village on the top of a rock
+between the sky and the sea, enjoy the benefits of both elements
+without dreading their storms.  Indeed, Saba is one of those quiet
+secluded nooks, which are sometimes unexpectedly discovered in
+different parts of the world, where the people, generation after
+generation, live in a sort of primitive simplicity, and pride
+themselves upon their peculiarities and seclusion from mankind.
+The traveller in quest of novelties would do well to visit Saba.
+
+In a few days after I became one of the crew of the Lapwing, that
+vessel was ready for sea.  Captain Lordick manifested toward me a
+friendly feeling; he sympathized with me in my misfortunes; made
+me a present of some articles, which, although of trifling
+intrinsic value, were highly useful; and inveighed in severe terms
+against the villainy of Strictland.
+
+The day before we left port, Captain Lordick called me into the
+cabin.  "Hawser," said he, "you are an American, but you have no
+evidence of that fact.  The trading vessels among the islands are
+often boarded by English men-of-war, with a view to get men to
+supply a deficiency in their crews.  If an Englishman is found, he
+is sure to be impressed.  As you have no "protection," and the
+burden of proof lies with you, you will be regarded as an
+Englishman, a proper person to serve the king of Great Britain.
+Even if you state the truth, and claim to be an American, there
+will be no means of escape from this terrible species of
+servitude.  I have a plan to propose, which may save you from the
+clutches of John Bull.  The natives of St. Bartholomew, and also
+of Saba, which is a dependency on Holland, are exempted from
+impressment, provided they can exhibit proofs of their
+citizenship.  Therefore every sailor belonging to those islands is
+provided with a document, called a 'burgher's brief,' which, like
+an American protection, gives a minute description of the person
+of the bearer, and is signed and sealed by the official
+authorities.  Now, Hawser," continued the generous creole, "I had
+a younger brother who died of yellow fever in St. Kitts some six
+months ago.  He was about your age, and resembled you in
+appearance.  His 'burgher's brief,' as a citizen of St.
+Bartholomew, is now in my possession.  Therefore you shall no
+longer be a citizen of the United States, but a native of Saba.  I
+assure you there are very good people in Saba; and your name is no
+longer Hawser Martingale, but John Lordick; remember this; I shall
+so enter your name in the ship's papers.
+
+The captain's reasons for a change in my identity were powerful.
+Besides, a "purser's name" was a common thing among sailors.  And
+although I felt unwilling to forego my claim to American
+citizenship, even for a brief period, I convinced myself that no
+evil to anyone, but much good to myself, would be likely to result
+from such a course.  Expediency is a powerful casuist; the
+captain's kindness also touched my heart, and conquering an
+instinctive repugnance to sacrifice the truth under any
+circumstances, I rashly told him that in accordance with his
+suggestion, I would adopt the name of his brother for a short
+time, and endeavor not to disgrace it.
+
+"I have no fear that you will," said he.
+
+
+Chapter XXVI
+COASTING AMONG THE ISLANDS
+
+We left St. Bartholomew in the Lapwing and proceeded on our way
+towards Grenada.  I was treated with kindness by every person in
+the sloop, and found my situation far more agreeable than when
+loafing and vagabondizing about the wharves.
+
+Mr. Bohun was a light-hearted young man, intelligent, high-
+spirited, and impulsive.  He conversed with me about the events of
+the war, and speculated freely in relation to the future.  He
+spoke of the defeat of General Hull as an event which might have
+been expected.  When I expressed an opinion that our national
+vessels would be more successful on the sea, he appeared amused,
+laboring under the error which was universal among the British at
+that time, that an American frigate of the first class could
+hardly be considered a match for an English sloop-of-war.
+
+I spoke of the action between the President and the Little Belt,
+where one broadside, fired through mistake by the American
+frigate, transformed the proud and defiant sloop-of-war into a
+sinking wreck.  But my argumentative fact was met by a reference
+to the unfortunate affair between the Leopard and the Chesapeake.
+I urged that the Chesapeake, although rated and officered and
+manned as a frigate, was merely an armed STORE-SHIP carrying out
+supplies in a time of peace to our ships in the Mediterranean.
+But Bohun, like every other Briton I have met with, would not
+admit the efficiency of the excuse.  I next recurred to the
+Tripolitan war, and alluded to the many deeds of daring performed
+by my gallant countrymen.  But Bohun contended that their feats of
+valor in a war against barbarians could not be regarded as a test
+of their ability to battle on equal terms against the most
+accomplished seamen in the world.  Bohun said that the Shannon and
+the Guerriere, two of the finest frigates in the English navy, had
+recently been fitted out and ordered to cruise on the American
+coast, with the expectation that a single-handed contest between
+one of these vessels and an American frigate of the first class
+would humble the pride of the Yankees, and decide the question of
+superiority.  I could only reply that I hoped the meeting would
+soon take place, and when it did, he would be as much astonished
+as I should be gratified at the result.
+
+The next morning after the above conversation, we were passing
+along the westerly side of the island of Dominica, and Mr. Bohun
+expressed a wish to touch at Rosseau, the principal port in the
+island, in order to obtain some desirable information.  When off
+the mouth of the harbor, orders were given for the sloop to lie
+off and on, while the supercargo was conveyed on shore in the
+yawl, pulled by one of my Saba countrymen and myself.  On reaching
+a landing place, Bohun directed us to remain by the boat until he
+should return, which would be in the course of half an hour, and
+tripped gayly up the wharf.
+
+The town of Rosseau is pleasantly situated in a valley near the
+seashore.  The harbor is little better than an open roadstead, and
+is defended by strong fortifications overhanging the city.  The
+town has been three times destroyed; once by an inundation from
+the mountains after heavy rains which swept away many of the
+dwellings and caused the death of numerous inhabitants.  Some ten
+or twenty years afterwards, when the town had been rebuilt, a
+destructive fire raged through the place, laid it in ashes, and
+destroyed an immense deal of property.  A third time it was
+destroyed ay a furious hurricane, when nearly all the houses were
+demolished or unroofed, and hundreds of the inhabitants were
+killed or seriously wounded.  Having thus been at different times
+a victim to the rage of three of the elements, air, fire, and
+water, many were led to believe that the final destruction of the
+place would be caused by an earthquake.
+
+It was about two o'clock in the afternoon when Bohun came down to
+the boat, having been absent between three and four hours.  His
+countenance was lighted up with a smile of gayety, and his eyes
+sparkled as if he had joyful news to communicate.
+
+"Well, John," he shouted as he came within hail, "there has been
+an arrival from Halifax, and a piece of important intelligence has
+been received."
+
+"Indeed, sir," said I, with a faltering voice, as from his
+cheerful bearing I anticipated unfavorable tidings; "what is the
+character of the news?"
+
+"A desperate battle has been fought between the British frigate
+Guerriere, and the American frigate Constitution.  What do you
+think of that?" added he, with a light laugh.
+
+"Which gained the victory, sir?" said I, almost afraid to make the
+inquiry.
+
+"One of the frigates," said he, without replying to my question,
+"was thoroughly whipped in short order and in handsome style,
+dismasted and sunk, with one half of her crew killed and wounded,
+while the injury the other received was hardly worth mentioning.
+Which do YOU think gained the day?"
+
+"The American frigate, of course," said I.  "You are right, John,"
+exclaimed Bohun with a laugh.  THE CONSTITUTION HAS SUNK THE
+GUERRIERE.  Brother Jonathan is looking up.  He is a worthy
+descendant of John Bull.  I find you understand the character of
+your sailors better than I do."
+
+After having imparted this interesting piece of intelligence, and
+telling my shipmate and myself to remain by the boat until he
+should return, which would be in a few minutes, he again walked
+nimbly up the street, and was soon lost to sight.
+
+As in duty bound we remained at the wharf in expectation of the
+return of Bohun, but hour after hour passed and he did not return.
+He was "enjoying life" among some boon companions, and over a
+decanter of good wine, as he afterwards acknowledged, lost for a
+time all recollection of the existence not only of the boat, but
+also of the sloop.
+
+When the company broke up about nine o'clock in the evening, he
+came staggering down the wharf, rolled himself into the stern
+seats of the boat, and ordered us to shove off and pull towards
+the sloop.  We represented to him that the night was dark and
+cloudy, and it would be next to an impossibility to find the sloop
+in the broad bay at that hour; that the attempt would be attended
+with risk, and consequently it would be wiser to wait until
+morning before we left the quay.
+
+Our remonstrances were of no avail.  He insisted on going off
+immediately.   Nothing, he said, would induce him to wait until
+morning; he knew exactly where to find the sloop, and could steer
+the boat directly alongside.
+
+It was useless to argue with him, and we dared not disobey his
+orders.  The motto of Jack, like the submissive response of a
+Mussulman to an Eastern caliph, is "To hear is to obey."  We left
+the wharf and pulled briskly out of the harbor.  But no sloop was
+to be seen.  We stopped for a moment to reconnoitre, but Bohun
+told us to keep pulling; it was all right; we were going directly
+towards her.  In a few minutes he dropped the tiller and sank down
+in the bottom of the boat, where he lay coiled up like a hedgehog,
+oblivious to all that was passing around him.
+
+By this time we were broad off in the bay; the lights in the town
+glimmered in the distance, the stars shone occasionally through
+the broken clouds, the wind was light, and the sea comparatively
+smooth.  On consultation with my shipmate, we came to the
+conclusion it was hardly worth while to pull the boat about in
+different directions on a bootless quest after the sloop.  We also
+rejected the idea of returning to the town.  We laid in our oars,
+composed ourselves as comfortably as we could beneath the thwarts,
+and with clear consciences resigned ourselves to sleep.
+
+We must have slept for hours when we were awakened by an
+unpleasant and alarming noise.  It was some minutes before we
+could recollect ourselves and ascertain the cause of the hubbub.
+It proved to be the roaring of the wind, the pattering of the
+rain, and the angry dash of the waves.  While we slept a severe
+squall had been gradually concocted among the mountains, and now
+burst upon us in all its fury.  How long the wind had been blowing
+we did not know; but we did know we were some miles out to sea in
+a cockle-shell of a boat, and rapidly drifting farther from the
+land.  No lights could be seen in any quarter; but all around was
+dark and drear.  We supposed that as a matter of course the wind
+blew from the land, and therefore got out our oars and pulled dead
+to windward, thus preventing further drift, and lessening our
+danger by laying the boat head to the sea, which was now rapidly
+rising.
+
+The squall continued for an hour after we were conscious of its
+existence; we were thoroughly drenched, but exercise kept us warm;
+while Bohun still maintained his snug position beneath the stern
+seats in a happy state of unconsciousness of the jarring of the
+elements and the peril to which he was exposed.
+The first streaks of dawn were hailed with delight, and at broad
+daylight we beheld the sloop, which had been driven to leeward
+during the night; and although eight or ten miles from the land,
+she was not more than a couple of miles to windward of the boat,
+and beating up towards the harbor.  We awakened Bohun, whose
+garments were saturated by the shower, and who seemed greatly
+amused with our account of the night's adventure.  The wind was
+fortunately light, and by dint of hard rowing, we soon got near
+enough to the Lapwing to make signals, and were recognized.  The
+sloop then bore away and ran down, and we were truly rejoiced,
+fatigued, wet, hungry as we were, to stand again upon the deck.
+
+Proceeding along to leeward of Martinico and St. Lucia, we came to
+St. Vincent, an island about twenty miles in length from north to
+south, which was chiefly remarkable at that time as being the only
+abiding place of the once numerous and warlike tribe of the
+Caribs, who inhabited the Windward Islands when the American
+continent was discovered, and were doomed, like all other tribes
+of their race, to wilt and die beneath the sun of civilization.
+
+The Caribs, although described by historians as fierce and
+unpitying cannibals of the lowest grade of human organization,
+undoubtedly possessed moral and intellectual faculties by no means
+inferior to the great body of American Indians; but, like the
+tribe of savages which inhabited the island of Hispaniola, and
+other tribes on the continent, they observed the custom of
+flattening their heads, which gave to their features an unnatural
+and sinister expression, by no means calculated to gain the good
+will and confidence of strangers.  The head was squeezed, soon
+after birth, between two boards, applied before and behind, which
+made the front and back part of the head resemble two sides of a
+square.  This custom is still retained among the Caribs of St.
+Vincent.
+
+The flattening of the head among the natives of Hispaniola was
+performed in a different manner, and produced a different effect.
+The forehead only was depressed, almost annihilating the facial
+angle, and swelling the back part of the head out of all
+proportion.  The early Spanish settlers complained of this savage
+custom, as subjecting them to much inconvenience.  In the course
+of their HUMANE experiments, they ascertained that, owing to the
+thickening of the back part of the cranium caused by this process,
+the broadsword of the strongest cavalier could not cleave the
+skull at a single blow, but would often snap off in the middle
+without serious damage to the owner of the cranium!
+
+When I passed along the shores of the island of St. Vincent, in
+1810, I was particularly struck with the wild and uncultivated
+appearance of the northern section,   a huge mountain, or
+combination of mountains, rudely precipitous, covered with
+luxuriant vegetation even to the summit, but containing deep
+chasms or gorges, down which sparkling streams were rushing,
+forming numerous waterfalls, and all constituting a wild,
+picturesque, and attractive landscape.
+
+When I passed St. Vincent in the Lapwing, in October, 1812, a
+mighty change had taken place.  Every trace of vegetation had
+vanished from this part of the island; not a tree or a shrub
+remained.  The rivers were dried up, and even the deep and dark
+chasms and gorges no longer existed.  Cinders and ashes covered
+the mountain sides, and beds of lava were pouring down from the
+summit, and hissing as they entered the ocean.  On the 30th of
+April,   about one month after the terrible earthquake by which
+the city of Caraccas, three hundred and sixty miles distant, was
+destroyed, and twelve thousand of the inhabitants buried in the
+ruins,   an eruption took place from an old crater on the summit
+of this mountain in St. Vincent, at which for more than a century
+had shown no symptom of life.  The eruption was sudden and over
+whelming.  Stones and ashes were scattered over the island;
+vessels more than a hundred miles to the eastward had their decks
+covered with cinders, and the crews were terrified at the noises
+which attended this fierce ebullition of the warring elements
+beneath the earth's surface.  At St. Bartholomew, distant from St.
+Vincent about three hundred miles, the explosions were distinctly
+heard, and through the whole night were so continuous and loud as
+to resemble a heavy cannonading from hostile fleets.  Indeed, it
+was believed for several days that a desperate action between
+English and French squadrons had been fought within the distance
+of a few miles.  By this eruption the vegetation on the north part
+of the island, comprising one third of the whole territory, was
+destroyed, and the soil rendered sterile,   being covered to a
+great depth with cinders and ashes.  All the lands in the
+immediate vicinity were also rendered unfit for cultivation.  What
+is remarkable, but few lives were lost.  The unfortunate Caribs,
+however, who comprised about one hundred families, dwelt in this
+ungenial and unproductive district, and were driven from their
+homes to find elsewhere and nearer to the habitations of the
+whites, some desolate spot, shunned by all others, where they
+could again set up their household gods.
+
+Proceeding past St. Vincent we came to the Grenadines, a cluster
+of small islands and rocks lying between St. Vincent and Grenada;
+two of which only, Bequia and Curriacou, are of any importance.
+These two islands are fertile, and produce a considerable quantity
+of cotton.  Others, although small, are cultivated; and the isle
+of Rhoude, which lies within a few miles of Grenada, is in itself
+a large cotton plantation.  One of these islets, or, more properly
+speaking, isolated rocks, lying not far from the shores of
+Grenada, and at a distance from the cluster is remarkable as
+having been the scene of an event which tradition seems to have
+carefully, if not faithfully, recorded.  In the obstinate wars
+between France and Holland, in the middle of the eighteenth
+century, a Dutch frigate, commanded by a burly and brave officer,
+a genuine fire-eater, especially when he had his "schnapps" on
+board, was cruising under the lee of Grenada, and fell in with a
+large ship, to which the frigate gave chase.  The ship answered no
+signals, but hoisted a white flag and fired a gun to windward, and
+was thus recognized as a French frigate or heavy sloop-of-war.
+
+Night was coming on, and the chase, with a pleasant breeze, stood
+on a wind to the northward and eastward.  The valiant "mynheer,"
+whose courage, by means of schnapps, had been screwed up to the
+sticking point, made all sail after the enemy, and caused a double
+portion of the stimulating article to be served out to his crew.
+Under this invigorating influence he made a speech, in which he
+promised a rich reward to all who would manfully assist in giving
+the enemy a double dose of "donner and blitzen."  He further
+promised that, to give his crew a good chance to distinguish
+themselves, he would lay the ship alongside the enemy, and fight
+the battle yard-arm and yard-arm.  The gallant crew gave three
+hearty cheers, and swore to do their duty as became the countrymen
+of Van Tromp.
+
+Darkness soon came on.  The night was cloudy, and the wind was
+moderate.  The chase was lost sight of, though it was believed the
+Dutchman was losing with the enemy hand over hand.  The decks were
+cleared for action, the deck lanterns lighted, the guns double-
+shotted, and men with eyes of preternatural brilliancy stationed
+on the lookout.
+
+Hours passed in anxious expectation, and another allowance of
+schnapps was served out to keep up the spirits of the crew; when,
+to the great gratification of every man on board, a lookout on the
+end of the flying jib-boom shouted, "Sail, ho!"  The chase was
+soon distinctly visible, looming up, not like a speck, but like a
+LARGE BLACK SPOT on the dark horizon.  A bloody battle was now
+certain to take place, and mynheer, combining discretion with
+valor, took in his light sails, and got his ship into a condition
+to be easily handled..
+
+The Frenchman was apparently lying to, waiting for his antagonist
+to come up.  He did not have long to wait.  The Dutch frigate
+luffed up on his weather quarter, ranged alongside within musket
+shot, and poured in a tremendous broadside, then shooting ahead,
+peppered the astonished enemy in a truly scientific manner.  The
+frigate then wore short round athwart the Frenchman's bows,
+sweeping his decks with another terrible broadside.  The Dutchman
+kept up the combat with a degree of courage, energy, and spirit
+that was a marvel to behold; sometimes lying athwart the enemy's
+wake and raking the decks with terrible effect; sometimes crossing
+the bows and sending the devastating iron shower the whole length
+from stem to stern; and sometimes lying bravely alongside, as if
+courting, as well as giving, hard knocks; and displaying, under
+these critical circumstances, specimens of seamanship and
+maneuvering which would have commanded the admiration of the great
+DeRuyter himself.
+
+But a combat fought with such desperation could not last forever.
+One of the frigate's guns, being overcharged, burst, killing
+several men and wounding others; and just as the first signs of
+daybreak were seen in the east, the Dutchman hauled off to repair
+damages and count his losses.  The enemy apparently had not lost a
+spar, notwithstanding the terrible hammering he had received, but
+continued doggedly lying to, preserving, to the great indignation
+of his opponent, a most defiant attitude.
+
+When daylight shone on the scene of battle, and the doughty
+Dutchman, having repaired damages, was ready to renew the combat,
+it suddenly became manifest to every man on board the frigate who
+had the proper use of his eyes, that the French ship-of-war which
+had so nobly sustained a tremendous cannonading through the night,
+was neither more nor less than A HUGE ROCK, which, with its head
+high above the surface, like the Sail-rock near the island of St.
+Thomas, marvellously resembled a ship under sail.  The captain of
+the frigate rubbed his eyes on beholding the unexpected vision, as
+much astonished as the chivalrous Don Quixote, who, after an
+unsuccessful contest with a squad of giants, found his enemies
+transformed into windmills.  This rock was afterwards known as
+rock Donner or Donnerock, and will stand forever an imperishable
+monument commemorative of "Dutch courage."
+
+The principal town in Grenada is St. George, which is situated on
+a bay on the south-west side of the island, and is defended by
+heavy fortifications.  On arriving at the mouth of the harbor in
+the Lapwing, we fell in with a large brig-of-war, called the
+Ringdove, and was boarded before we came to anchor in the bay.
+When the boat from the brig was approaching, it was strange to see
+the trepidation which seized every one of our crew.  Although all,
+with the exception of myself, were in possession of genuine legal
+documents that should have served as impregnable barriers against
+impressment, yet they had witnessed so many facts showing the
+utter disregard of human or divine laws on the part of the
+commanders of British ships-of-war when in want of men, that they
+awaited the result of the visit with fear and trembling.
+
+A lieutenant came on board and conversed pleasantly with the
+captain and supercargo.  The men were mustered and called aft to
+the quarter-deck, and carefully scrutinized by the boarding
+officer.  Our protections were examined, but being printed or
+inscribed in the Swedish language, were not read.  Every thing
+appeared according to rule.  The lieutenant looked hard at me as
+John Lordick, and asked some questions of the captain, to which
+the captain replied, "He is my brother," which seemed to settle
+the matter.  The boat returned on board the Ringdove, and I, as
+well as the others, rejoiced in having eluded impressment in a
+man-of-war.
+
+The sloop was brought to anchor, and the cook and myself were
+ordered into the boat for the purpose of setting the captain and
+supercargo on shore.  We pulled around the principal fort, which
+is situated on a point of land, and entered a beautiful land-
+locked harbor, or careenage, where a number of vessels were lying
+at the wharves.  The captain and supercargo landed on one of these
+wharves, and the captain directed the cook to accompany him to the
+market square for the purpose of procuring fresh provisions; I was
+ordered to remain by the boat.
+
+When the captain was gone, and I was left standing alone, my
+thoughts again recurred to the subject of impressment, which had
+so completely engrossed the minds of the crew that morning; and I
+thought to myself, "Suppose some crafty, determined, unscrupulous
+officer of the Ringdove, or some other British vessel, should be
+at this very time on shore, lounging about the wharves, disguised
+as an inoffensive citizen, but watching an opportunity to pounce
+upon a poor unfortunate fellow, like myself, and bear him off in
+triumph, to become a victim of the cat-o'-nine-tails at the
+gangway, or food for gunpowder."  While I was shuddering at the
+idea of such a climax to my adventures, I saw a man coming towards
+me, whose countenance and demeanor aroused all my suspicions.  He
+was a thick-set, swarthy individual, with enormous black whiskers
+and sparkling black eyes.  He was dressed like a gentleman, but I
+thought his garments hung loosely about him; indeed, his whole
+appearance, in my eyes, was that of the leader of a press-gang or
+the captain of a band of pirates.  He eyed me closely as he
+advanced towards me with what I conceived to be a regular man-of-
+war swagger.  Being driven to bay, I stood my ground firmly, and
+confronted him.
+
+"Do you belong to the sloop which is anchored in the bay, my lad?"
+inquired he, with a mild voice and pleasant smile, affected, of
+course, to conceal his real intentions.
+
+"Yes," was my rather curt reply.
+
+"What is the name of the sloop?"
+
+"Lapwing."
+
+"Where does the Lapwing belong?"
+
+"To St. Bartholomew."
+
+"Where are you from last?"
+
+"St. Bartholomew."
+
+"Hum!  What is the name of your captain?"
+
+"James Lordick."
+
+"Ah, James Lordick?" exclaimed he, with vivacity.  "Indeed" Then
+addressing me abruptly, he inquired, "Where do YOU belong?"
+
+"Now for it," thought I to myself; "the time has come when I must
+plunge headforemost into the sea of falsehood; so here goes."  And
+I answered boldly, "To Saba."
+
+"To Saba?  Do you, indeed?" And he gazed at me with his piercing
+eyes, as if he could read my very soul.  "To Saba.  You belong to
+Saba?  What is your name?"
+
+"John Lordick."
+
+"Is it possible!" exclaimed my black-whiskered friend.  "Are you
+REALLY John Lordick, the brother of James?  Good Lord!  Who would
+have thought it!"
+
+Thus strongly appealed to, I felt unable to reply except by an
+affirmative nod.
+
+"So you are John Lordick?  I heard you were dead.  How the world
+is given to lying!  I should never have known you.  You have
+changed amazingly since I left Saba six years ago, John."
+
+As this remark did not necessarily require any reply, I made none.
+I now began to suspect that I was mistaken in the estimate of the
+character of my interrogator   that he was neither the captain of
+a band of pirates nor the leader of a press-gang; and it being my
+first essay at carrying out a system of falsehood, I was terribly
+frightened at the dilemma in which I was involved.  I lost my
+presence of mind, and instead of frankly avowing the truth, as
+policy, as well as principle, would have dictated, I came to the
+conclusion to stick by my story, and carry out the deception to
+the end of the chapter.  But my mortification, my confusion, my
+chagrin, at being subjected to this unforeseen cross-examination,
+can hardly be conceived.  I envied the condition of the wretch
+standing by the gallows with a noose around his neck.   After a
+brief pause, my tormentor continued   "Do you recollect me?"
+
+"No," said I, promptly; and glad of a chance to speak a little
+truth, I added, "To the best of my knowledge, I never saw you
+before in my life."
+
+"Ha!  Ha!  Ha!"  My friend seemed greatly amused.  "Can it be that
+I have changed so much within a few short years?  You knew me well
+enough once, John, when I lived opposite your father's house.  I
+am Lewis Brown."  And in a friendly, but somewhat patronizing
+manner, he held out his hand.
+
+"Indeed," said I, grasping his proffered hand, "Lewis Brown!  I
+never should have recognized you."
+
+"Yes," said Brown, "six years WILL make a change in one's
+appearance.  I should never have recognized you as John Lordick.
+How is your sister, Bertha, and all the rest of the folks?"
+
+"Well, quite well."
+
+"Whom did your sister marry?"
+
+"She is not married yet," said I.
+
+"Not married yet!  Why, she must be at least twenty years old.
+When I left home, she was a beautiful girl   even then a belle.
+Not married, and in Saba!  But she will be, soon, I suppose."
+
+"Perhaps," said I.
+
+"Ah!  Ah!  She is engaged, I see.  Who is the happy man?"
+
+"Indeed, I don't know," I exclaimed, wishing the inquisitive
+fellow at the bottom of the Red Sea, with a twenty-four pound shot
+fastened to his feet.
+
+"What has become of your cousin, Mark Haraden?  Is he as lively
+and good-humored as ever?"
+
+This Lewis Brown, delighted at having met with an old
+acquaintance, seemed bent on getting all the information and
+gossip about his old cronies, that chance had thrown in his way.
+Fearing I might perpetrate some palpable absurdity in my fabulous
+statements, as in the case of my "sister Bertha," I resolved to
+kill off all his friends and relations in detail, without ceremony
+or remorse.  And therefore I replied to the question about Mark
+Haraden by saying,
+
+"O!  Mark was capsized by a squall while going in a boat from St.
+Martin to St. Bartholomew with a load of sugar, and all hands were
+lost."
+
+"Poor fellow!  Poor fellow!  I am sorry to hear this; but life's
+uncertain.  Where is Nicholas Ven Vert now?"
+
+"Nicholas Van Vert?  He happened to be at St. Kitts last year when
+the yellow fever broke out there, and was attacked with it the day
+after he reached home, and lived only three days."
+
+"Indeed!  Indeed!  Well, we should all be prepared for whatever
+may happen!  How is old Captain Wagner   as hale and hearty as
+ever?"
+
+"The old man slipped and fell over a precipice on the north side
+of the island a few weeks ago, and broke his neck."
+
+"Good Lord!  What a terrible mortality among my best friends in
+Saba!  I am almost afraid to inquire after my old flame, Julia
+Hoffner.  What has become of her?"
+
+While I was considering in what way I should dispose of the fair
+and interesting Julia, a grinning darkey, who had approached the
+wharf in great haste, shouted, "Captain Brown, massa mate wants
+you on board, right off, directly"
+
+I felt grateful to the dark-complexioned youth for the seasonable
+interruption, and secretly resolved that if it should ever be in
+my power to do him a good turn, I would do it.  Unfortunately for
+him, I never saw him more.
+
+Captain Brown seemed annoyed at the summons, and turning to me,
+said, "I suppose I must go, John, but I'll be back in a minute.
+It's a real treat to talk to a Saba man.  But you have told me
+some sad news   don't go away."  And the inquisitive gentleman
+walked off, looking as sad and forlorn as if he had really "lost
+all his friends," and leaving me half dead with terror lest my
+falsehoods should be detected, and perspiring with remorse at
+having made such a rectangular deviation from the strict line of
+truth.
+
+I breathed more freely.  I had obtained a respite from my
+sufferings.  I cast a searching look up the street, to see if the
+captain or the cook was coming, and on finding no signs of aid
+from that quarter, I fairly turned my back upon the boat, and ran
+off to some distance, where, concealed behind an old building, I
+could, by peering round a corner, note every transaction which
+took place on the wharf.
+
+A few minutes only elapsed when the inquisitive Captain Lewis
+Brown returned with hurried steps to the spot where our conference
+was held.  He seemed disappointed, and, I thought, somewhat hurt
+at not finding his old acquaintance, John Lordick.  He looked
+around inquiringly in every direction, but apparently convinced
+that I had absconded, again walked away, but this time slowly, as
+if pondering on the startling information I had given him.  Soon
+afterwards the cook came down loaded with fresh provisions.  He
+brought orders from the captain to go on board immediately, and
+return for him at twelve o'clock.
+
+At the hour appointed, the boat, with myself pulling the bow oar,
+approached the wharf, where, to my confusion, I found Captain
+Lordick in close conversation with my big-whiskered friend, Lewis
+Brown.  That gentleman gave me an angry look, but said not a word.
+It was clear that Captain Lordick had betrayed the secret of my
+citizenship, and had given him information in regard to his old
+friends and gossips, which differed materially from my
+extemporaneous effusions; so that so far from being rejoiced, as a
+reasonable man would have been, at finding his friends alive and
+well, he seemed greatly provoked, and eyed me with the ferocity of
+a cannibal on learning that they had not shuffled off this mortal
+coil in the manner I had so feelingly described.
+
+This gentleman proved to be the captain of a three-masted
+schooner, which traded between Cumana and the Islands, bringing
+over cargoes of mules.  He had resided in Saba in early life and
+bore the reputation of a worthy and respectable man.  I saw him
+several times after our memorable interview; but he always
+regarded me with a grim look, as if he owed me a heavy grudge, and
+would rejoice in an opportunity to pay it off.
+
+
+Chapter XXVII
+CROSSING THE MOUNTAINS
+
+In the afternoon the sloop was hauled into the inner harbor, and
+on the following day we commenced discharging cargo.  I took an
+early opportunity to hold some conversation with Captain Lordick
+on the subject of my change of name.  The Lesson I had received in
+my agonizing interview with Captain Brown made a deep impression
+on my mind, and doubtless had an effect in shaping my character in
+future life.
+
+I expressed my gratitude to Captain Lordick for the interest he
+took in my welfare, but frankly told him I could no longer sail
+under false colors; that falsehood, in any shape, was alien to my
+character; that I was determined to fall back on the name to which
+I was rightfully entitled, a very good and quiet name in itself,
+and acknowledge myself in all times and places a native citizen of
+the United States.  If I should be involved in trouble by this
+straightforward and honest mode of proceeding, impressed on board
+a man-of-war, or detained as a prisoner, in my tribulations I
+should be able to bear a bold front and enjoy the glorious
+consciousness of telling the truth and being no imposter.
+
+The captain stared.  Although a worthy and upright man, he could
+hardly appreciate the line of conduct I had determined to adopt.
+He urged that if I remained in those seas, and avowed myself an
+American without evidence of the fact, I should beyond all doubt
+be impressed, and under such circumstances I should not only be
+justified by the strictest code of morality in eluding the grasp
+of the kidnappers by changing my name, but be a great fool for
+rejecting such a simple and harmless means of safety.
+Nevertheless, I remained firm in my determination.
+
+In a few days the cargo was discharged, and I learned that the
+sloop was about to proceed on a trip to Barbadoes, and that Mr.
+Thomas, the owner, intended to go in the sloop as a passenger and
+take charge of the business.  I had seen Mr. Thomas, who was a
+fine-looking, portly gentleman, when he visited the sloop; but he
+had never spoken to me, and I had no longer any communication with
+Mr. Bohun.  Not a syllable had been lisped in relation to further
+compensation for my services in St. Bartholomew, which, I
+supposed, had been undervalued or forgotten, as a matter of
+course.  But in this supposition I was unjust; for, on the day on
+which it was expected the Lapwing would sail, Bohun came on board,
+and, referring to my conduct during the hurricane, said he felt
+uneasy in regard to my situation in the sloop, especially as the
+Lapwing was bound to a port which was much frequented by English
+men-of-war.  He suggested that some business on shore would be
+preferable to a voyage to the Island of Barbadoes.
+
+I heartily assented to this view of the subject, but added, that
+having neither money, clothing, nor friends, I felt rejoiced at
+procuring employment of any kind; but if I could obtain the means
+of living in the island until I could meet a favorable opportunity
+to return to my native country, this would be altogether more
+desirable than to be compelled to serve on board a man-of-war.
+
+"Well," said Bohun, "I will represent your case to Mr. Thomas, and
+perhaps he will be able to make some satisfactory arrangement."
+
+In two hours afterwards the Lapwing was ready for sea, being
+confined to the wharf by a single fast, when Mr. Thomas came on
+board accompanied by Bohun.  Mr. Thomas, with a dignified and
+patronizing air, said, "Young man, Mr. Bohun has just informed me
+that you rendered valuable aid in saving my vessel from shipwreck
+in St. Bartholomew.  It is a service that I cannot forget; and I
+shall be happy to bestow upon you a suitable recompense.  In the
+mean time you had better go ashore.  Mr. Bohun will take care of
+you, provide for your wants, and endeavor to procure you a proper
+situation.
+
+I accordingly went below, gathered together all my worldly
+effects, which were confined within a very small pocket
+handkerchief, took an affectionate farewell of my worthy friend
+and QUONDAM brother, Captain Lordick, and my Saba countrymen, and,
+lightly clad and barefooted, cheerfully stepped on shore, somewhat
+amused at the sudden change in my destiny, and wondering what new
+figure would be presented by the next shake of fortune's
+kaleidoscope.
+
+Bohun said that the first step should be to find a cheap and
+comfortable boarding house, where I could remain for a few days;
+that a widow woman kept a house of that description, he believed,
+not far from the wharves.  He pointed out the place, and suggested
+that I should call upon her immediately, make use of his name, and
+ascertain her price for board, and afterwards proceed to the
+counting room of Mr. Thomas, in a different part of the town,
+where we would confer together further.
+
+The boarding house to which Bohun directed my attention was an
+ordinary-looking abode; but I cared little for its character,
+provided the price would suit.  It was kept by a round-faced,
+jolly-looking, middle-aged woman, whose complexion bore
+unmistakable evidence of her African extraction.  I told my
+errand.  She threw a suspicious glance upon my person and on the
+diminutive bundle I held in my hand, and the result was
+unfavorable.
+
+Putting her arms akimbo, and assuming a stately manner, which
+appeared to be far from natural, she told me she had no spare room
+for boarders   her house was already full.
+
+"Very well," said I, "I must then apply elsewhere.  Mr. Bohun said
+he thought you would accommodate me, and he would be responsible
+for the pay."
+
+"Mr. Bohun!  O, that's another thing.  I can always find room for
+a friend of Mr Bohun;" and the whole broad expanse of her face was
+brightened by a smile.
+
+On inquiry I found that the price for board was two dollars and a
+half a day!  I was startled at this announcement.  The amount
+struck me as exorbitant when compared with the accommodations.  I
+had a secret misgiving that the good woman had not scrupled in
+this case to add at least a hundred and fifty per centum to her
+customary charges.  I told her I would consult Mr. Bohun, and be
+guided by his advice.
+
+I lost no time in proceeding to Mr. Thomas's counting room.  I
+communicated to Bohun the result of my inquiries, expressing an
+opinion that the price for board was exorbitantly high.  To my
+astonishment he seemed well satisfied, pronouncing it reasonable
+enough.  Being unaccustomed to the usages of the place, I supposed
+it must be all right, and made no further objections.
+
+Bohun took me to a clothing shop, and rigged me out from head to
+foot in a suit of decent garments   a luxury to which I had for
+some time been a stranger.  He also bought me an extra supply of
+clothing, and a variety of other articles which he assured me I
+should need.
+
+I was amazed at his liberality; but knowing Mr. Thomas was a rich
+man, I presumed that Bohun, by ministering to my wants in a manner
+not altogether offensive to my pride, was seeking to cancel
+obligations on the part of his employer, and perhaps at the same
+time was obeying the dictates of a benevolent heart, by rendering
+important assistance to a stranger in adversity.
+
+Week after week passed away.  I saw Bohun from time to time, but
+he could not procure me a desirable situation.  In the mean time
+the expenses for my board seemed to me a serious matter.  My pride
+took the alarm, and I could not rest easy under the idea that I
+was all the while living like a price at the expense of Mr.
+Thomas.  When I mentioned this to Bohun, he told me to keep quiet
+and give myself no anxiety; that my expenses, which I regarded as
+so heavy, were in reality trifling, and Mr. Thomas would never
+miss the amount.
+
+A few days after this conversation, Bohun called at my lodgings,
+and seemed quite excited.  "Hawser," said he, "I have pleasant
+news to communicate.  I have been so fortunate as to secure you an
+excellent situation on a plantation in the north part of the
+island.  Mr. Church, the attorney for the Pearl estates, was in
+town yesterday, and on my recommendation has consented to take you
+to fill a vacancy, in preference to several young men who are
+applicants for the place."
+
+"I should much prefer a situation as clerk on a wharf or in a
+counting room," said I.
+
+"O," replied Bohun, "this chance with Mr. Church is far better
+than a simple clerkship with a trader; the duties are not so
+arduous, and it will give you a better opportunity to rise in the
+world; besides, Mr. Church is an excellent man, a whole-souled
+Irishman, who has been in the army, and has great influence in the
+island.  He will send a mule and a guide over the mountains
+tomorrow; so you must prepare for the journey on the following
+day."
+
+"Very well," said I, hardly knowing whether to be pleased or
+dissatisfied with this arrangement, which I decided, however, to
+accept, with a mental determination, if I found my situation
+objectionable, to abandon it at once, and if I could do no better,
+try my fortunes again on the ocean.  In the mean time, I should
+see a new and perhaps interesting phase in life.
+
+"The Upper Pearl estate, where you will reside," continued Bohun,
+"is one of the healthiest estates on the island.  On some of the
+sugar plantations, 'fever and ague' prevails at certain seasons of
+the year, but is unknown on the Pearl estates.  Your situation
+will be a pleasant one in every respect."
+
+I shuddered at the idea of fever and ague, with the name of which
+disease the most pleasant associations were not connected, and
+congratulated myself on the fact that the Pearl estates were
+exempted from this and almost every other evil in the shape of
+sickness.  The next day I completed my preparations for a journey
+across the mountains to the opposite side of the island.
+Agreeably to a suggestion from Bohun, I procured from my
+accommodating landlady her bill for my board and lodging; to this
+she added another item for washing, swelling the amount to the
+very respectable sum of sixty-six dollars.
+
+I handed the bill to Bohun with an innocent and confiding look.
+He cast his eye over it, and started back aghast.  "What is all
+this?" said he.  "What does it mean?  Why, the woman is crazy."
+
+"It is right, sir," I replied.  "Twenty-five days at two dollars
+and a half a day come to sixty-two dollars and a half; and the
+washing, at one dollar a week,   she says she cannot do it for
+less,   makes a sum total of sixty-six dollars.  It is the amount
+agreed on, although you recollect I expressed an opinion more than
+once that the price for board was extravagantly high."
+
+"Two dollars and a half a DAY!" shouted he.  "Why, I understood
+the price to be two dollars and a half a WEEK, and supposed that
+half a doubloon would pay the whole debt."
+
+He seemed quite indignant at "the imposition," and indulged in
+severe remarks on the character of the woman with whom I boarded.
+He threatened to give her a regular reprimanding, and swore he
+would cut down her bill to less than one third of the amount.
+
+On the following morning, at about seven o'clock, I again went to
+the counting room, and found opposite the entrance a mule already
+bridled and saddled, with a negro guide to show me the way, over
+the mountains by the Grand Etang route, to the Upper Pearl estate.
+I took leave of Bohun, who wrung my hand affectionately at
+parting, and taking the direction indicated by my guide, entered
+on my journey.
+
+The road was rough and muddy,   for there had been heavy rains,
+the mule was lazy, and I was unaccustomed to this kind of
+travelling; besides, I found much on the route to excite my
+attention; much which was novel and highly interesting.  My
+progress was consequently slow.  The road passed among the sugar
+plantations, which were confined to the comparatively low lands
+near the sea shore; then ascending towards the mountains, winded
+through coffee and cacao estates, the successful cultivation of
+which articles of commerce requires a cooler and moister region
+than the sugar-cane.
+
+During this journey, I often stopped my mule on the summit of a
+commanding height, and gazed admiringly around on the beautiful
+and extensive prospect.  The well-cultivated plantations, each
+appearing like a village in itself, scattered among the many
+hills and valleys and intervals even to the very sea coast; the
+sea beyond, which at that distance seemed as smooth and polished
+as a mirror, encasing the island in a frame of silver; the
+luxuriant tropical foliage, whose beauty I had often heard
+described; the cocoanut, orange, tamarind, and guava trees, loaded
+with fruit, with plantains, bananas, pineapples, aloes and
+cactuses on every side, all filled my heart with wonder and
+delight.
+
+Taking the road leading over the mountains, which is impassable
+for carriages, I passed through vast tracks of forest, where the
+lofty trees were covered with stout vines reaching to the tree
+tops, rendering it difficult for man to penetrate those sylvan
+recesses.  Near the highest part of this mountain road, at a
+height of several thousand feet above the sea, is situated a
+romantic lake, called by the French the Grand Etang, or Great
+Lake, which fills the crater of an extinct volcano.  Near this
+spot, where the atmosphere is always cool and humid, we were
+suddenly enveloped in a cloud, and soon experienced the peltings
+of a tropical shower.  I received conclusive evidence that my
+garments were not water-proof before we could find shelter in a
+negro hut by the wayside.
+
+After passing the Grand Etang, we began to descend the mountains
+on our way towards the north side of the island.  The sun again
+shone brightly, and again a beautiful and expanded prospect met my
+view.  To the eastward was the little town of Greenville, situated
+at the head of a beautiful bay, in which several ships and quite a
+number of small vessels were riding at anchor.  Far to the north
+was seen the high and rugged island of St. Vincent, rising like a
+blue and jagged cloud out of the sea; and between that island and
+the shores of Grenada, a birdseye view could be obtained of the
+little islands and rocks, some cultivated and some barren, known
+as the Grenadines.  Among the plantations which appeared afar off,
+nearest the sea coast, my guide pointed out the Pearl estates,
+which, he said, with a degree of pride that caused me some
+astonishment, produced more sugar than any two estates in that
+part of the island.
+
+In the course of the route, I asked a thousand questions of my
+guide, who was an intelligent slave belonging to the Upper Pearl
+estate, and seemed delighted with an opportunity to display his
+knowledge.  He gave me much information, which I subsequently
+found to be correct, in relation to the mode of managing estates
+in the West Indies, and conducting the economy of those
+establishments, each of which, although of course subjected to the
+general laws of the colony, was in those days a community of
+itself, under the government of an absolute despotism, the best
+government in the world provided "the head man" possesses the
+attributes of goodness, wisdom, and firmness, and is exempt from
+the imperfections which seem inseparably attached to human nature.
+But when a despot can boast of none of those attributes, woe to
+the people who are obliged to submit to his oppressions and obey
+his behests!
+
+The island of Grenada, as is indeed the case with most of the
+Windward Islands, is well watered by rivers running from the
+mountains.  Some of the streams are of considerable size, and are
+never dry in seasons of the greatest drought.  The water,
+conducted by canals from these rivers, constituted the chief
+motive power for the machinery on the sugar estates, although in a
+few cases windmills were used for that purpose.  The estates
+comprised each an area of some two to five hundred acres, a
+considerable portion of which was planted with the cane.  The
+remainder was improved as sites for the various buildings, gardens
+for the slaves, fields of corn and "guinea grass," and other
+purposes.  The "sugar works" were placed as near the centre of the
+estate as convenience would admit.  The manager's house, which was
+a large, inconvenient, one-story building, with numerous out-
+houses, was generally situated on an elevated spot of land in the
+vicinity.  Another house of smaller size was occupied by the
+overseers.
+
+At no great distance from the "sugar works," and sometimes in
+close proximity, was a collection of huts, thirty or forty in
+number, cheaply constructed, with thatched roofs, and huddled
+together without any regard to order, or even convenience.  These
+were known as "negro houses," the dwellings of the slaves, where,
+when their daily tasks were ended, they could rest from their
+labors, and enjoy, without restraint, the few comforts which shed
+a gleam of sunshine over their condition.
+
+In their houses and families, the slaves made their own
+regulations.  Their enjoyments consisted chiefly in social
+gatherings and gossip.  The women derived gratification from showy
+dresses and decorations, and sometimes displayed their barbarian
+tendencies by indulging a love for scandal and mischief-making.
+They seemed constitutionally gay and cheerful, as was seen by
+their merry jokes and songs; and a loud, ringing, contagious,
+African laugh, in the jocund chorus of which many joined, was
+elicited on very slight provocation.
+
+In their habitations the slaves were greatly influenced, and
+sometimes controlled, by one or more intelligent individuals, who
+held superior positions, as is often the case in other
+communities.  The most important person among them was the "head
+field-driver," who held that position on account of his superior
+intelligence and fidelity.  The "head boiler" was also a man of
+consequence among them, also the head carpenter, cooper, and mule-
+driver.  These and others filled situations of responsibility,
+which required more than ordinary capacity.  Of these trusts they
+were proud.
+
+The manager or overseer on a plantation seldom interfered in the
+domestic arrangements of the slaves.  Their religious and moral
+instruction was neglected.  The marriage tie was not regarded as
+an indissoluble knot, but as a slender thread, to be broken by
+either party at will.  It is therefore not remarkable that the
+habits and conduct of these children of bondage were not of the
+most exemplary character.  Each family, who wished it, had a small
+lot of ground set apart as a garden in some district bordering
+upon the mountains, where those who were frugal and industrious
+cultivated yams, cassava, plantains, and other varieties of
+vegetables or fruit, which were sold to managers of estates, or
+carried to the nearest town on a Sunday and sold in the market
+place.  In this way some of the most thrifty could supply all
+reasonable wants, and even indulge in luxuries, which made them
+the envy of their neighbors; for even in the lowly negro houses of
+those plantations, as in every other assemblage of human beings,
+without regard to CASTE or color, were exhibited all the passions,
+virtues, and weaknesses incident to human nature.
+
+Sunday in the island was generally regarded as a holiday.  The
+slaves on the plantations on that day passed hours in cultivating
+their gardens, as well as in disposing of their produce and
+attending to their other concerns.  The planters visited each
+other on the Sabbath, gave dinner parties, made excursions to the
+neighboring towns to supply their wants at the stores, attended
+militia musters and shooting matches, indulged in games of quoits
+and other sports.  But religious services and religious
+instruction were almost entirely unknown.  Young men often came to
+the island who were educated in the strictest Presbyterian faith;
+lineal descendants of the old Scottish Covenanters; they were
+scandalized at the little attention given to religious duties and
+the habitual and open violation of the Sabbath.  A few months,
+however, of familiarity with the customs of the island produced a
+striking change in their ideas and acts; and their consciences,
+which were troublesome at first, were soon in a state of
+quiescence.
+
+A small amount of salted provisions, ling, stock fish, or salt
+fish was served out every week to the slaves on the plantations as
+a relish for their vegetables; and a limited, indeed scanty,
+supply of coarse clothing was annually distributed among them.
+For other articles of food and clothing, the slaves were compelled
+to rely on their own industry and management, excepting in "crop
+time," when the sugar works were in operation, and every person
+was allowed an unlimited amount of sirup, which is highly
+nutritious and wholesome.
+
+On every plantation might be found some wretched-looking,
+thriftless, or lazy negroes, of the vagabond order.  These
+miserable beings formed the lowest caste, and were despised and
+often persecuted by those of their fellow-slaves who were orderly
+and industrious, and cherished habits of self-respect.  These were
+the "pariahs" of the plantation, constituting a class of runaways,
+who, to avoid work or punishment, or the gibes and jeers of their
+more RESPECTABLE companions, took refuge in the mountains, and in
+some of the islands became formidable by their numbers and
+ferocity.  In Dominico, at one period, these run-away negroes,
+MAROONS, as they were called, amounted to more than a thousand.
+They were organized and armed, and subsisted by committing
+depredations and levying contributions on the plantations.  They
+were subdued only after a desperate and protracted struggle.
+
+The owners of plantations in the English West India Islands, as I
+have already intimated, usually resided at "home," in "Merry
+England," or the "Land of cakes;" and if they realized a handsome
+yearly profit from their estates, seldom interested themselves in
+the condition or welfare of the slaves.  Their agents in the
+islands were called ATTORNEYS, and were vested with almost
+unlimited power in the management of the property.  The trust was
+an important one, and the labors of an attorney were well
+compensated, which made the situation desirable.  It was sometimes
+the case that a person who bore a high character for shrewdness
+and efficiency acted as attorney for several estates.  This gave
+him great power and influence, moral and political, in the island.
+
+The ATTORNEY, holding a grade higher than that of MANAGER, kept a
+separate establishment, and lived in a loftier style.  He often
+resided in a pleasant and healthy location, some miles, perhaps,
+distant from the estate whose interest he was appointed to look
+after, and revelled in tropical luxury and aristocratic grandeur.
+The details of operations on the plantations were left to the
+manager, who was appointed by the attorney; and this situation
+being one of great importance, the manager being intrusted with
+the management of the slaves and the cultivation of the estate,
+required an incumbent of superior administrative abilities and
+large experience.
+
+The manager had generally two assistants to aid him in his arduous
+task, and direct the operations on the plantation.  During half
+the year, while the canes were planted and growing, these
+assistants superintended the agricultural labors and attended to
+various other matters, and in "crop time," in addition to their
+usual duties, one had charge of the distillery and the other
+looked after the manufacture of sugar.
+
+These assistants were called BOOKKEEPERS or OVERSEERS.  They were
+principally young men, of good characters, steady habits, and well
+educated, who had left their homes in Scotland to seek their
+fortunes in the West Indies.  Those who were not swept off by
+malignant diseases incident to tropical climates, and who
+continued correct in their conduct   which was not always the case
+  after a few years would be promoted to the situation of manager;
+and perhaps in time, if they evinced sufficient capacity, would
+reach the highest object of their ambition and become an attorney.
+It will be recollected that the poet Burns passed a whole day in
+taking leave of his "Highland Mary," when he had made his
+arrangements for going to the West Indies and obtaining a
+situation as overseer on a sugar plantation.  Very few cases ever
+came to my knowledge where a creole,   a white person born and
+"brought up" in the West Indies,   was engaged on an estate in any
+capacity.  The creoles were reputed lazy, loose in their morals,
+ignorant and unfaithful agents.  They were seldom employed, unless
+on a plantation which was notoriously unhealthy; where no man,
+unless he was born in the torrid zone, could expect to resist
+successfully the poisonous effects of the miasma.
+
+From what I have said it will be inferred that the manager of a
+plantation possessed great power, and that the treatment of the
+slaves was regulated in a great measure by the promptings of his
+head and heart.  A manager with a clear understanding, equable
+temper, and elevated principles, could reconcile his duty to the
+proprietor with justice and even kindness towards the slaves.  So
+far from treating them with cruelty or even severity, he allowed
+them every reasonable indulgence, and while he exacted the full
+quota of labor, looked after their condition, and made them as
+comfortable and contented as can be expected in a state of
+bondage.  Such managers were seen in Grenada, and where they
+ruled, the estates were prosperous, and the slaves cheerful and
+happy.
+
+Some managers, however, were of a different character, and,
+instigated by whim, liquor, an evil temper, hatred to the African
+race, or a desire to get an impossible amount of work, acted the
+part of tyrants and oppressors, and made the slaves feel that they
+were trodden beneath the foot of a master.
+
+But policy, a regard for the interest of the owner of the estate,
+generally prevented the infliction of ill treatment and privations
+which bore severely on the slaves; and public opinion, as well as
+the laws of the colony, restrained the manager from the commission
+of extraordinary acts of cruelty.  In the British island of
+Tortola, only a few years before my sojourn in Grenada, the
+manager of a plantation was arrested for causing the death of a
+slave by inhuman punishment.  He was tried, convicted of murder,
+and hanged.  The penalty exacted met the sanction of public
+opinion.  A full report of the trial was published in a pamphlet
+form and circulated among the islands, and was doubtless the means
+of preventing similar acts of monstrous cruelty.
+
+
+Chapter XXVIII
+SCENES IN GRENADA
+
+Owing to the many delays on my route across the mountains, it was
+twilight when I reached an ordinary looking house, situated on an
+elevated piece of land surrounded on every side by fields of sugar
+cane.  The lands in the vicinity appeared low, and there were
+indications of swamps at no great distance.  About a mile off, in
+a northerly direction, was the broad ocean.  A mule, saddled and
+bridled, stood at the door.  My guide told me, with an air of
+triumph, that this was the Upper Pearl estate.
+
+As I alighted from my mule, a tall man, with a sad countenance,
+thin and pallid cheeks, and a tottering frame, came out of the
+house leaning upon the arm of another person.  This sickly-looking
+gentleman, who proved to be the manager, welcomed me to the
+plantation, and expressed satisfaction at my arrival.  He was on
+the point of leaving the estate for a few days, he said, on a
+visit to a friend near the mountains.  In the mean time Mr.
+Murray, the gentleman by whom he was supported, was to look after
+the plantation and attend to my comforts.  This spectral-looking
+object then, with difficulty, mounted his mule, and accompanied by
+an able-bodied negro on foot, slowly rode away from the estate.
+
+Mr. Murray received me with cordiality, and tendered me the
+hospitalities of the mansion.  He was a man of pleasing address
+and more than ordinary intelligence.  I afterwards learned that he
+was the secretary of Mr. Church, the attorney for the Pearl
+estates.  After some little conversation, he abruptly asked me
+what quarter of the world I came from.
+
+"I am an American," was my not very definite reply.
+
+"O," he remarked, with a significant wink, which was evidently
+intended as a good-natured hint, "you are from Canada, or Nova
+Scotia, I suppose."
+
+"No, sir," said I, emphatically, determined that my position
+should be distinctly understood, "I was born in the town of
+Tyngsboro, in the state of Massachusetts, and am a citizen of the
+United States."
+
+Having a vague suspicion that the Pearl estate was not the
+paradise described by Bohun, I inquired why the manager had left
+the estate so abruptly.
+
+"Because he is attacked with fever, and would not live forty-eight
+hours if he remained here."
+
+I was shocked at this announcement, and pursued my inquiries.  "Is
+fever a common occurrence on this plantation, or is this sickness
+of the manager an extraordinary case?"
+
+"Common enough, in all conscience," replied Murray, with a laugh.
+"Mr. Orr is the second manager who has been driven off by sickness
+within the last six months.  Two overseers have died within a
+year, one after the other, and until Mr. Church met with YOU, no
+one could be found to take the place, which has been vacant
+several weeks."
+
+This was interesting intelligence, but I continued my inquiries.
+"If the estate is so unhealthy as you represent, why are YOU
+willing to remain here?"
+
+"O, my stay here will be only a few days, or weeks, at most.
+Besides, I am well seasoned, having resided ten years in the
+island; and I make it a rule to keep my system well fortified
+against fever by the liberal use of generous liquors; and if you
+hope to LIVE here, you will do well to follow my example."
+
+"Mr. Bohun told me that the upper Pearl estate was one of the
+healthiest on the island.  How could he have been so grossly
+deceived?"
+
+"Deceived?  Not he; all humbug."
+
+"But he surely does not know the estate is so unhealthy?"
+
+"Not know it?  Bohun not know it?  Certainly he does.  Every body
+knows it.  Every estate has its reputation, and the reputation of
+the Pearl estates, both of them, is NOTORIOUSLY BAD.  No man,
+unless his courage or his fortune is desperate, will take a
+situation on either of these plantations."
+
+I was astonished, dumbfounded at this intelligence, which
+effectually silenced further inquiries.  After a short pause,
+Murray proceeded: "The fact is, Mr. Church told me all about the
+matter yesterday afternoon.  Bohun found it difficult to procure
+you such a situation as you wanted, and was anxious to get you off
+his hands.  Meeting Mr. Church in town, he asked him to take you.
+Mr. Church objected, telling him it would be a pity to place you
+on the Pearl plantation, where you might drop off in less than six
+weeks.  But Bohun urged the matter; requested it as a personal
+favor; and they being countrymen, you know   and so   and so   you
+see your business was done, and here you are."
+
+I undoubtedly looked grave at the interesting information thus
+frankly given; and Murray, remarking it, continued, in a
+consolatory tone: "Never mind, my good fellow; keep up your
+spirits.  I thought it best to tell you the worst at once, and let
+you know what you have to expect.  You will have to go through a
+regular seasoning; and if you can stand that on the Pearl estate,
+you may take your degree of M.D. as Doctor of Malaria, and bid
+defiance to yellow fever forever after!"
+
+I was not ambitious of such a distinction, and would gladly have
+declined it, were it possible; but, on calmly surveying my
+position, there appeared no alternative.  Relying on the
+correctness of Bohun's suggestions and the disinterestedness of
+his counsels, I had taken a step which could not, for a time at
+least, be retraced.  I therefore determined to go forward and make
+the best of it; look on the bright side of my situation, if it had
+any bright side, faithfully perform the duties of my office, and
+trust to my constitution and regular habits, in spite of the
+counsels of Murray, for the rest.
+
+I felt hurt at the conduct of Bohun, which from Murray's version
+was not such as I was prepared to expect, notwithstanding my
+experience in the dark side of human nature.  I still hoped that
+Murray's statements might be exaggerated, and that Bohun was
+actuated in his conduct towards me by feelings of grateful
+kindness.
+
+On the following day Mr. Church visited the estate.  He was a
+middle-aged man, had held a captain's commission in one of those
+British West India regiments which, after having been reduced to
+mere skeletons by battles with the French and yellow fever, were
+unjustly and inhumanly disbanded, at a long distance from "home,"
+leaving the brave men, who were thus rewarded for their services,
+to return to their native country as they could, or struggle for a
+precarious existence in a tropical climate.
+
+Mr. Church chose to remain in the island and engage in the
+planting business.  Possessing energy of character and rectitude
+of principle, and having influential connections, he became in a
+few years the attorney for the Pearl estates, married the daughter
+of a Scotch planter, and resided very pleasantly and happily at a
+beautiful seat called Bel-Air, situated a few miles from the Upper
+Pearl.  He entered into conversation with me, instructed me in my
+duties, regretted the absence of the manager, which might
+unpleasantly affect my comforts, and gave me some precautionary
+hints in relation to my health.  I felt somewhat reassured by my
+conversation with that gentleman, and erroneously believing it
+would be in my power to leave the island if I should think proper,
+at no distant period, indulged in no unavailing regrets, but
+philosophically resolved to make myself as comfortable as
+circumstances would allow.
+
+The treatment I met with among the planters, during my whole
+residence in the island, was that of unvarying kindness; many of
+them were well educated and cultivated a literary taste; had well-
+furnished libraries, which were not kept for show; and the history
+and writings of Ramsay, Ferguson, Burns, Beattie, Robertson,
+Blair, and other distinguished Scottish authors, were as familiar
+with some of the planters in Grenada "as household words."  The
+early novels of the "Wizard of the North" were then exciting much
+interest, which was shared by the inhabitants of the English West
+India Islands.
+
+The mildness of the climate seemed to have a tendency to melt away
+that frigidity which is a characteristic of people of the north,
+and the residents of the island were as frank, free, and
+hospitable as if they had never been out of the tropics.  I soon
+formed many pleasant acquaintances and acquired many friends.  And
+this, with the aid of books in abundance, enabled me to pass my
+leisure hours agreeably.  Notwithstanding the heat of the climate,
+and the prevalence of the erroneous idea that violent physical
+exercise in the tropics is injurious to the health of strangers, I
+indulged often in recreations of a kind which excited the surprise
+and called forth the remonstrances of my friends.
+
+From my earliest recollection, I was a devoted disciple of good
+old Izaak Walton, and the rivers on the north side of the island,
+rushing down from the mountains, with deep pools, and rocky
+channels, and whirling eddies, being well stocked with finny
+inhabitants, furnished me with fine opportunities to indulge in
+the exciting sport of angling.  My efforts were chiefly confined
+to the capture of the "mullet," a fish resembling the brook trout
+in New England in size and habits, although not in appearance.  It
+is taken with the artificial fly or live grasshopper for bait; and
+to capture it, as much skill, perseverance, and athletic motion is
+required as to capture trout in the mountain gorges of New
+Hampshire.
+
+I also occasionally indulged my taste for rambling in the
+mountains.  In these excursions, which, although exceedingly
+interesting, were solitary,   for I never could persuade anyone to
+accompany me,   I always took a gun, making the ostensible object
+of my rambles the shooting of RAMEES   birds of the pigeon
+species, of beautiful plumage, nearly as large as a barnyard fowl,
+and of delicate flavor.  These birds inhabited the deepest
+recesses of the woods, and, although seldom molested, were
+exceedingly shy.
+
+Few animals are found in the forests and mountains of Grenada.
+The agouti, the armadillo, and the opossum, are sometimes, though
+rarely, seen.  The only quadruped I ever met with in my rambles
+was an opossum, which I shot as it was climbing a tree.  Of
+reptiles there are none in the mountains.  There are several kinds
+of snakes in the island, some of which have never been described
+by naturalists.  The species which is most common is a black snake
+(constrictor) of large size, being frequently eight or ten feet in
+length, and three or four inches in diameter.  These snakes are
+treated not only with forbearance but kindness by the planters,
+and in return render important service on the sugar plantations,
+being most persevering and successful RAT CATCHERS; rats are
+abundant, and exceedingly destructive to the sugar cane, on which
+they subsist during a considerable portion of the year.  None of
+the serpents in Grenada are poisonous, but in some of the islands,
+particularly St. Lucia, there exists a snake which resembles the
+rattlesnake in the ferocity of its attacks and the deadly venom of
+its bite.  Having no rattles, no warning of danger is given to the
+unwary traveller until the snake darts from its ambush and
+inflicts a fatal wound; hence the name given to this dangerous
+reptile is the LANCE DE FER.
+
+In penetrating those mountain gorges, and climbing those mountain
+ridges, steep and thickly covered with forest trees and vines of
+many kinds, and of luxuriant growth, I sometimes passed hours
+without meeting any sign of life, except the flitting and hum of
+the humming-bird, and the loud and musical coo of the ramee.  That
+mountain wilderness seemed the chosen home of the humming-bird.  I
+there met with many varieties, some of which were exceedingly
+beautiful.  My appearance in those forests caused them much
+surprise, and to gratify their curiosity they sometimes flew
+towards me, and hovered within a few feet of my face, as if eager
+to examine my appearance and learn what object led me to intrude
+on their mountain haunts.
+
+There were, however, other and less interesting inhabitants in
+that region, as I one day discovered to my great consternation.  I
+was passing up the bed of a small stream, where the water, by
+attrition during many ages, had worn a chasm or "flume" through
+the solid basaltic rock, the walls of which rose at least a
+hundred feet nearly perpendicularly, when I found an obstacle to
+my further progress in the shape of some large rocks, which had
+fallen from above and blocked the passage.  I was unable to scale
+the CHEVAUX-DE-FRISE; but the whole body of water poured through
+an aperture three or four feet above the bed of the stream; and
+although it looked dark and dreary within, instead of retracing my
+steps to find another route through the woods to the spot I wished
+to reach, I determined to force my way into the gloomy cavern,
+with the expectation of being able to emerge on the opposite side.
+
+I listened for a moment at the mouth of the aperture, but heard
+only the murmuring of the stream as it swept along through the
+uneven channel.  I then thrust in my head, when I heard a rushing
+noise as of the flapping of a thousand wings, and the next moment
+I was sprawling on my back in the water, having been summarily
+capsized, partly by force and partly by an involuntary start of
+terror!
+
+I raised my head and beheld a legion of BATS, some of them of
+uncommon size, issuing in a stream from the mouth of the cave.
+These animals in the tropics are numerous, and seclude themselves
+from the light of day in caverns or other dark and lonely
+recesses, where they attach themselves to the roof, and clinging
+to each other are suspended in large pyramidal clusters or
+festoons.  When disturbed, they take wing, and hastily quit their
+abodes.  By unthinkingly intruding on their territories, which had
+probably never before been invaded, great alarm was excited among
+the inmates; a terrible confusion ensued, and the general rush to
+the aperture caused my unceremonious overthrow.
+
+In one of my mountain excursions, I lost my way while enveloped in
+a dense mist, and, after descending a steep ridge, came upon a
+platform or terrace of several acres' extent, which at first view
+seemed to have been formed by artificial means on the mountain
+side.  This plain was level, and thickly covered with coarse
+grass, which, finding a genial soil and region, grew to a height
+of five or six feet.  Near the centre of the prairie stood the
+only tree which flourished on this fertile spot.  It was a silk
+cotton tree.  I made my way through the grass with difficulty to
+the tree, which by measurement I found to be twenty-five feet in
+circumference   larger than any other tree I ever saw in the
+island.  Immense branches shot out horizontally about twenty feet
+from the ground, extending to a distance in every direction from
+the trunk sixty or eighty feet.  Indeed, the gigantic size of the
+tree, its rich and luxuriant foliage, and its noble and majestic
+appearance, were in perfect keeping with the place.  I tarried
+some time beneath its branches, and gazed with interest on the
+picturesque scene, regretting that I had no companion to share my
+admiration, and thinking that as doubtless no human being, unless
+some wild Carib in days of yore, had ever previously visited that
+singular spot, so it was likely centuries would pass away before
+any other individual would chance to behold and admire that
+beautiful terrace on the mountain side.  I then plunged among the
+trees and vines growing upon the steep declivity on the further
+side, and, after a precipitous retreat of two or three hundred
+feet, heard the murmuring of a stream below, by following which I
+at length reached a cultivated district.
+
+The clouds on those mountain tops often collect with extraordinary
+quickness, and, while the sun is shining brightly on the
+cultivated lands, pour down the rain in deluging showers, which,
+rushing in cataracts through the gorges, swell the rivers
+unexpectedly, sometimes causing fatal disasters by sweeping away
+horsemen or teams when fording the streams.  The rise of a river
+from this cause is sometimes alarmingly sudden; the water comes
+down in solid phalanx, six or eight feet in perpendicular height,
+and extends from bank to bank; and with irresistible force sweeps
+down rocks and trees, shaking the earth on the banks, and making a
+loud and rumbling noise like distant thunder.
+
+The vicinity of Grenada to the continent causes this island, as
+well as Tobago and Trinidad, to be exempt from the hurricanes
+which have proved a terrible scourge in several of the Windward
+Islands, and from time to time have been terribly destructive to
+life and property.  In Barbadoes, on the 10th of October, 1780,
+nearly all the plantations were ruined by a hurricane of
+inconceivable fury, and between four and five thousand persons
+lost their lives.  Grenada has only once been visited by a
+hurricane since its first settlement by a French colony from
+Martinico, in 1650.  But this hurricane was the means of removing
+a far greater evil, the circumstances attending which were of an
+extraordinary nature, and which I shall relate as I learned them
+from the lips of many who were witnesses of their occurrence.
+
+It was about the commencement of the present century that this
+island suffered much from a visitation, which threatened to bring
+famine and desolation, and destroy, not only the present, but the
+future hopes of the planter.  There suddenly appeared,
+simultaneously in different parts of the island, a great number of
+BLACK ANTS, of large size, being fully an inch in length, and of a
+kind until then unknown in Grenada.  They probably belonged to the
+species known as "the large black ant of Africa," remarkable for
+its boldness and voracity.  Although the inhabitants of that
+fruitful island were wont to treat strangers with hospitality,
+they were inclined to depart from their usual habit so far as
+related to these new and strange visitants, who seemed inclined to
+be more troublesome than was consistent with the welfare of the
+old residents.
+
+In the course of a couple of years the number of these invaders
+increased to an incredible amount; they attacked the fruit on the
+trees and the vegetables in the gardens; and the fields of sugar
+cane, once so green and flourishing, soon looked as if a fire from
+heaven, the scourge of an offended deity, had passed over them.
+Not only the fields, but the trees, the roads, and the dwelling
+houses, were covered with these ants; and when all sustenance was
+destroyed in one quarter, they took up their line of march in
+immense armies and proceeded elsewhere in search of food.  In
+these migratory excursions, if they came to a brook or small
+river, their progress was not stayed.  Those in front were
+impelled into the stream by the pressure from behind; and,
+although myriads were swept away and drowned in the rushing
+waters, many were borne to the other side and continued their
+journey.  In some cases, where the current was not strong, a sort
+of living bridge was formed, over which immense numbers of these
+pestiferous insects passed in safety and dry shod.  Nothing seemed
+to check their progress or reduce their numbers.
+
+The inhabitants, both white and black, as may be conceived, were
+in great consternation, and were about to make preparations to
+move to some more favored soil, when a furious hurricane was
+experienced.  The destruction of property was great; dwelling
+houses and sugar works were destroyed, and lives were lost.  The
+inhabitants who survived the tempest were in despair, believing
+their calamities would never cease.  But they soon found, to their
+great joy, that this hurricane was a blessing, rather than a
+curse.  THE BLACK ANTS WERE EXTERMINATED, and none have since been
+seen in the island.
+
+
+Chapter XXIX
+INSURRECTION IN GRENADA
+
+I have already stated that the French established their first
+settlement in the island of Grenada in 1650.  They found the
+island inhabited by the Carib Indians, who, regarding the white
+men as beings superior in goodness as well as intellect, gave them
+a cordial welcome, and treated them with kindness and hospitality.
+The French, well pleased with their reception, gave the cacique a
+few hatchets, knives, and beads, and a barrel of brandy, and very
+coolly took possession of the island they had thus purchased.
+Their conduct in this respect reminds one of the language of the
+ill-treated Caliban to the proud Prospero:
+
+"This island's mine,
+Which thou tak'st from me.  When thou camest first,
+Thou strok'dst and made much of me; wouldst give me
+Water with berries in't; and teach me how
+To name the bigger light, and how the less,
+That burn by day and night; and then I loved thee,
+And showed thee all the qualities of the isle
+The fresh springs, brine pits, barren place and fertile;
+Cursed be I that did so."
+
+The remonstrances of the Caribs against the wrongs they were
+doomed to suffer were as little heeded by the colonists as the
+complaints of Caliban by Prospero.  The French were resolute,
+powerful, and rapacious, and treated the red men with inhumanity.
+The Indians, unable to contend with their oppressors by open
+force, fled to their mountain fastnesses, and commenced an
+obstinate predatory warfare upon the whites, murdering without
+discrimination all whom they found defenceless.  This led to a
+bloody and protracted struggle for the mastery; and a
+reenforcement of troops having been sent from France to aid the
+infant colony, it was decided, after mature deliberation, that the
+most expeditious and effectual mode of ending the war, and
+establishing peace on a permanent basis, was TO EXTERMINATE THE
+CARIBS.
+
+These original "lords of the soil" were accordingly driven from
+their fastnesses, hunted by parties of soldiers, shot down like
+wild beasts wherever found, until their number was reduced from
+thousands to about one hundred.  Bing cut off from the mountains
+by a military force, this remnant of a powerful band fled to a
+promontory on the north part of the island which overlooked the
+ocean, and, hard pressed by their civilized foes, more than half
+their number leaped over the rocky precipice into the sea which
+dashed against its base.  The others were massacred.
+
+This promontory has ever since been known as "Morne des Sauteurs,"
+or the "Hill of the Leapers."  I have stood upon the extreme point
+of this promontory, where I could look down some eighty or a
+hundred feet into the raging abyss beneath, and listened to the
+mournful tradition as detailed by one of the oldest inhabitants of
+the island.  This is only ONE of the vast catalogue of cruelties
+and wrongs that have been inflicted on the Indians by the whites
+in constant succession, from the first settlement of the New World
+to the present time.
+
+The French, who were long in possession of the island of Grenada,
+established on the plantations French customs, the French
+language, and the Roman Catholic religion.   When the island fell
+into the hands of the English, although no organized plan was
+adopted to interfere with the customs of the slaves, or change
+their language, the English failed in acquiring the attachment of
+the negroes, who lamented the absence of their French masters, and
+sighed for their return.
+
+Early in the year 1795, during the French revolution, a plan was
+conceived by some white men and five mulattoes, in Guadaloupe, who
+were aware of the existence of this discontented feeling, to
+create an insurrection among the slaves in Grenada, and take
+possession of the island.  Emissaries were sent among the
+plantations, who conferred with the principal negroes, and
+secretly made arrangements for the work they contemplated.  In the
+month of August, two or three sloops, each containing thirty or
+forty men, with a supply of arms and ammunition, arrived in the
+harbor of La Baye, on the eastern side of the island.  The
+expedition was commanded by an active and intelligent mulatto
+named Fedon, and landed in the night, captured the small fort
+which overlooked the harbor, took possession of the town, murdered
+a number of the white inhabitants, and plundered the houses and
+stores.  Runners were employed to convey the news to the different
+plantations, and the insurrection of the slaves was complete.
+
+Some of the white men of the plantations received secret
+intelligence of the rising among the blacks, and lost no time in
+fleeing to a place of safety; others remained unconscious of the
+approach of danger, and were murdered.  Deeds of cruelty were
+perpetrated on this occasion by the negroes, a relation of which
+would chill the stoutest heart.
+
+It unfortunately happened that when this insurrection broke out,
+the acting governor with several members of the council, and some
+merchants and planters of great respectability, were on a visit to
+the eastern part of the island.  As soon as they heard of the
+attack on La Baye, and the progress of the insurrection, they left
+the quarters where they had been hospitably entertained, and,
+accompanied by their host and some other gentlemen, proceeded to
+the sea shore, and embarked in a sloop, with the intention of
+proceeding to St. George, which was the seat of government, and
+was strongly fortified and garrisoned.
+
+As the sloop was passing the little village of Guayave, some
+negroes appeared on the shore, bearing a flag of truce, and
+indicated by expressive gestures a wish to hold a conference with
+the governor.  This functionary, not aware of the dreadful
+atrocities that had been committed, and hoping that some means
+might be agreed upon to heal the disturbances, imprudently ordered
+the vessel to be anchored in the roadstead, and himself and a
+number of the most influential of his friends went ashore in a
+boat, and were landed on the beach.  A party of armed blacks, who
+until that moment had been concealed, immediately surrounded them,
+pinioned them, and marched them away.  The boat was seized by the
+negroes, and a party pushed off for the purpose of boarding the
+sloop, and securing the remainder of the white men; but they,
+having witnessed the capture of the governor and his companions,
+suspected the object of this maneuver, cut the cable, and with a
+fine breeze, distanced the boat which had started in pursuit, and
+proceeded to St. George with the mournful news.
+
+The rebel chief, Fedon, collected around him, as it were by a
+single tap of the drum, an army of some thousands of blacks, and
+distributed among them a considerable number of fire-arms.  Others
+were armed with weapons hastily prepared; and the great body of
+the insurgents, being desperate men, stimulated by the hope of
+freedom and the desire of vengeance, with leaders of ability and
+some military skill, the insurrection assumed a formidable
+appearance.
+
+Fedon took possession of Mount Quaqua, a high, steep, and somewhat
+bald mountain in the interior, and there encamped with his army.
+The base of the mountain was cultivated, and furnished excellent
+pasturage for the many cattle which were driven thither from the
+various plantations to furnish subsistence for his army.  This
+place he fortified, determined to make it his stronghold in case
+of adversity; and he went vigorously to work in organizing and
+disciplining his army with a view to make an attack on St. George
+before the government could receive reenforcements, and thus get
+possession of the whole island.
+
+The governor and his friends, and other prisoners, principally
+planters, having been strictly confined for several days, and
+treated with many indignities, were conveyed under a guard to the
+camp of the rebel chieftain.  Fedon caused them to be brought
+before him, and after exulting over their capture, and heaping
+upon them insults and abuse, ORDERED THEM TO BE SHOT.  This
+sentence was executed on the following day.  Only one of the
+number escaped to tall the sad tale.  This was Mr. Bruce, a
+merchant residing at St. George, who had acted as attorney for the
+Pearl plantations.  When led out with others to be executed, a
+negro whispered in his ear, "Massa, my capen tells me, shoot you!
+But I no shoot you!  Only make b'live.  You stand up straight
+when I fire, you fall to ground, and scream, and twist, all same
+as if you be dead!"
+
+The deception was successful.  The negro, whose name was Quamina,
+and belonged to the Lower Pearl estate, was stationed opposite to
+Bruce.  The word was given.  Bruce fell with the rest, and
+imitated to admiration the agonies of a dying man; and Quamina, at
+the risk of his life, succeeded in saving that of the white man.
+That night, he contrived to get him outside the lines, conducted
+him on the road leading to St. George, and left him.  Mr. Bruce,
+after much fatigue and several hair-breadth escapes, reached the
+town, being the only one among the prisoners carried to the camp
+who escaped from the clutches of the monster.
+
+I may as well state here, that after the insurrection was quelled,
+Mr. Bruce manifested towards his preserver a grateful spirit.  He
+wished to give him his freedom, but Quamina, who was a negro of
+consequence on the estate, refused to accept it.  Quamina was
+elevated to the situation of head-boiler; and Mr. Bruce every year
+made him a visit, gave him a sum of money, clothing, and valuable
+presents for himself and wife.
+
+The military forces in the island were not more than were needed
+to occupy the forts and defences of St. George, where the white
+population had fled, with the little property they could take with
+them on the breaking out of the rebellion.  Parties of insurgents,
+commanded by chiefs appointed by Fedon, who exercised absolute
+power, had the range of the rest of the island.  The rebels made a
+desperate attempt to capture St. George, but were repulsed with
+great loss.
+
+Affairs remained in this condition for nearly a year, before any
+efficient measures were adopted by the British authorities to
+regain possession.  At length General Abercrombie, with a large
+military power, landed, and, joined by the regular forces in St.
+George, and some companies of militia, succeeded in driving the
+insurgents from the sea coast to the mountains.  He then invested
+Mount Quaqua, cut off all supplies from the army of Fedon, and
+compelled him to fight, surrender, or starve.  The insurgent
+chief, with some of the leaders of the insurrection, and a portion
+of the rebels, attempted to cut their way through the English
+army, and some of them succeeded, among whom was Fedon.  He
+proceeded to the sea coast, embarked in an open boat with a few
+companions, and was probably drowned, as he was never heard of
+afterwards.
+
+The plantation negroes, generally, returned to the estates to
+which they had been attached, and, with a few exceptions, were
+forgiven, and work on the plantations was resumed.  A number of
+the colored persons, slaves and freemen, who were chieftains under
+Fedon, or had signalized themselves by extraordinary acts of
+cruelty, were arrested and hanged.
+
+One of the most efficient officers among the rebels was named Jack
+Shadow.  He was a free mulatto, a shrewd, intelligent creole, and
+previous to the insurrection, had resided in the town of Guayave,
+and exercised the trade of carpenter.  With the assistance of his
+wife, a mulatto, he also cultivated a garden, and contrived to
+gain a comfortable living.  When the insurrection, instigated by
+the French revolutionists, broke out in the eastern part of the
+island, Jack hastened to join the insurgents, and was cordially
+received by Fedon, who intrusted him with an important mission,
+which he executed with such adroitness as to gain the confidence
+of the chief, who appointed him to a high command in the army.
+Jack was one of Fedon's most efficient officers, and signalized
+himself by his bitter hatred to the whites, and the zeal with
+which he abetted his chief in the horrid scenes of cruelty that
+were enacted.
+
+When the insurrection was quelled, Jack Shadow, although wounded,
+made his escape, with some others of the most obnoxious rebels, to
+the woods and mountains in the interior of the island.  They
+endeavored to conceal themselves from the pursuit of the whites,
+but in the course of one or two years were all, with the exception
+of Jack, ferreted out and shot when apprehended, or taken to jail,
+tried, and hanged.
+
+Jack, however, remained in the mountains.  A large reward was
+offered for him, dead or alive; and parties of armed men often
+scoured the woods, hoping to find his lair and shoot or capture
+the rebel chief.  But though it was known he was hid in a certain
+part of the island, he eluded all endeavors to arrest him for ten
+or twelve years, and might perhaps have died of old age, had he
+not been betrayed by his wife.
+
+It was subsequently ascertained that Jack had erected a hut by the
+side of a ledge of rocks, which was almost inaccessible to a
+stranger; and this hut, being surrounded with bushes and
+undergrowth, and covered with vines, could not be recognized as a
+habitation by any one unacquainted with the fact.  His wife,
+Marie, remained in her humble cottage in Guayave, and, it appeared
+still cherished affection for her husband.  He was visited in the
+wilderness by Marie at certain times, and supplied with
+necessaries and whatever she thought might conduce to his comfort
+in that wretched abode.  At his urgent request, she also furnished
+him, occasionally, with a JUG OF RUM, with which to cheer his
+spirits and solace his solitude.  He gradually acquired an
+insatiable fondness for spirituous drinks, and insisted on being
+supplied, even to the exclusion of articles vastly more suitable
+to his condition.
+
+The consequence of the indulgence of this habit was soon
+exhibited.  He became gloomy, sullen, and ferocious.  He no longer
+treated his wife, to whom he was so much indebted, and the only
+being with whom he associated, with his wonted kindness and
+affection, but, when maddened with liquor, often abused her.
+Marie bore this for a long time with patience.  She still sought
+his hiding-place at times, and bore him the poisonous beverage,
+probably unconscious that she was thus indirectly the cause of the
+changed conduct in her husband.  He continued his ill treatment,
+especially when under the influence of liquor, and after a time
+the affection of Marie for her husband was extinguished.  She
+began to regard him as the fierce outlaw and murderer, who
+cherished no gentle affections, but took pleasure in abusing the
+woman who held his life in her hands, and had labored hard and
+risked much to screen him from capture and cheer him in his
+concealment.  Her visits became more seldom, and the ill temper of
+her husband increased.
+
+One night, Marie pursued her devious way to the mountains to
+furnish Jack with the accustomed supplies.  He snatched form her
+hand the liquor, and took a deep draught.  The poison did its
+work.  He became excited, and quarreled with his wife; and, roused
+to fury by her reproaches, struck her with his hand, seized her by
+the shoulder and thrust her from the hut, tumbling her over the
+ledge.  Marie rose, groaning with pain, being severely bruised.
+The cup of her indignation, which had long been full, was now
+overflowing.  She slowly returned to her home in Guayave, brooding
+over schemes of revenge, and formed the determination to betray
+her husband into the hands of justice.  She called upon Dr.
+Duncan, a rich planter and a magistrate, and offered to guide him
+to the spot where Jack Shadow, the daring rebel, was concealed.
+
+Within a couple of hours after the magistrate received the welcome
+information, he was on his way to the mountains, accompanied by
+Marie and a guard of soldiers.  They entered the thicket on the
+side of the mountain, where Jack Shadow had taken up his abode.
+They came to a precipitous ledge of rocks.  "Move gently, now,"
+said Marie, in a low voice; "we are close upon his hut."
+
+The soldiers could see nothing resembling a hut.  With their
+muskets loaded, and bayonets fixed, they with difficulty made
+their way through steep, rugged, and crooked passes, and, after a
+toilsome march, stood by the side of Jack's habitation.
+
+The sergeant was now quietly arranging his men in such a manner as
+to insure the captivity or death of the outlaw, when one of the
+soldiers stumbled, and his musket struck the ground with a ringing
+noise.  Jack, who had just awakened from his drunken nap, heard
+the ominous sound.  He had no weapons, but relied on the security
+of his retreat and his activity and strength.  He cautiously
+opened the door, in front of which stood a soldier with his musket
+pointed towards him.  The sergeant cried, "Surrender, or you are a
+dead man!"
+
+Jack made one last desperate struggle for life.  He sprang down
+the ledge, turned aside with one hand the bayonet which was thrust
+at his bosom, and felled the soldier with the other; but ere he
+could clear the guard, his shoulder was transfixed by another
+bayonet, which disabled him, and in a few minutes he was stretched
+at the feet of the soldiers, a wounded, pinioned captive.  Before
+the sun had set that afternoon he was securely lodged in the
+prison at Guayave, heavily ironed, and the prison was guarded by a
+detachment of soldiers.
+
+The trial of Jack Shadow soon came on before a bench of
+magistrates.  His identity was proved; also the conspicuous part
+he had taken in the insurrection, and the bloody acts which he had
+committed.  The outlaw was condemned to death.  His deportment was
+sullen and dogged to the last.  He refused to see his wife, who,
+when too late, regretted the steps which, prompted by anger and a
+short-lived desire for revenge, she had taken for his arrest.  He
+was hanged on a gallows, about a quarter of a mile outside the
+village of Guayave.
+
+
+Chapter XXX
+WEST INDIA LIFE
+
+I remained on the Upper Pearl estate, and found much to interest
+an inquiring mind.  Murray, although there were some good points
+about him, was not considered trustworthy.  In his cups he was
+quarrelsome and as choleric as a Welshman; and a fondness for
+liquor was his besetting sin.  He was an excellent accountant and
+an efficient clerk, but could hardly be relied on when a clear
+head and cool judgment were required.
+
+A short time before I became acquainted with Murray, he had
+quarreled at a dinner party with a Mr. Reed, the manager of a
+coffee plantation.  The lie was exchanged, a blow was struck; a
+challenge was given and accepted on the spot.  The next morning
+the parties met, with their seconds, firmly bent upon shooting
+each other.  There was no flinching on the part of the principals;
+no desire evinced to give or receive an apology.  The seconds,
+however, were made of milder stuff; and neither of them being
+Irishmen, thought they would be justified in rendering the duel a
+bloodless one, and transforming a grave matter into a harmless
+joke.  They accordingly loaded the pistols with powder only,
+keeping the bullets in their pockets; probably taking the hint
+from the well-blazoned proceedings in the duel fought at Chalk
+farm, a few years before, between Jeffries and Moore,
+
+"When Little's leadless pistol met the eye,
+While Bow Street myrmidons stood laughing by."
+
+The word was given, and both parties fired.  No harm was done; but
+apologies were out of the question, and "another shot" was loudly
+and peremptorily called for, and the distance, eight paces was
+shortened to six.  The farce was again repeated, when Murray,
+wondering at the bloodless result, espied a smile on the features
+of his second, which did not seem in keeping with the gravity of
+the occasion.  His suspicions were aroused; and the seconds, on
+being charged with duplicity, acknowledged the fact, adding that
+it would be worse than folly to shoot each other, and suggesting
+that they should shake hands, take a good breakfast together, and,
+in a Christian spirit, banish all enmity from their hearts.
+
+This advice, so wise in itself, was not taken in good part by
+either of the principals.  They were indignant at having been
+imposed upon, and made a laughing-stock to the community.  Murray
+could not control his temper, but threw his pistol at the head of
+his second, cutting him badly in the face, and knocking him over;
+he chased the second of his antagonist off the field, and then
+offered his hand to the man whom he had twice attempted to shoot,
+which in a kind spirit was heartily grasped; and the two
+principals in the duel, who, five minutes before, eagerly thirsted
+for each other's blood, rode off together sworn friends and
+brothers, and were afterwards as great cronies as the Irish Bard
+and the Scotch reviewer.
+
+Mr. Orr, the manager of the Upper Pearl, who left the estate,
+bowed down by disease, on the evening of my arrival, had a narrow
+escape from death.  When he recovered, after a severe illness of
+several weeks, he refused to resume his situation, declaring he
+had got enough of the Pearls to last him his lifetime.
+
+Mr. Church rode over from his residence every morning, and gave
+instructions, which I carried out to the best of my ability.  The
+reputation of the Pearl estates for fevers was such, it was
+difficult to find a respectable person who would take the station
+of manager, or, if he accepted the situation, relying on the
+strength of his constitution, he was not wont to occupy it long.
+One of that description was engaged after Orr's resignation was
+received, but he was driven off in a few weeks by an attack of
+fever and ague, which nearly shook him to atoms.  Another, of more
+doubtful character, was subsequently engaged, but he was found by
+the attorney tipsy before eleven o'clock in the forenoon.  Had it
+been in the afternoon, it might have been excused; but to get
+drunk in the morning was an unpardonable offence.  In vain he
+pleaded that he had taken only a few drops to neutralize the
+effects of the malaria; he was discharged.
+
+After a few months' residence on this plantation, breathing by
+night and by day the foul and noxious miasma from the swamps, and
+just as I began to flatter myself that my constitution would
+weather the storm, I experienced an attack of headache, chills,
+and fever.  By dint of resolution and nerve, which will accomplish
+much, I succeeded in throwing it off, being determined not to
+succumb through imagination or fear.  A few days afterwards the
+attack was renewed with greater violence, and I was compelled to
+admit its reality, and acknowledge the supremacy of remittent
+fever.  Mr. Church manifested much interest in my behalf.  He
+caused a skillful physician to attend me, and promptly provided me
+with every thing the occasion required, excepting a salubrious
+atmosphere; and on being told that this was indispensable to my
+recovery, he generously caused me to be transported on a litter to
+"Bel-Air," the beautiful and healthy villa in which he resided.
+Here I was provided with a comfortable apartment, and received the
+kindest attention from Mrs. Church.  After a severe struggle the
+fever left me in a weak and emaciated condition, and weeks elapsed
+before I was permitted to resume my duties of the estate.
+
+My wardrobe, although it had been replenished by Bohun, in a style
+which I thought unnecessarily liberal was still far from
+approaching what, by persons of simple tastes, would be called
+genteel.  As I was now liable to be thrown into the company of the
+WELL-DRESSED visitors to Bel-Air, it was thought by Mr. Church
+perhaps at the suggestion of his wife   that some improvement in
+my external appearance might be desirable.  Accordingly, one day,
+on returning from a journey to St. George, he brought me, greatly
+to my astonishment, a dress coat, of bottle-green hue, much too
+large, which he had purchased ready-made; a pair of stockinet
+pantaloons, too tight for even my slim shanks, and a flashy-
+looking vest, which, for aught I know, may have been made of the
+stuff called "thunder and lightning;" so that, when rigged out in
+my genteel habiliments, I must have looked not unlike Moses, in
+the "Vicar of Wakefield," going to the fair, but far more
+ridiculous!
+
+I cared less about the effect I might produce in my unaccustomed
+finery than the expense of such luxuries, which I knew I could not
+afford, and which would inevitably subject me to much
+inconvenience.  My salary, I found on inquiry, was a nominal one,
+  barely sufficient to furnish me with ordinary comforts.  I had
+already incurred a serious debt in the purchase of a saddle and
+bridle and other articles which I could not dispense with; and
+although I fully believed Mr. Thomas would never call upon me to
+refund his disbursements on my account in St. George, I knew human
+nature too well to suppose that Mr. Church would not deduct from
+my salary the price of those genteel articles of dress, which were
+of no more use to me than a marlinspike to a dandy.  Indeed, had I
+indulged in such unreasonable hopes, I should have been undeceived
+when a bill for sundries from a trader came to hand, of an amount
+far exceeding my expectations, with a polite request that I would
+transmit the money at the earliest convenience!
+
+There was no help; I had put my hand to the plough, and must go
+forward.  I thus found myself enchained to the island for at least
+twelve months.  Indeed, a longer period than that must elapse
+before I could expect, by the closest economy, to pay off the
+debts I had incurred.  I now, too late, regretted that I had
+listened to the representations of Bohun, and allowed him to
+manifest his GRATITUDE for my services, the consequences of which
+served to embarrass me, and place me in a position which I did not
+covet; for which I was not calculated by habit or inclination, but
+from which I could see no means of escaping.
+
+I returned to the Pearl estate and resumed my avocations.  Months
+passed away; and although an occasional chill, followed by fever,
+reminded me that I was continually breathing an unhealthy
+atmosphere, I felt a sanguine hope that I should not again be
+affected by diseases incident to the climate, and that I had
+already qualified myself for the honorary degree which was
+referred to by my friend Murray.  My hopes were fallacious.  I was
+again attacked by a remittent fever of an obstinate character.  I
+was again conveyed to Bel-Air.  The doctor was again summoned, and
+he had a difficult task in restoring me to health.  But he
+protested against my return to the Pearl estate, declaring that
+another attack would place me beyond the reach of medical
+assistance.
+
+It chanced that Mr. Coxall, a rich merchant of St. George, who had
+a lumber yard and depot of stores in Greenville, was in want of a
+clerk to look after his affairs in that place, and in consequence
+of Mr. Church's recommendation he gave me the situation.  My
+duties were pleasant; and I often visited the plantations in the
+neighborhood, where I acquired a number of friends.  My
+emoluments, however, were inconsiderable; I was in debt, and the
+amount of my pecuniary obligations was not lessened by the
+repeated visits of a popular physician during my sickness.
+
+During this time I had not heard a word from Mr. Thomas, or Bohun,
+his clerk.  I supposed they had forgotten me; but I did those
+gentlemen injustice.  I had hardly been a year in the island when
+I received a letter from Mr. Thomas, enclosing a bill in the
+handwriting of Bohun, of every article with which I had been
+furnished in St. George, not omitting my board at two dollars and
+a half a day, which Bohun so roundly swore should be reduced at
+least two thirds.  The sum total of the bill amounted to more than
+one hundred dollars,   an enormous sum in my then straitened
+circumstances; and the letter contained an intimation that, having
+been a year in the island, and in regular employment, it was
+expected that I was able and willing to settle the accompanying
+bill!
+
+Although I entertained faint hopes of being able at some future
+day to reimburse Mr. Thomas for his expenses on my account, I
+never expected that he would make out this bill, including even
+the most trifling item, or hold me responsible for the
+unpardonable blunder of Bohun in relation to my board, and subject
+me to the mortification of a dun.  It appeared, however, that he
+considered all obligations, on his part, discharged, when an
+unenviable situation was procured for me on a plantation, where
+the chances were nine out of ten that I should find my grave
+within three months!  I made a brief reply to this letter, in
+which I expressed my feelings without reserve; assured him he need
+not trouble himself further about his money; that if I lived he
+should receive the full amount, principal and interest, as soon as
+I could earn it.
+
+This unexpected demand on my resources troubled me greatly.  It
+had the effect to postpone, almost indefinitely, the time when I
+should leave Grenada, and return to the occupation I preferred,
+that of a mariner.  I could not quit the island honorably or
+openly without paying my debts; and I could not for a moment
+entertain the idea of sneaking out of it in a clandestine manner.
+I was the only citizen of the United States in the island, and I
+persuaded myself that the honor and reputation of my country were
+identified, to a certain extent, with my conduct while exercising
+a humble employment in that secluded portion of the globe.  It
+would be well if others, exercising duties of a more important
+nature, would recollect this fact; and when their consciences or
+sense of propriety are not sufficient to restrain them from
+unworthy acts, let them summon patriotism to their aid, and
+remember that the disgrace is not confined to themselves, but is
+shared by the land which gave them birth.  By acting on this
+principle, our country would be more honored abroad than it now
+is.
+
+After I left the Pearl estate I enjoyed excellent health, with the
+exception of an occasional attack of intermittent fever,   a
+malady which, although distressing and debilitating, is seldom
+regarded as alarming.  Those only, who were liberally dosed some
+forty years ago with the powder of Peruvian bark, the sovereign
+remedy for fever and ague, can duly estimate the value of the
+services rendered to suffering humanity by the discovery of a mode
+of administering it in a concentrated form, that of QUININE.
+
+Although some estates were regarded as healthy while others were
+notoriously the reverse, on no part of the island could persons be
+secure from those fatal diseases, most dreaded in a tropical
+climate, such as dysentery, and malignant or yellow fever.  It was
+really startling to notice the sudden deaths which sometimes took
+place even among those who considered themselves acclimated, and
+were habitually in the enjoyment of excellent health.  This may
+have been in part, owing to the irregular mode of living in a
+climate where the humanizing influence of female society was but
+little known.  Dinner parties among the planters were frequent,
+where the most tempting liquors were produced, and excesses on
+such occasions, when fun and frolic were rife, were considered not
+only excusable but laudable.
+
+I had been two years in the island, when I received an official
+notification that I was appointed one of the constables or civil
+officers of the district in which I resided, and was expected to
+qualify myself forthwith to perform my duties.  Being well known
+as a citizen of the United States, I was greatly surprised at this
+event; and believing that I could not legally discharge the duties
+of any office of trust, honor, or emolument, however humble, under
+the British government, I hastened off at once to Mr. Lumsden, an
+old, and highly respectable planter, who resided on his own
+estate, and had acted as a magistrate for many years.
+
+"Mr. Lumsden," said I, exhibiting the document, "I have been
+appointed a constable for this district."
+
+"Well, what of that?  The appointment is a good one.  I
+recommended you myself."
+
+"I am obliged to you for your good opinion," said I, "but you know
+very well that I am a citizen of the united States; have never
+taken the oath of allegiance to the British government, and never
+intend to; consequently I am not eligible."
+
+"Pooh, pooh!  Nonsense!  That makes not a farthing's difference.
+You will do well enough."
+
+"And more than that," I continued, "I am only nineteen years of
+age; that alone is sufficient to incapacitate me."
+
+"Young man," said the magistrate, with all the solemnity and
+wisdom of a Dogberry, "whether you are a Yankee or a Calmuck,
+whether your are sixty years old or sixteen, it matters not.  You
+have been appointed a constable for this district, AND A CONSTABLE
+YOU SHALL BE.  So no more frivolous excuses.  If you do not
+prepare yourself to act in that capacity when called upon I will
+cause you to be reported and fined."
+
+There was no more to be said; the argument relating to the fine
+was unanswerable; and I caused myself to be qualified forthwith.
+The duties were not arduous.  The only official duty required of
+me, during my term of office, was to summon a coroner's jury, on
+one occasion, to sit on the body of a runaway slave, who was
+stabbed by a watchman while committing depredations on some "negro
+gardens" in the night time.
+
+Mr. Coxall finally gave up his establishment in Greenville, and I
+was obliged to look elsewhere for employment.  A newspaper was
+published at St. George, owned and edited by an Englishman, who
+had been a non-commissioned officer in the regiment which was
+disbanded in the island a few years before.  I had then, even at
+that early age, some indefinite hankering after newspaper life,
+and having picked up a crude mass of knowledge, incongruous and
+undigested, perhaps, from the many books I had devoured, I
+flattered myself that I could render good service as assistant
+editor of the St. George Chronicle.
+I accordingly offered my services to the proprietor, but found him
+less liberal in his opinions than the worthy sons of Scotia with
+whom I had been intimately associating.  His prejudices against
+the Yankees were unconquerable.  He did not even reply to my
+letter, but stated to a friend of mine that he must be very hard
+pushed before he would take a YANKEE into his office to assist in
+printing and editing an English newspaper.
+
+I again turned my attention to the planting business.  A vacancy
+having occurred on the Hermitage estate, owing to the sudden
+death, by yellow fever, of a very promising young man from
+Aberdeen, who had been in the island only a few months,  I
+succeeded, through the kind exertions of Mr. Church, in obtaining
+the situation.
+
+The Hermitage was one of the finest plantations in Grenada.  It
+was pleasantly  situated on elevated ground, a few miles from the
+sea shore, and was the residence of Mr. Houston, a gentleman of
+great respectability, who was attorney for the estate, and also
+for the plantation adjoining, called Belmont.  Some years
+previously the Hermitage had been the residence of the owner of
+these estates, an Englishman named Bailey.  He had spared no
+expense in stocking the grounds with fruits of various kinds, had
+planted bread-fruit and bread-nut trees, which, besides proving
+ornamental, furnished nutritive food for the slaves.  Mr. Houston
+found, however, that the fruit orchards required more labor and
+care to keep them in good condition than could be profitably
+spared from other duties; and the beautiful and umbrageous bread-
+fruit and bread-nut trees shaded some portions of the fertile land
+capable of producing good sugar cane.  The axe was, therefore,
+freely used, and, one after another, nearly all the trees which
+produced this excellent fruit were cut down.  Other fruit trees,
+as the orange, the guava, pomegranate, avocado pear, golden apple,
+water lemon, soursop, etc. grow spontaneously on almost every
+plantation, and furnish an abundance and a variety of refreshing,
+nutritious food, at different seasons.  Plantains, peas, cassava,
+kalliloo, yams, and several other kinds of esculent vegetables,
+some of which bear a close resemblance to the potato in every
+thing excepting the form, are raised in abundance with very little
+labor.  The calabash tree is also found growing wild on every
+estate.  It resembles an apple tree of moderate dimensions, and
+bears calabashes of every size, from those which contain several
+gallons to those which hold only half a pint.  These calabashes
+are of great value on a plantation, being used as vessels for all
+purposes and occasions except for cooking.
+
+It is hardly necessary to say that my debt to Mr. Thomas was
+liquidated as soon as I could obtain the means, even by
+anticipating my salary; and I eagerly looked forward to the time
+when, by exercising the strictest economy, I should be able to
+quit a place where, notwithstanding many things which were
+unpleasant, I had found valuable friends and enjoyed many
+comforts, and had been treated by all with whom I came in contact
+with confidence and kindness.  During my stay, my feelings were
+never hurt by ungenerous allusions to my native country.  Whatever
+unpleasant associations were produced, from time to time, among
+the planters by the passing events of the war, they were
+restrained by a feeling of delicacy, which I could duly
+appreciate, from indulging in offensive remarks in my hearing.  On
+one occasion their forbearance, politeness, and respect for myself
+were put to a severe test.
+
+The war between Great Britain and the United states deprived the
+inhabitants of the British West India colonies of many comforts
+and luxuries which they enjoyed when free intercourse was
+maintained between the United States and the different ports in
+the English islands.  During the war, all the stores and
+provisions, lumber, and other important materials required on the
+plantations, were conveyed thither from ports in Great Britain in
+ships sailing under convoy of men-of-war.  The arrival of these
+ships, which took place at certain seasons, when the produce was
+ready for shipping, was anxiously expected, as they were freighted
+not only with useful articles for the estates, but also contained
+generous lots of hams, porter, cheese, wines, and other delicacies
+and condiments, ordered by the planters themselves for their
+especial benefit and enjoyment.  It was a day of jubilee and
+rejoicing when a ship known to be freighted with these "good
+things" and "creature comforts" arrived safely in port.
+
+At the proper season, in 1814, the good ship Corunna, of Bristol,
+was expected at Greenville.  This ship was an old trader, and the
+captain had been intrusted with many commissions, which, as he was
+an honest and faithful man, it was not doubted he would execute
+satisfactorily.  Most of the planters in that part of the island
+were looking out anxiously every day for the arrival of the
+Corunna.  Their private stores had been long exhausted, and they
+longed to have them replenished.  The ship was an unreasonable
+time on her passage.
+
+It was Sunday afternoon.  I was dining with Mr. Stevenson, the
+manager of the Tivoli estate, in company with several planters.
+The house was situated on an elevated spot, and commanded a fine
+view of the sea, extending nearly from the Grenadines to LaBaye,
+the port of Greenville.  It was distant from the sea shore not
+more than a couple of miles.  Suddenly, on looking out of the
+front windows of the dining hall, a large ship was seen under full
+sail, coming with a fair wind from the direction of the Grenadines
+and steering towards LaBaye.
+
+"That is the Corunna," shouted one of the gentlemen present.
+"Hurrah!"
+
+"Not the Corunna," remarked Mr. Stevenson.  "The Corunna is not so
+good looking and is of a different model.  The West India fleet,
+however, must have arrived at Barbadoes, and the Corunna will soon
+be along."
+
+At that moment another ship appeared, carrying a cloud of canvas,
+coming round the point.  This vessel was not the Corunna, and kept
+close in with the land, running also for LaBaye.  A shade of
+disappointment rested on the features of some of the planters; but
+all continued to gaze eagerly in the direction of the sea, hoping
+that the long expected ship, bearing, not the Golden Fleece from
+Colchis, but treasures from England, of far greater value in the
+estimation of their owners, would next make her appearance.  Their
+expectations were realized.  Another ship came into view, with
+every sail set which would draw; royals, skysails, and studding
+sails, from the truck to the deck, and the British ensign was
+waving at her peak.
+
+"There comes the Corunna, at last!" exclaimed Mr. Stevenson.
+
+"The Corunna!  The Corunna!" was the responsive cry.
+
+"I declare," said Mr. McInnis, the manager of the Carriere estate,
+"I feel greatly relieved.  I began to think the ship had been
+picked up by some Yankee privateer, and my Stilton cheese and
+'brown stout' gone in another direction."
+
+"I was suspicious, myself, that some accident of that kind had
+happened," replied Mr. Stevenson; "but she is safe enough now, and
+will be at anchor in an hour or so.  Therefore, let us fill our
+glasses, and drink the health of her successful commander."
+
+The glasses were filled; but before their contents were quaffed,
+the company were startled by the loud report of a cannon, which
+came booming across the land.  At this moment another vessel,
+which had fired the gun, was seen coming round the point,
+following closely in the wake of the Corunna.
+
+This vessel was of a model widely different from those which first
+came along.  She was a long, low, black hermaphrodite brig, with
+tall, raking masts, and a row of ports, evidently intended for use
+rather than ornament.  Every plank in her hull, every rope at her
+mast-head, and every cloth of her canvas looked as if they meant
+MISCHIEF.   Her national flag, which bore the stars and stripes,
+was not necessary to proclaim the presence of one of the much
+dreaded American privateers.  The company looked as if the angel
+of destruction was hovering over the island.
+
+"A privateer!  An American privateer!" exclaimed Stevenson.  "The
+Corunna is nabbed after all."
+
+"Not so!" said Mr. McCrimmon of Belmont.  "Not so!  The Corunna
+will show fight.  Her captain is a brave man, and will not strike
+his flag without good reason.  Look there, he fires a broadside!
+Huzza!"
+
+The Corunna now changed her course, keeping away before the wind,
+and running directly for the land.  She discharged three or four
+guns from her starboard ports, which were replied to by the "long
+Tom" of the privateer.  The captain of the ship, apparently,
+considered it useless to fight, and made an attempt to run the
+ship ashore; but his object being perceived by the Yankee, he also
+kept off, and sailing much faster than the Englishman, placed his
+brig between the ship and the beach, hammering away in the mean
+time with his "long Tom."  The Corunna fired no shot in return,
+and in a few minutes hauled down her flag in token of surrender.
+
+It subsequently appeared that the three ships had left England and
+came to Barbadoes with the large outward bound West India fleet;
+but being well armed, and stoutly manned, had concluded not to
+wait for convoy to Grenada, and the risk being small, agreed to
+keep together, stand by each other, and combine their forces if
+menaced by an enemy.  They passed the Grenadines, came in sight of
+their port, and were exulting in having accomplished the passage
+in safety, when the Yankee privateer brig Chasseur, of Baltimore,
+Captain Boyle, shot out from behind the promontory of Sauteurs and
+gave chase.  A harbor was in sight ahead and the enemy astern.  It
+is perhaps not remarkable that under these circumstances
+discretion outweighed valor; that the two headmost vessels FORGOT
+THE AGREEMENT, and, adopting the memorable order which was acted
+on by the "Grand Army" after the burning of Moscow,   "SAUVE QUI
+PEUT,"   ensconced themselves, as quickly as possible, in the snug
+harbor of Greenville.  The captain of the Corunna was a brave man,
+as had been truly said.  He was anxious to fight, but his men,
+after one ineffective broadside, left the guns.  He then attempted
+to run his ship ashore, but was foiled by the superior sailing of
+the enemy.  The Corunna had a miscellaneous cargo of considerable
+value, and a successful attempt was made to carry her into an
+American port.  She reached Wilmington in safety, and the North
+Carolina cotton planters doubtless ate and drank with a keen
+relish the good things which were intended for the sugar planters
+of Grenada.
+
+It may be easily imagined, that the news of a treaty of peace
+having been signed at Ghent, was received with great and sincere
+delight by the inhabitants of the English islands.  Far from their
+native homes, and in a great measure free from political
+excitement, they manifested no great interest in the results of
+the war, indulging only a vague desire and expectation that
+British arms would prevail.  The war had caused them great
+inconvenience, and deprived them of many comforts; and it was
+difficult to say whether my friends or myself derived the most
+gratification from the fact that peace was established between the
+two countries.
+
+Time passed on.  I had nearly cleared myself from debt, and had
+even fixed the period when I should be able to leave Grenada and
+engage in other pursuits.  My friends combated the resolution I
+had taken, assuring me of success, even to the extent of my
+wishes, if I would remain on the island.  Indeed, I was more than
+half promised the management of a plantation near Guayave, called
+Grosse Point, by Mr. McQueen, the Receiver General.  Fearing I
+might be tempted to remain, by offers which I should be unable to
+withstand, I was anxious to hasten the period of my departure.
+
+About this time a bill, providing for a registry of the slaves in
+every British colony, was passed by the Parliament of Great
+Britain, with a view to put a more effectual barrier to the
+African slave trade.  This bill was not understood by the blacks.
+They were aware that some law intended for their benefit, perhaps
+favoring their emancipation, had been enacted, and not
+experiencing any advantageous results, after waiting patiently
+some weeks they began to consult together, to murmur, and exhibit
+signs of discontent, which caused great alarm.  On several estates
+the field laborers in a body, including the head drivers and other
+magnates, left their homes and went to St. George.  They demanded
+to be put in possession of those indulgences and rights to which
+they supposed they were entitled by the law which had just been
+passed.
+
+The planters, recollecting the bloody scenes that had been
+enacted, years before, at the beginning of the insurrection headed
+by Fedon, were greatly alarmed.  Military organizations were
+formed in different districts, and a regular night patrol, and a
+well-devised system of espionage, were kept up for several weeks.
+The governor of Grenada and the Grenadines, at this period, was
+Major General Riall, who had distinguished himself while
+commanding the British army on the Canada frontiers, and was
+wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Niagara.  Acting with
+judgment, firmness, and discretion, he succeeded in pacifying
+those bodies of slaves who sought him, and explained the true
+character of the act.  They slowly returned to the plantations and
+resumed their labors; but were evidently dissatisfied, and more
+than half convinced that even the governor was deceiving them.
+
+To add to the excitement, a rumor was spread abroad, and obtained
+belief, that a number of aliens had arrived in the island, with
+the intention of stirring up another insurrection; and a sort of
+panic prevailed among the whites.  The governor issued a
+proclamation, declaring that every free person who was not a
+native citizen of Great Britain, or who had not taken the oath of
+allegiance, must appear forthwith before the executive authorities
+of St. George, and report himself and state his object in being on
+the island.
+
+I felt myself included in the list of aliens, and in spite of the
+remonstrances of friends, who insisted that the proclamation did
+not apply to me, I determined to comply with its directions, and
+go immediately to St. George.  Accompanied by a gentleman who was
+connected with the government, and to whom I had a letter of
+introduction, I called upon his excellency.  The governor was a
+thick-set, ruddy-faced man, with a decidedly military air, of
+simple habits and courteous manners.  He received me with great
+politeness.  On being informed that I was an American, he waived
+all desire for an explanation in regard to the cause of my
+residence in the island; and further remarked, that should it at
+any time be in his power to render me service, it would give him
+pleasure to do it.
+
+When peace was established between the two countries it was
+expected the ports in the English islands would be thrown open for
+trade, as before the war.  In this expectation the planters were
+disappointed.  In order to protect the trade in the British
+American provinces, the importation of produce in American bottoms
+was prohibited.  Consequently there was no direct communication
+between English ports in the West Indies and ports in the United
+States.  Our vessels landed and sold their cargoes in St. Thomas,
+St. Bartholomew, or some other free port, where they were shipped
+in English bottoms, and thence conveyed to the English islands.
+
+There being no opportunity to go directly to the United States
+from Grenada, I sought the means of proceeding to some other port,
+where I should be likely to fall in with an American vessel.  I
+called on Mr. Budge, a merchant of St. George, with whom I had
+some acquaintance, to make inquiries.  He informed me he was on
+the point of chartering a small vessel in which to proceed to St.
+Pierre in Martinico, should sail in the course of a few weeks, and
+would cheerfully give me a passage to that port.
+
+I returned to the interior of the island in fine spirits, and
+commenced making the necessary arrangements for my departure.  In
+due time, having received information from Mr. Budge that his
+sloop would sail on a certain day, I took leave of my numerous
+friends, bade farewell to the plantations; to the lonely glens and
+deep gorges in the mountains, which for me, had many charms, and
+took the "Grand Etang" route for the capital.  I could not bid
+adieu to my kind Scotch friends without emotion.  Several of them
+expressed an intention to visit the United States before the lapse
+of many years, perhaps to settle there for life, and promised to
+look me up.  But I have never seen them since.  With the sight of
+a Scotchman, however, is associated many pleasing recollections;
+and a Scotch accent has ever sounded grateful in my ear since I
+left the shores of Grenada.
+
+During my residence in Grenada my duties were neither arduous nor
+difficult.  Had I complied with the advice of friends and
+remained, I might have succeeded as a planter, and led for a
+number of years a lazy, monotonous, vegetative kind of life.
+Nevertheless, my stay was not unproductive of advantages.  I found
+much to interest and occupy an inquiring mind; and my situation
+gave me an opportunity to gratify a thirst for information, to
+gain an intimate knowledge of tropical life, usages, and
+productions which has often since proved of signal service.  I was
+brought into communication with people of different nations,
+different characters, and different modes of thinking; of
+different politics, philosophy, and religion; all of which has a
+tendency to eradicate or weaken early prejudices, liberalize
+opinions, and inculcate charitable views of human nature.  While
+such a relation with people of other countries can never diminish
+the feeling of patriotism in a well-balanced mind, it will lead a
+persons to discover, acknowledge, and respect, in other
+communities and other nations, much that is good and worthy of
+commendation.
+
+After paying my debts and supplying a few pressing wants I found
+remaining in my pocket fifty Spanish dollars.  I had emerged from
+a state of poverty and dependence.  I was rich, having the means,
+without much doubt, of procuring a passage from Martinico to some
+port in the United States.
+
+
+Chapter XXXI
+SORROWFUL SCENES
+
+It was about the middle of September in the year 1816 that I
+embarked with Mr. Budge in a little sloop bound to St. Lucia and
+Martinico, after having resided in Grenada nearly four years.  We
+had a few other passengers, one of whom was a French gentleman
+named Chambord, who had fought a duel with an Englishman in St.
+Lucia a few months before.  This duel grew out of a fierce dispute
+in relation to the battle of Waterloo, and the comparative merit,
+in a military point of view, of Napoleon and Wellington.  The
+Frenchman, being an adroit swordsman, got the best of the argument
+by running his antagonist through the body, and leaving him
+senseless, and apparently lifeless, on the field.  He made his
+escape to Grenada.  Having learned that the champion of Wellington
+was in a fair way to recover from his wound, he was now on his
+return to his home.
+
+We tarried but a short time at St. Lucia, merely lying off and on
+at the mouth of the port of Castries, or Carenage, which is one of
+the most beautiful and safe harbors in that part of the world; the
+entrance being so narrow that two ships cannot pass through it
+abreast; but inside, the extent of the harbor and depth of water
+are sufficient to furnish good anchorage and shelter from
+hurricanes for a large fleet of ships of the largest class.
+
+On arriving at St. Pierre I found a fearful hurricane had raged in
+that quarter only a week or ten days before.  The wind, blowing
+from the eastward directly into the open roadstead with
+irresistible fury, had driven every vessel in port ashore on the
+beach.  The ship Cato, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, having all
+her cargo discharged, and presenting a large surface of hull to
+the wind and the waves, was found, after the tempest had subsided,
+high and dry in one of the streets, in a condition which precluded
+the possibility of getting her into the water, and was broken up.
+Others were launched on "ways" constructed for the purpose; while
+some sustained but little injury, and were easily got afloat.  One
+English brig, built of the red cedar of Bermuda, a material
+greatly in favor at that time on account of its remarkable
+resistance to DECAY, was crushed like an egg-shell the moment it
+struck the shore, and the fragments were strown along the beach.
+
+At the time I arrived at St. Pierre the yellow fever was
+prevailing to an alarming extent among the inhabitants.  The same
+epidemic prevailed in Point Petre, Guadaloupe, and the numerous
+immigrants from France, in some cases whole families, who sought
+those shores with the hope of improving their condition, were cut
+off by this terrible disease soon after their arrival.  Some cases
+of yellow fever appeared among the shipping in St. Pierre, and
+nearly every one proved fatal, showing the malignant type of the
+disease.  Great alarm was manifested lest the epidemic should
+spread among the vessels, and sweep off whole crews, and I
+subsequently learned that these apprehensions were realized.
+
+I engaged lodgings on shore, and was there an eye witness to the
+ravages of this plague of the West Indies.  Young and healthy men,
+full of hope and gayety, with rich prospects in the future, were
+visited by this grim messenger soon after they set their feet on
+those shores; and few, very few, recovered.  Death was doing a
+mighty business at Martinico at that time; and during my brief
+stay I listened to many a thrilling tale of hopes blighted, ties
+of affection sundered, and sorrows awakened by the remorseless
+action of the "King of Terrors."  The strong man was cut down
+while boasting of his strength; and youth, beauty, or worth
+furnished no protection from the attack of this West India
+pestilence.
+
+After my long residence in Grenada I had no fear of yellow fever
+in Martinico; and in several cases at my boarding house I was able
+to render valuable assistance.  I was now anxious to get temporary
+employment of some kind, or procure a passage to the United
+States.  I was every day getting nearer the bottom of my purse;
+and I trembled at the idea of finding myself penniless in the town
+of St. Pierre.  I could hardly hope to meet with the sympathy and
+kindness from the Frenchmen of Martinico that I found in Grenada
+among the natives of Scotland.
+
+Owing to the shipwrecks, caused by the hurricane, there was no
+want of seamen; and I could not even get an opportunity to work my
+passage to an American port before the mast.  I had been so long
+in the West Indies that I had lost the distinguishing marks of a
+Yankee.  And my broad accent, my swarthy complexion, my
+unseamanlike costume, adapted to the climate, all seemed to
+contradict my statement that I was an American sailor.
+
+At Martinico I fell in with an Englishman, Captain William Parker,
+who had resided in the islands for many years, and was thoroughly
+acquainted with the trade in that part of the globe.  He was then
+making preparations to engage in a sort of wholesale smuggling
+business, and had obtained possession, by hook or by crook, of two
+registers of American vessels.  One was a BONA FIDE register of a
+privateer which had been captured during the war, and the other a
+forgery neatly executed by an artist in Martinico, having the
+signatures and seals duly arranged and perfected, but leaving
+blank the description of the vessel.
+
+With these registers,   valuable documents, in his estimation,
+having cost him no trifling sum,   it was his wish to proceed to
+New York, and with the aid of some unscrupulous capitalist,
+purchase an English schooner, answering nearly to the description
+in the register of the privateer; or, failing in that, procure an
+English vessel of any kind suitable, and fill up the blanks with a
+description of the same in the other American register.  Then with
+two captains, one English and one American, each acting as mate
+alternately, and with a crew who could be confided in, HE PROPOSED
+TO CARRY ON A DIRECT TRADE WITH THE ENGLISH ISLANDS, securing all
+the advantages, in the way of port charges and duties, of an
+American vessel in an American port and an English vessel in an
+English port!  A few voyages successfully performed on this plan,
+he plausibly urged, would be productive of immense profit to all
+concerned.
+
+Parker was desirous that I would embark with him in this
+enterprise, and act as the nominal American commander.  But I had
+an instinctive repugnance to proceedings of such an underhand,
+unlawful character.  This of itself would have been enough to lead
+me to reject his proposition; and furthermore I had no confidence
+in the man, or his ability to carry his project into operation.  I
+thanked Parker for his friendly offer, and the COMPLIMENT it
+conveyed, but declined to enter into any engagement of the kind.
+Whether he succeeded in carrying his project into effect I never
+learned; but the same plan was successfully put into execution by
+an enterprising rogue about the same time, who undertook to run a
+vessel between Baltimore and Barbadoes, carrying out flour and
+bringing back coffee and sugar.  He performed two trips
+successfully, but on the third got into trouble.  One of the crew,
+who had been unadvisedly punished for insubordination, gave
+information to the authorities in Barbadoes, which put a period,
+for a time at least, to his enterprising pursuits.
+
+A few days before I landed in St. Pierre, the brig Betsey, Captain
+Blackler, arrived in the harbor from Marseilles.  A large portion
+of her cargo was discharged, and Captain Blackler concluded to
+send the brig with the remaining portion, consisting of wine im
+casks, to New Orleans, while he remained behind to transact
+important business for the owner of the brig, William Gray, of
+Salem.  Accordingly the mate, Mr. Adams, an intelligent and highly
+deserving young man, belonging to Marblehead, was placed in
+charge, and the mate of the unfortunate ship Cato, which forsook
+her proper element to explore the streets of St. Pierre, and could
+not get back, was engaged as mate of the Betsey.
+
+ I applied to Captain Blackler for a passage to New Orleans.  The
+brig was fully manned, with six stout, able-bodied seamen before
+the mast, and cook, mate, and captain, nine in all.  Captain
+Blackler demanded forty dollars for a passage in the cabin; by no
+means an exorbitant charge.  Nevertheless this was a poser, as
+after paying for my board, I had only twenty dollars remaining.
+This matter, however, was satisfactorily settled by a COMPROMISE,
+  a happy way of getting rid of a difficulty.  I proposed to
+advance twenty dollars before quitting Martinico, and give an
+obligation for twenty more when the brig should arrive at New
+Orleans; and he agreed to the proposition.  But HOW I should raise
+twenty dollars on reaching New Orleans, was a question I could not
+answer, and did not like to consider.  I strove hard to convince
+myself I should never be called upon for payment, or if called
+upon, that fortune would favor me by furnishing, in some way, the
+means.
+
+Captain Blackler was a gentleman much respected and esteemed.  He
+was a good specimen of an American shipmaster.  When we got under
+way he came on board, apparently in good health and spirits, to
+bid us farewell.  I shook hands with him as he stepped over the
+side.  He gave some final instructions to Mr. Adams, who had
+assumed the command of the Betsey.  They mutually wished each
+other continued health and prosperity, expressed a hope to meet
+before long in Marblehead, and parted   NEVER TO MEET AGAIN!
+Before another week had passed they were both summoned before
+their God.  It was afterwards ascertained that Captain Blackler
+was attacked by yellow fever a few days after the brig left
+Martinico, and was quickly added to the numerous band of victims
+to that disease.
+
+The brig Betsey was about two hundred and twenty tons burden; a
+clump, dull-sailing craft, of rather venerable appearance, with no
+pretensions to youth or beauty, having braved the dangers of the
+seas for thirty years; nevertheless she was now apparently as
+sound, safe, and tight as any vessel that crossed the ocean.
+Captain Adams was a worthy man, of an amiable character, who had
+been educated to his business; and the mate, Mr. Ricker, had been
+commander of a ship, and was strongly recommended as an able and
+faithful officer.  The crew were Americans, resolute-looking,
+powerful fellows, in robust health.  There had been no sickness on
+board during the voyage; and all of them, including the captain
+and mate, were rejoiced to leave the island of Martinico.  As the
+mountains faded in the distance they fancied they had left the
+yellow fever far behind, and congratulated each other on their
+good fortune.
+
+Our route, as will be seen by examining a chart or a map, was a
+remarkably interesting one.  It extended through the Caribbean
+Sea, where the trade winds blow unceasingly from the eastward, in
+a direction south of some of the most beautiful and picturesque
+islands in the world, as Porto Rico, St. Domingo, and Cuba, and
+ranged along in sight of Jamaica and the Caymans, then rounded
+Cape Antonio, once the notorious haunt of pirates, and entered the
+Gulf of Mexico.  Leaving the harbor of St. Pierre under such
+auspices, I anticipated a delightful trip and being a passenger,
+with no duties to perform, and no responsibility resting on my
+shoulders, I was prepared to enjoy the POETRY of a seafaring life.
+
+ The night following our departure there was a gentle breeze from
+the eastward, the sea was smooth, and everything in the
+atmosphere, on the ocean, or in the vessel gave promise of a
+pleasant passage.  I remained on deck that night until twelve
+o'clock, in conversation with Captain Adams.  He seemed in a
+particularly pleasant and communicative mood; spoke of his past
+life, which had been but little clouded with misfortune, and
+indulged in the most cheerful anticipations with regard to the
+future.
+
+The next day I learned that one of the seamen, named James Smith,
+belonging to Wiscasset, in Maine, was unable, from illness, to do
+his duty.  I found that Smith was not a favorite with the crew,
+being a lazy fellow, who would act the part of an "old soldier"
+when an opportunity offered.  As he did not seem very sick, and
+some thought he was feigning illness to avoid work, no alarm was
+excited in consequence.
+
+There was a man on board the Betsey whose name was Gaskell; a
+tall, stalwart fellow, belonging to Greenbush, New York.  He
+showed in his words and actions that he was unprincipled, a
+thorough reprobate, whose soul had been case-hardened in crime.
+This man ridiculed the illness of Smith; tried to rouse him from
+his berth in the half-deck; declared that he was "shamming
+Abraham," and threatened him with a rope's end unless he gave over
+skulking.  Gaskell spoke of the mortality among the Frenchmen in
+Martinico, and this furnished him with an inexhaustible source of
+amusement.  Indeed, human suffering, lingering death by shipwreck
+or disease, always moved him to mirth and laughter.  And yet he
+was not deficient in intellect and education; but had used them
+for evil purposes.  He was coarse, sensual, intemperate, and
+terribly profane.  He boldly avowed a disbelief in a God, and
+sneered at the idea of punishment for crime in the future.  He
+loved to talk of the yellow fever; he set that fearful disease at
+defiance, and said he never enjoyed himself so gloriously as he
+had done the year previously at Savannah, when the yellow fever
+was sweeping off the crews of the shipping in that port by
+hundreds, and he found employment as a carpenter, and cleared ten
+dollars a day by making coffins for the "Yankee" sailors.  I felt
+from the outset that this Gaskell was a bad man, and a further
+knowledge of him confirmed my impression and increased my disgust.
+
+In the course of the day I visited the half-deck, at the request
+of Captain Adams, to examine the condition of Smith.  I found him
+in a feverish state, languid, his spirits much depressed, and with
+a slight headache.  At the time I had no suspicion that he was
+visited with yellow fever, the disease appeared in so mild a form.
+Some medicine was given him, and it was expected that in a day or
+so he would recover his health.
+
+The next morning, being the third day after leaving Martinico, I
+was awakened soon after daybreak by a succession of groans which
+came from the captain's stateroom.  I entered the room, and was
+greatly alarmed at finding Captain Adams laboring under a severe
+attack of illness.  He was seized with pains in the head and back,
+accompanied with scorching fever.  His pulsations were strong,
+quick, and irregular.  He said he must have caught a violent cold
+the night before, by remaining on deck without his coat or hat.  I
+did not contradict him; but I had seen persons in a similar
+condition, and I knew he was suffering from yellow fever in its
+most alarming form.
+
+All the medical skill I possessed was put in requisition; but the
+captain grew worse, and before night he was aware of the true
+character of the disease, and seemed to feel there was no chance
+for his recovery.  I strove to minister consolation and inspire
+him with hope, but in vain.  He acknowledged that life had charms
+of the most attractive description; fortune had favored him beyond
+his expectations; he had relations and friends whom he dearly
+loved; and there was one bright being in his native town to whom
+he had plighted his vows of affection, and to whom he hoped to
+have been united for life if Providence had willed his return.
+But he was resigned to the will of the Almighty.  He did not even
+murmur at the fate which he knew awaited him.  He prayed to his
+God to pardon the sins he had committed, and looked forward with
+hope to a glorious immortality.
+
+The breeze had been light and the sea remarkably smooth since we
+left St. Pierre; and the brig, steering to the north-west, had
+made slow progress.  On the morning after the captain was taken
+sick we expected to be in sight of Porto Rico; and Captain Adams
+asked Mr. Ricker, the mate, if any land was in sight.  The mate
+thoughtlessly replied, "'The Dead Man's Chest' can just be seen
+off deck." This was the English name of a small island, or cluster
+of rocks, some five or six miles south of Porto Rico, resembling
+in appearance a coffin, and called, in Spanish, "Moxa del Muerta."
+
+Captain Adams remarked, in a soliloquizing strain, "The Dead Man's
+Chest? Already in sight?  Well, it will soon be wanted; I am
+ready."
+
+The sufferings of this excellent man were intense.  The pains in
+his head and back kept increasing; yet his mind was tranquil, and
+he retained command of his mental faculties until the last moment
+of his life.  During his illness he expressed kindness for others,
+and made suggestions to the mate about sailing the brig and
+carrying on the work.  As he grew weaker, he gave explicit
+directions to Mr. Ricker in regard to the duties which would
+devolve upon him at his death, and intrusted me with a solemn
+message to his dearest friends, which I afterwards faithfully
+delivered.
+
+On the third day after the fever commenced the BLACK VOMIT set in.
+This is generally regarded as a fatal symptom, being almost always
+the precursor of death.  But the fortitude of the captain never
+for a moment forsook him.  He was sustained in that dread hour by
+a guiltless conscience and a steadfast, deep-rooted, religious
+principle.
+
+A few hours after this alarming prognostic made its appearance, he
+died, while I was bathing his forehead; and a prayer hung upon his
+lips, even as the spirit left the earthly tabernacle.  He died as
+became a Christian; and his features in death were tranquil as
+those of a sleeping infant.
+
+His body was soon afterwards brought on deck, where the whole
+ship's company were assembled.  The funeral rites were simple, but
+solemn and impressive; and far away from the friends of his youth,
+with no heart-stricken relatives to gather around the coffin, and
+form a mournful procession to the grave, and hallow the burial
+spot with the tears of affection, the mortal remains of our worthy
+commander were launched into the deep.  They were committed, not
+to the silent tomb, but to that vast burial place, that "God's
+Acre" of almost illimitable extent, where deep caves, and recesses
+invisible to mortal eye, have served for ages as the last resting
+place of myriads of human beings, cut off untimely, without
+warning note of preparation, from the hopes and disappointments,
+the joys and sorrows, of this world; where, without headstone or
+monument, inscription or epitaph, to mark the place, with only the
+rushing winds to mourn their departure, and the murmuring waves to
+chant their requiem,
+
+"After life's fitful fever, they sleep well."
+
+It is remarkable that in no part of the world, in any age, has the
+sea been selected as a burial place for the dead.  Indeed, the
+idea of being drowned at sea, or dying on shipboard to be intombed
+in the fathomless ocean, is so abhorrent to many individuals that
+it is with fear and trembling they trust themselves on the water.
+It was a belief of the ancients, that to insure happiness
+hereafter, the dead body of a human being must be covered with
+earth; otherwise the departed spirit would never enter the Elysian
+Fields, but wander restless on the nether banks of Styx, in full
+view of delights and joys which it could never expect to realize.
+
+Mr. Ricker, the mate, now took command of the brig.  This man
+possessed a warm and affectionate heart, and was deeply moved by
+the death of the captain.  He wept aloud when the interment took
+place, and sought to alleviate his grief by copious draughts of
+spirituous liquors.  He wept and drank himself to sleep while
+reclining on a hen-coop.  In a few hours he awoke, and wept again;
+then told the cook to bring the brandy bottle, which soon acted as
+an opiate, and banished his sorrows.  He pursued this course,
+crying and drinking for more than a week; and during the greater
+part of this time, while I was witnessing scenes of sadness and
+death enough to chill the stoutest heart, he incapacitated
+himself, by intoxication, from performing his duties as commander
+of the ill-fated vessel.
+
+Smith was still lingering under the attack of a disease which we
+now knew to be yellow fever.  He was gradually growing worse.
+Others of the crew were also visited by this dreadful pestilence,
+and the deck of the brig resembled one of the fever wards of a
+hospital.  The groans of the poor fellows were enough, one would
+think, to create sympathy in the coldest bosom.  But they had no
+effect upon Gaskell, excepting to excite derision; and when he
+spoke to his sick or dying shipmates with a ribald jest on his
+lips, and a scornful grin on his features, I longed to fell him to
+the deck.  I rebuked him for his want of feeling, and suggested
+that, proud as he was of his strength and immunity from sickness,
+he might, notwithstanding, become an object of sympathy to his
+shipmates, and need their assistance.  The answer I received was a
+boisterous laugh, as if the idea was too absurd to be entertained.
+
+Many years have passed since these events occurred, but even now I
+cannot recur to them without a feeling of sadness.  And no one,
+not familiar with such scenes, can form an idea of the distress
+which a mortal sickness produces on board a ship at sea.  The
+captain had died, and the mate, who should have taken his place,
+was constantly in a state of beastly intoxication.  Three of the
+crew were struggling with yellow fever, and, to add to our
+troubles, Gaskell made his way into the hold, and broached a cask
+of wine; and those who were not sick followed the example of the
+mate, and got drunk, and drowned in vociferous shouts and songs
+the groans of their suffering shipmates.  Under these
+circumstances, I had no alternative but to take on myself the
+responsibility of navigating and sailing the vessel.  And while
+proceeding along the fruitful shores of St. Domingo, and the
+picturesque coast of Jamaica, I passed whole nights on deck,
+engaged in tending the sick, trimming the sails, and steering the
+brig.  It was truly fortunate that the wind continued light and
+the weather pleasant.
+
+Smith, who was the first man taken sick, did not recover.  His
+illness gradually increased; for several days his mind wandered,
+but he was not troublesome, and died on the tenth day after we
+left St. Pierre.  On the day of the captain's death, a young man,
+belonging to Connecticut, was seized with a fever, and died five
+days afterwards in a state of delirium.  His case required
+constant care and attention, as he made more than one attempt to
+throw himself overboard, in order, as he believed, to embrace his
+parents and friends in his own native village.  Two others were
+taken alarmingly ill, but after suffering severely for several
+days gradually recovered.  The cook, a stout black fellow, inured
+to warm climates, rendered me great assistance in taking care of
+the sick.  But on the morning on which we beheld the mountains of
+Jamaica he also was visited by yellow fever.  The symptoms were
+alarming, and there seemed no prospect of his recovery; but on the
+third day of his sickness, AND AFTER THE BLACK VOMIT HAD
+COMMENCED, and while I sat watching by his berth, expecting that
+in a few minutes he would breathe his last, he seemed to revive,
+and I put some rice-water to his lips.  He swallowed a small
+quantity; the terrible forerunner of a speedy dissolution
+disappeared, and from that moment his strength gradually
+increased, the fever left him, and before we reached New Orleans
+he had recovered.
+
+While the cook was still dangerously ill, one morning early, as we
+were slowly sailing along towards the Grand Cayman, Gaskell came
+crawling up the steps leading to the half-deck, and tottered along
+towards me.  I was appalled at the change which a single night had
+made in his appearance.  The defiant, rollicking ruffian no longer
+stood before me; the sneer was no longer on his countenance, his
+eyes no longer sparkled with mischief, and his language was not
+interlarded with disgusting profanity.  His eyes were glassy, his
+cheeks ghastly pale, and a cold sweat, produced by FEAR, stood on
+his forehead.  The workings of suffering and terror were imprinted
+on his features, and he looked as if twenty years had been added
+to his life in one short night.
+
+And he had cause for alarm; the yellow fever had fastened upon him
+with a vice-like grasp, and he felt it in his inmost soul.  The
+man was a coward, after all.  He thought himself secure from the
+scourge, and put on a mask of defiance.  He now knew that he had
+deceived himself, and all his daring vanished.  HE WAS AFRAID OF
+DEATH; AND THE DREADFUL CONVICTION WAS FORCED UPON HIM THAT HIS
+DYING HOUR WAS AT HAND.
+
+In tremulous accents, Gaskell described the symptoms of the
+disease.  The shooting pains in his head, neck, and shoulders were
+insufferable, and he entreated me to do something, any thing, to
+relieve the pain, and restore him to health.  He urged me to bleed
+him, which I undertook, and opened a vein in each arm, but the
+blood would not flow; the vital current seemed to be congealed by
+fear.  He then begged me to bathe his back with camphor and
+opodeldoc, and although I knew the operation would produce no
+effect, I consented to his wishes, and for more than an hour
+rubbed his back as he desired, and bathed his head with vinegar
+and lime juice.
+
+But the disease could not be removed.  It seized upon his vitals,
+and he rapidly grew worse.  His pains were great, but his mental
+agonies were greater.  For worlds I would not suffer what that man
+suffered while rushing into the fearful embraces of death.  His
+mind was clear and unclouded, while madness would have been mercy.
+His life had been loose and depraved.  He had been guilty of many
+crimes, and in the day of death the stings of conscience pierced
+him to the soul.  His evil deeds came back to him in that hour;
+they were stamped on his heart as with a red-hot iron.  I tried to
+console him, but in vain.  He would not listen when I spoke of
+death, and fiercely motioned me away when I attempted to read
+aloud a chapter from the Bible.  He said but little; but what he
+did say were words of bitterness and despair.  He declared, with
+an awful oath, that he would not die, and struggled fiercely for
+life to the last.  I never shall forget the wild and ghastly
+countenance and distorted features of that dying man, who, only a
+few days before, while in the full flush of health, declared, with
+a diabolical grin, that he feared neither God nor man.
+
+The fever had now run its race, but our ship's company was greatly
+reduced in number and in strength.  The captain and three of the
+seamen had been committed to the waves, and others had not fully
+recovered from the effects of the fever.  Mr. Ricker was the only
+person on board, with the exception of myself, who had entirely
+escaped.  Whether drunkenness acted, in his case, as a preventive,
+I will not undertake to say; neither will I advise any one to try
+the hazardous experiment.
+
+We were now in sight of the Isle of Pines, fourteen days having
+elapsed since we sailed from Martinico, when I observed
+indications of one of those severe gales not unusual in the Gulf
+of Mexico and vicinity, and known at "northers."  Light-handed as
+we were, and without an efficient head, I was aware that our
+situation was a critical one.  I then felt justified in doing what
+I should have done sooner; I threw overboard every drop of spirit
+I could find, and then applied myself to rouse Mr. 'Ricker from
+his drunken inactivity;  I explained to him my apprehensions of a
+gale of wind, and the necessity for making preparation for the
+coming tempest.  This brought him to his senses; and after
+grumbling somewhat at the loss of his liquor, and taking a deep
+draught of water, he entered with energy on the sphere of his
+duties.
+
+Ricker was a man of large stature and great physical strength.  He
+was also a thorough seaman, and, when not stupefied with liquor,
+was an active, energetic man.  By his powerful aid, and under his
+direction, the brig was soon put in a condition to withstand the
+heavy gale from the north, which soon came upon us, and completely
+ventilated the steerage and cabin, which had so long been the
+depository of a pestilential atmosphere.  The "norther" lasted two
+days, the greater part of which time we were lying to, under a
+close-reefed main-topsail; and when the gale abated, we found
+ourselves further north than at its commencement, and not far from
+Cape St. Antonio, the western extremity of Cuba,   a fact which
+illustrates in a striking manner, the force of the current which
+at certain times sets north, like a sluice-way, between Cuba and
+Yucatan, into the Gulf of Mexico, and is the origin of the Gulf
+Stream.
+
+We entered the Gulf of Mexico, and with a fair breeze sailed for
+"the Balize."  In a few days we struck soundings near the mouth of
+the Mississippi, and soon fell in with the turbid waters that are
+swept far out to sea by the strength of the current of that mighty
+river.  We steered for a lighthouse, constructed of granite, on
+the eastern extremity of a point, and which, resting on a
+quagmire, was hardly completed before it assumed an attitude
+resembling the leaning tower of Pisa, and in six months afterwards
+it took a horizontal position.  It is hardly necessary to say it
+was never lighted.  We took a pilot and entered the river by the
+Balize or "South-east Pass," which was the deepest channel at that
+time, and navigable only for vessels drawing not more than fifteen
+feet of water, and, by dint of hard labor,   steam towboats being
+then unknown,   worked our way to the city of New Orleans.
+
+
+Chapter XXXII
+NEW ORLEANS IN 1817
+
+I have already stated that the owner of the Brig Betsey was Mr.
+Gray, of Salem, a merchant of great enterprise, probity, and
+wealth.  He soon afterwards removed to Boston, and was known
+throughout this country and the maritime cities of Europe by the
+name of "Billy Gray."  His agent in New Orleans was Nathaniel
+Ware.  Mr. Ricker explained to him the mournful events which had
+taken place on the passage from the West Indies, and Mr. Ware
+exhibited deep sympathy while listening to the tale of suffering.
+Ricker, prompted by a feeling of gratitude which showed the
+goodness of his heart, gave me full credit for the services I had
+rendered during the passage; explained the nature of my connection
+with the brig, and placed in the hands of Mr. Ware the written
+obligation I had given Captain Blackler, and which was found among
+the papers of Captain Adams.  This document, which had caused me
+much anxiety, Mr. Ware returned, along with the twenty dollars I
+had previously paid towards my passage.  He also thanked me for
+the assistance I had rendered Mr. Ricker, and added something more
+substantial, in the shape of twenty-five dollars, "as a trifling
+compensation," he said, "for my services," although, for obvious
+reasons, he was not aware of their full extent.  He suggested
+that, if I designed to follow the sea, I could remain in the brig
+on pay, and that the command of the vessel would be given to Mr.
+Ricker.  He further said he would represent my conduct in a
+favorable light to Mr. Gray, which he did, and years afterwards it
+was remembered to my advantage.  Mr. Ricker himself urged me to
+remain, and occupy the situation of mate.  It was in vain I
+assured him that my practical knowledge of seamanship was limited,
+and what little I once knew I had forgotten during my residence in
+the West Indies.  He said he knew me better than I knew myself; he
+would excuse all imperfections, as he had seamanship enough for
+both, and to spare.  I was not convinced; I had also some
+misgivings in regard to the weakness which he had exhibited, amid
+danger and death, on the passage through the Caribbean Sea; and I
+feared he had contracted a habit which would render any man unfit
+for a situation involving great responsibilities, not only in
+relation to property but also of life.  Nevertheless, I gladly
+embraced the opportunity to remain on board for a time.  The brig
+would probably be several weeks in port, and my future course
+could be guided by circumstances.
+
+The moral condition of New Orleans at this period   the year 1816-
+1817   was deplorable.  For vice and immorality, it doubtless bore
+away the palm from every city in Christendom or heathen lands.
+Gaming houses, and vile, disgusting receptacles of vice and
+infamy, were thickly scattered over every part of the city.
+Midnight brawls and robberies were frequent; and hard-fought
+fisticuff encounters, sometimes between two individuals, and
+sometimes between two squads of half a dozen on-a-side, were
+taking place on the levee, or in its neighborhood, almost every
+hour in the day.
+
+The population of the city was of the most heterogeneous
+character.  Frenchman and Spaniards, of all complexions, native-
+born citizens, formed the basis.  To them were added a thin
+sprinkling of Yankees, mostly enterprising business men; and an
+influx of refugees, adventurers, smugglers, pirates, gamblers, and
+desperate scoundrels from all parts of the world.  The large
+number of ships waiting for freight, and constantly arriving,
+furnished a formidable body of sailors, many of them old men-of-
+war's men, who, keeping themselves well primed with whiskey, were
+always ready for a set-to, a riot, or a row.  And if we add to
+these the boatmen of the Mississippi,   not only those who came
+down the river in flatboats, but that numerous class, now extinct,
+of hardy, powerful, reckless, quarrelsome fellows who managed the
+KEELBOATS, the only craft that could stem the current of the
+Mississippi before the introduction of steamboat navigation,   it
+will be easily imagined that vice struggled hard to exercise full
+and uncontrolled dominion over the capital of Louisiana.
+
+Ineffectual efforts were made to repress tumult and establish
+order.  The police regulations were in a wretched condition.  The
+police officers were more inclined to look after the blacks than
+the whites; and the calaboose was filled every night with
+unfortunate darkies, who in a humble way were imitating the vices
+of the more enlightened CASTE.  When symptoms of a serious riot
+appeared, the military were called out.  On more than one
+occasion, the sailors on one side to the number of two or three
+hundred, and the Kentucky and Tennessee boatmen of equal or
+superior numbers on the other, were drawn up in battle array, and
+commenced a desperate contest with hard knuckles, bludgeons, and
+missiles of every description,   revolvers and bowie-knives had
+not at that time been introduced into such MELEES,   when the
+military made their appearance, and the belligerents were
+dispersed.
+
+Fighting on the levee became an established custom, and was
+sometimes resorted to as an exciting pastime.  If a couple of "old
+salts" quarrelled under the stimulus of a glass of grog, instead
+of bandying words, and pouring into each other a broadside of
+vulgar epithets, they quietly adjourned to the levee and took it
+out in hard knocks, and after having fought with desperation, and
+pummelled each other out of all resemblance to human beings, they
+would go on board their ship and cheerfully attend to their
+duties.
+
+One day I watched with no little interest a pitched battle between
+a wooden-legged sailor and a French stevedore.  The sailor,
+although he was wanting in one of his limbs, was said to be a
+valuable seaman   one who would never shrink from work of any
+kind.  He would go aloft in a gale or in a calm, and lend a hand
+at reefing or furling as promptly as any man in the ship.  His
+wooden leg was so constructed, with iron machinery, at the
+extremity, that he could stand on a ratline or a hawse without
+difficulty.  The stevedore, who was a powerful fellow, expected to
+make short work of the cripple, taking it for granted that Jack
+could not stand firm on his pins; and indeed, almost at the
+beginning of the combat, the man with the timber toe was capsized.
+His opponent, flushed with success, and disregarding the rules of
+honorable warfare, determined to give Jack a drubbing while he lay
+sprawling on his back.  But as he approached him with mischievous
+intent, his fist clinched and his eyes flashing fire and fury,
+Jack watched his opportunity, and gave him two or three kicks with
+his iron-shod wooden leg in swift succession.  They were so
+strongly and judiciously planted that the astonished Frenchman was
+compelled to measure HIS length on the ground, from which, to is
+great pain and mortification, he was unable to rise, and wooden-
+leg hobbled off with the palm of victory.
+
+The most savage and revolting contest which I witnessed was a
+"rough and tumble" fight between two Mississippi boatmen.  One was
+a young man, of slight frame, and rather prepossessing appearance;
+the other was a burly, broad-shouldered ruffian from Tennessee.
+The quarrel originated in a gaming house, over a pack of cards,
+and the parties adjourned to the street to settle the matter in
+regular style.  But few words were interchanged.  They grasped
+each other firmly by the waist, and after a severe struggle for
+the mastery, both fell heavily to the earth, when the real battle
+commenced.  In a close, but not loving embrace, they rolled over
+and over again.  No blows were given; they seemed to be clutching
+at each other's faces, but their motions were so quick, violent,
+and spasmodic that I could not see how their hands were occupied.
+The struggle was soon over; the Kentuckian released himself from
+the relaxed grasp of his prostrate antagonist, and sprang to his
+feet.  He looked around on the spectators with a smile of triumph,
+then entered the miniature Pandemonium, apparently without having
+received injury.  His vanquished opponent was assisted to his
+feet.  He was groaning, quivering in every limb, and manifesting
+symptoms of insufferable agony.  I pressed forward, eager to
+ascertain what injury he had received in this strangely conducted
+combat, when, to my great horror, I saw the blood streaming from
+his cheeks, and shuddered as I witnessed other and unmistakable
+proofs of a successful attempt at gouging.
+
+Nor were these pugnacious propensities, which seemed epidemical,
+confined to the lowest classes in society.  They were manifested
+by those who moved in a higher sphere, and who, looking with
+contempt on vulgar fisticuffs and gouging, settled their
+difficulties satisfactorily according to the established rules of
+the DUELLO   with sword, pistol, or rifle.  Hostile meetings on
+the levee, below the city, where the population was sparse, and no
+impertinent interruptions could be apprehended, were frequent.
+Indeed, the intelligence, some pleasant morning, that a duel had
+just been fought, and one of the parties lamed in the sword arm,
+or scientifically run through the body with a small sword, or
+bored through the cranium with a pistol-bullet, excited little
+attention or remark, excepting among the friends and relatives of
+the parties.
+
+One duel, however, was fought while I was in New Orleans, which,
+being attended with some unusual circumstances, caused
+considerable talk.  The principals were a French gentleman and a
+lieutenant in the navy of the United States.  A dispute occurred
+in a billiard room; the Frenchman used some insolent and
+irritating language, and, instead of being soundly drubbed on the
+spot, was challenged by the naval officer.  The challenged party
+selected the small sword as the medium of satisfaction,   a weapon
+in the use of which he was well skilled.  The American officer was
+remonstrated with by his friends on the folly of fighting a
+Frenchman, a noted duellist, with his favorite weapon, the small
+sword; it was rushing on certain death.  But the challenge had
+been given, accepted, and the weapons agreed on; there could be no
+change in the arrangement; and, indeed, the Yankee, who was a
+fine, determined-looking young fellow, showed no disposition to
+"back out."
+
+"I may fall in battle," said he, "by the sword or shot of a brave
+Englishman, but never by a thrust from a spit in the hands of a
+spindle-shanked Frenchman! Dismiss all fears on my account; I will
+give this 'PARLEZ-VOUS FRANCAIS' a lesson in fighting he little
+dreams of."
+
+They met on the duelling ground at the appointed hour.  There were
+more spectators present than usual on such occasions.  The
+Frenchman affected to treat the matter with indifference, and made
+some frivolous remarks which excited the laughter of his
+countrymen.  Indeed, the chances seemed to be a hundred to one
+against the lieutenant, who could handle with terrible effect a
+cutlass or a boarding-pike, but was almost a stranger to a weapon,
+to excel in the use of which, a man must be as loose in the joints
+as a posture maker, and as light in the heels as a dancing master.
+And yet there was something in the cool, resolute, business-like
+bearing of the Yankee which inspired his friends with some
+confidence in his success; and they watched the proceedings under
+an intense degree of excitement.
+
+The parties took their places, assumed the proper attitudes, and
+crossed swords.  The Frenchman grinned with anticipated triumph.
+It was clear that, confident in his skill, and richly endowed with
+feline propensities, he intended to amuse himself and the
+bystanders for a few minutes, by playing with his intended victim.
+His antagonist, however, stood firm, until the Frenchman, with a
+nimble caper, changed his ground, when the officer bounded
+forward, got within the guard of his opponent, and with a thrust,
+the force of which nothing could withstand, sent his sword,
+apparently, through the body of the Frenchman to the hilt!
+
+The poor fellow was hurled to the ground by the violence of the
+shock, and supposed to be mortally wounded.  That he was not
+KILLED outright was certain, for, owing to surprise and grief at
+this unlooked-for result, the fear of death, or extreme physical
+pain, he discharged a volley of screams that could be heard a mile
+off, writhed and twisted his body into all sorts of shapes, and
+manufactured, gratuitously, a continuous and ever-changing series
+of grimaces, for which the younger Grimaldi would have pawned his
+cap and bawble.
+
+The wails and contortions of the wounded man were such, that it
+was some time before his friends and a surgeon who was present
+could examine his condition, which appeared deplorable enough.
+Indeed, an examination seemed hardly necessary, unless for the
+purpose of gratifying curiosity, as the wretched man, amid his
+groans and screams, kept repeating, with much emphasis and pathos,
+the terrible words, "JE SUIS ASSASSINE!  JE SUIS ASSASSINE!  (I am
+killed!  I am killed!)  But as his voice grew stronger, instead of
+weaker, at every repetition of the phrase, doubts were entertained
+of his veracity; and a surgical inspection showed beyond cavil,
+that he was laboring under a hallucination, and asseverating with
+needless energy what was not strictly true.
+
+That he was not killed on the spot, however,   impaled on a rapier
+as an unscrupulous entomologist would impale a beetle,   could
+hardly be regarded as the fault of his opponent.  The thrust was
+directed to the place where the centre of the body of the
+Frenchman should have been, BUT IT WAS NOT THERE.  The sword
+passed only through the muscles of the abdomen, from the right
+side to the left, perforating his body, it is true, and grazing,
+but not injuring, the larger intestines.  The wound in itself was
+not a dangerous one, although the disturbance among the bundle of
+integuments threw the discomfited duellist into almost mortal
+agony, and led him to believe he was a dead man, while
+experiencing in his own person a liberal share of the pain he was
+so ready to inflict on others.
+
+
+Chapter XXXIII
+A VOYAGE TO HAVRE
+
+The Betsey remained some weeks at the levee at New Orleans before
+Mr. Ware could fix upon a voyage.  In the mean time Ricker
+remained on board as master of the brig; and for several days
+after our arrival in port his habits were correct and his conduct
+without reproach.  Gradually, however, he strayed from the paths
+of sobriety.  He was of a social turn; frank, honest cheerful, and
+liberal-minded.  He possessed other valuable traits of character;
+was a good sailor and a skilful navigator, but he could not resist
+the fascinations of the intoxicating cup.
+
+Intemperance disqualifies a man from employments where the
+exercise of cool judgment, and clear, undisturbed reasoning
+faculties are required; and no person addicted to habits of
+intemperance should be intrusted with the command of a ship, where
+property to a large amount and lives of incalculable value, are,
+as it were, given into his hands.  If records of disasters could
+be faithfully (here the page is torn and cannot be read) and
+unfolded, we should have an appalling list of easy (torn page)
+quarrels, mutinies, and shipwrecks which have (torn page) caused
+by intemperance on the part of the (torn page.)
+
+Mr. Ware, the commercial agent of Mr. Gray (torn page) the brig
+had seen Ricker more than once intoxicated which roused his
+suspicions that all was not (torn page) unlucky afternoon he found
+him in a helpless condition, which convinced him that Mr. Ricker,
+notwithstanding his excellent qualities, was not a (torn page)
+could be safely given the control of (torn page) the high seas.
+
+Ricker was mortified at losing, through (torn page) the command of
+the brig.  He (torn page) however, of harsh or unjust treatment on
+the part of Mr. Ware; and consented to remain as mate, promising
+to refrain entirely from the use of spirituous liquors.  The
+command was given to an officer in the United States navy,
+Lieutenant Rapp; and in this way I was ousted from the berth which
+Ricker was so desirous I should fill.  There was no longer a home
+for me in the cabin of the Betsey, and I shipped as an ordinary
+seaman on board the brig Casket, of New York, Captain Mott, bound
+on a voyage to Havre.
+
+The Casket was a large and handsome brig, and besides the captain,
+mate, boatswain, and cook, carried six hands before the mast.  The
+chief mate was a hard-looking customer, somewhat advanced in
+years, rough in his manners, and profane and coarse in his
+language.  But the captain was a fine-looking man, about thirty
+years old, rather dignified and reserved.  His appearance spoke
+volumes in his favor, and the crew who joined the ship in New
+Orleans rejoiced in this opportunity of shipping in a fine vessel,
+with a whole-souled captain, and bound on a European voyage!
+
+Before we reached the Gulf of Mexico, however, the (torn page)
+sang a different tune.  They found the mate more (torn page)
+unreasonable, and every way disagreeable, if (torn page) than he
+looked; and the captain evidently re- (torn page) sailor as a
+piece of machinery to be wound up (torn page) for the performance
+of certain duties, but (torn page) human attributes.  Whether a
+heart beat (torn page) bosom, and his head was furnished with
+(torn page) Mott knew not, neither did he care.  The (torn page)
+of any one of the crew were never (torn page) If a man was sick
+and incapacitated (torn page) was told, with an oath, to "bear a
+hand (torn page) not be skulking in the forecastle;" and (torn
+page) his duties, he was regaled with stern (torn page) language,
+and sent upon missions at times, and under circumstances, which
+showed that Captain Mott thought a few sailors, more or less, in
+the world, were of no manner of consequence.
+
+In former days every Yankee shipmaster was not a live, wide-awake,
+pushing, driving, web-footed Jehu, who disregarded fogs, was
+reckless of collisions with ships, fishing vessels, or icebergs,
+and cared little whether he strained the ship and damaged cargo,
+provided he made a short passage, as is the case in this
+enlightened age when "Young America" is in the ascendant.  An "old
+fogy" was occasionally met with, who, being well paid for his
+services by the month, prided himself more upon the STRENGTH of
+his ship's sailing than her rapidity.  This appears from the
+following scene which once took place on board a Boston ship:
+
+
+
+Captain Jarvis was lying in his berth, dreaming of a long passage
+and plenty of money at the end of it, when he was awakened by the
+unwonted noise of water under the counter, giving rise to the
+suspicion that the officer of the watch was carrying more sail
+than was expedient.  He jumped out of his berth, rushed up the
+steps, popped his head out of the companion-way, and sharply
+exclaimed,
+
+ "Mr. Popkins, heave the log."
+
+Mr. Popkins:  Ay ay, sir!
+
+Captain Jarvis:  How fast does the old ship go, Mr. Popkins?
+
+Mr. Popkins:  Nine knots, sir!
+
+Captain Jarvis:  Nine knots!  Julius Caesar!  I am astonished.
+Take in some of that canvas immediately, Mr. Popkins.  I can't
+afford to sail so fast as nine knots.
+
+Mr. Popkins: Ay, ay, sir.
+
+The studding sails were hauled in, and the main royal and fore and
+mizzen top-gallant sails furled.
+
+Captain Jarvis:  How fast does she go now, Mr. Popkins?
+
+Mr. Popkins (after heaving the log.)  Seven knots and a half, sir!
+
+Captain Jarvis:  Too fast, sir   much too fast!  Take in more
+sail.  Why, Mr. Popkins, we shall be at the end of our voyage
+before we know it, at this rate.
+
+Mr. Popkins, with the men of the larboard watch, went to work, and
+in a few minutes the ship was running along quietly under her
+three topsails, jib, and spanker.
+
+Captain Jarvis: Throw the log, Mr. Popkins.
+
+Mr. Popkins: She is now going six knots, sir.
+
+Captain Jarvis: Six knots!  Very well   very well indeed, Mr.
+Popkins.  Always bear in mind that we are not paid by "the run,"
+or the voyage; and six knots is very fair sailing between man and
+man.  It is better to sail strong than to sail fast.  Don't let me
+catch you running off at the rate of nine knots again.  Stick to
+six and you will do, otherwise there will be no wages coming to us
+when we get home.  Do you hear, Mr. Popkins?
+
+Mr. Popkins, gruffly, (he had a sprinkling of Young America in his
+composition.)  Ay, ay, sir!
+
+
+
+Although Captain Mott was sometimes deficient in judgment, and on
+more than one occasion narrowly escaped losing overboard some of
+the crew, or wrecking the brig, he was, nevertheless, an excellent
+seaman, managed his vessel with skill, and navigated her with
+unusual correctness.  Not being paid by the month but by primage
+on the freight, he was a veritable "driver," and lost no
+opportunity to urge his vessel ahead, even at the risk of starting
+a butt, springing a spar, or losing a man.  Being always willing
+to work, on hand in any emergency, and never shrinking from
+danger, I was often a sufferer from his go-ahead instincts, as
+well as from his arbitrary mandates and unfeeling disposition.
+And were it not that there is,
+
+"A sweet little cherub which sits up aloft,
+And looks out for the life of poor Jack,"
+
+I should have become food for fishes long before we reached the
+longitude of the Western Islands.
+
+One afternoon, before we left the Gulf Stream, a thunder squall
+arose from the south-east.  It came towards us rapidly, as if
+borne on the wings of the Genius of Storms.  Its whole aspect was
+"wicked" in the extreme, and every man on board knew that prudence
+required sail to be taken in and preparations made for the
+reception of the tornado.  The captain was on deck, but the
+boatswain unfortunately remarked, "That squall looks like an ugly
+customer, sir, and it will soon be necessary to shorten sail."
+
+This remark, made in the most respectful manner, roused the
+captain's ire.  He chose to consider it an unauthorized and
+impertinent interference on the part of the petty officer; the
+squall, as well as the boatswain, was denounced in language not
+often heard in a drawing room, and both were consigned to a hotter
+place than the craters of Mauna Loa.
+
+The clouds spread over the zenith, the thunder rattled as if it
+would rend the welkin, the wind began to blow in short-lived
+puffs, as if making preparations for a regular "blowout;" the men
+were stationed at the halliards, fore and aft, waiting with
+intense anxiety the result, and the captain was pacing the
+quarter-deck, looking as savage as a hungry bull-dog, and
+determined to show that he was not to be frightened by squibs, but
+would carry sail in spite of the squall.
+
+At that time we were under courses, topsails, top-gallant-sails,
+and a main-royal; our fore-royal mast was snugly stowed alongside
+the long-boat on deck, where, at that tempestuous season, the main
+one should also have been.  The order at length was given, "Clew
+up the main-royal!  Let a hand go aloft and furl it."
+
+The sail was clewed up, and in a few seconds I was clinging to the
+sliding gunter royal mast, and gathering in the canvas, while the
+captain was denouncing me for a lubber, for not accomplishing
+impossibilities.  The lightning was flashing around ne, and the
+peals of thunder were deafening; the rain was beginning to fall,
+and the wind to blow with alarming violence, before I could spill
+the sail and pass the gaskets.  Suddenly I heard a tumultuous
+noise as of the roar of angry breakers.  I cast my eye to
+windward, and beheld the whole surface of the sea covered with a
+sheet of snow-white foam.  At the same moment I heard the voice of
+the captain, who was now really alarmed, in a tone which could be
+heard above the roar of the hurricane, shouting, with frantic
+energy, "Hard up your helm!  Hard up, I say.  Let go all the
+halliards, fore and aft!  Haul up the mainsail!  Lower away that
+try-sail!  Clew down the top-gallant sails!  Why don't you put the
+helm hard up?"
+
+I was sensible of the danger of my situation, standing on "the
+hounds" of the top-gallant mast, and almost within reach of the
+truck, while the brig, with all sail set, was exposed to the fury
+of this terrible thunder gust.  Obeying an irresistible impulse to
+take care of "number one," I slid down the topmast cross-trees,
+caught hold of the weather top-gallant backstay, and came on deck
+much faster than I went aloft!  My feet had hardly touched the
+deck when a gust struck the brig with a fury which I have seldom
+seen surpassed.   It rushed upon us like an avalanche on a hamlet
+in an Alpine valley.  Halliards, sheets, and tacks were let go,
+but the yards were still braced up, and the sails could not be
+clewed down.  Before the vessel could get before the wind her lee
+side was buried in the water.  The conviction seized every mind
+that a capsize was inevitable, and there was a general rush
+towards the weather gunwale, and a desperate clutching at the
+shrouds.  At this critical moment the main-topmast snapped off
+like a pipe stem, just above the cap, and carried with it the
+fore-top-gallant mast.  The brig righted, fell off before the
+wind, scudded like a duck, dragging the broken spars, and her
+sails torn to ribbons; and a cold shudder crept over me when I
+thought of the appalling danger from which by sliding down the
+backstay, I had so narrowly escaped.
+
+When we struck soundings off the English Channel, the word was
+given to the boatswain to bend the cables and get the anchors over
+the bows.  The wind was blowing hard from the northward, with
+violent squalls and a short head sea, and Captain Mott showed no
+disposition to reduce the canvas in order to lighten our labors,
+but carried sail and drove the vessel as if he was running from a
+pirate.  The brig frequently plunged her knight-heads under water,
+deluging every man on the forecastle with sheets of salt water.
+In the mean time the captain, and also the mate, dry-shod on the
+quarter-deck, grinned, and winked at each other, at witnessing our
+involuntary ablutions, with the mercury at the freezing point,
+while subjected to this severe course of hydropathic treatment,
+and doing work which, under ordinary circumstances, could have
+been accomplished in a few hours.
+
+Reefing a topsail in a gale is an evolution simple in itself; and
+when the sail is placed by the skill of the officer of the deck in
+a proper condition, the work aloft can be accomplished in five
+minutes, even by a bungling crew.  But Captain Mott seemed to take
+pleasure in placing obstacles in the way of the ready performance
+of any important duty, and held the crew accountable for any
+extraordinary delay.  Thus in reefing topsails, the men were
+sometimes half an hour on the yard, endeavoring in vain to do a
+work which his own obstinacy or ignorance rendered impracticable,
+and he, all the while, cursing and swearing at the crew for their
+inefficiency, in a style which would have done credit to the
+leader of a press-gang.
+
+The men, generally, were good seamen, and able and willing to do
+their work, and with proper treatment would have proved first rate
+sailors; but it is an old and true saying that bad officers make a
+bad crew.  When a man's best efforts are rewarded with abuse, it
+is unreasonable to expect that he will perform his various duties
+with alacrity and cheerfulness.  It was customary, at that period,
+for rum to be served out to the crew, and the minimum allowance,
+in nearly all American vessels, was a glass of rum at dinner, with
+an extra glass during exposure to inclement weather, or when
+engaged in unusually fatiguing labors.  This extra glass was
+generally served out by the steward at the companion-way, and the
+men were summoned to partake of this indulgence by a call to
+"splice the main brace."
+
+Captain Mott, however, refused to furnish the crew of the Casket
+with the usual daily allowance of grog.  This refusal, there was
+reason to believe, was caused, not by a commendable wish to
+promote temperance, and break up habits of intoxication, but from
+a desire to gratify a surly and unamiable disposition, and deprive
+the men of an enjoyment which they highly prized.  With such a
+captain and mate, and regulations of the most arbitrary and
+stringent character, it may be imagined that the grumbling at hard
+treatment, and the muttered curses against the inmates of the
+cabin, were neither few, nor far between.
+
+But the captain, while he refused the DAILY allowance of grog, did
+not deem it advisable to withhold the usual allowance on Saturday
+night, when every true sailor loved to meet his shipmates around a
+flowing bowl, and pass a happy hour in lively conversation,
+singing sea songs, spinning yarns, and drinking with heartfelt
+emotion the toast of all others the dearest and best
+"Sweethearts and Wives."
+
+"Of all the nights that grace the week,
+There's none can equal this;
+It binds the mind in friendship's bonds;
+It heightens social bliss.
+For though far distant from the land,
+At home our thoughts shall be,
+Whilst, shipmates, joining heart and hand
+Hail Saturday Night at Sea."
+
+No one can imagine the tender, thrilling, and holy associations
+which cluster round those words, "Sweethearts and Wives," unless
+he has been long separated from those he loves, a wanderer on a
+distant sea.  That Saturday night toast came home to the bosom of
+every man who carried a heart beneath a blue jacket.  The
+gallantry of the sailor has often been spoken of.  His devotion to
+woman is proverbial.  With few opportunities to mingle in female
+society, he can, nevertheless, truly estimate its value, and
+appreciate its advantages.  Indeed, I have known old sailors,
+whose rough and wrinkled visages, blunt and repulsive manners,
+coarse and unrefined language, were enough to banish gentle Cupid
+to an iceberg, exhibit the kindest and tenderest feelings when
+speaking of WOMAN, whom in the abstract they regarded as a being
+not merely to be protected, cherished, and loved, but also to be
+adored.
+
+I shall never forget the well-deserved rebuke I once received from
+a sturdy old tar for an ill-timed comment on a woman's personal
+appearance.  It was in St. Salvador.  The captain of a Portuguese
+ship was going on shore accompanied by his wife.  The boat crossed
+the bows of the ship I was in; the feminine garments attracted the
+attention of all hands, who suspended their work and gazed upon
+the charming object as if they beheld something more than mortal.
+As the boat passed onward, and we resumed labors which the glimpse
+of a petticoat had interrupted, with a want of gallantry which I
+trust is foreign to my character, for which I cannot even now
+account, and of which I was afterwards heartily ashamed, I
+casually remarked, "Well, there's nothing wonderful about her,
+after all; she's HOMELY enough, in all conscience!"
+
+"Hawser," said my old shipmate, in a solemn and impressive manner,
+gracefully waving the marlinspike which he held in his hand,
+"THERE IS NO SUCH THING IN NATER AS A HOMELY WOMAN!"
+
+"Saturday Night" in olden times was not only devoted to
+reminiscences of home and affectionate associations, but was also
+the time selected for indulgence in the songs of the forecastle.
+After the usual toast, "Sweethearts and Wives," had been drunk
+with enthusiasm, some one of the crew was called on for a song,
+and the call was responded to without affected reluctance; and the
+beams, carlines, and bulkheads of the old forecastle rang again
+with stirring songs or ballads poured forth from manly and musical
+throats, in praise of beauty, descriptive of life at sea,
+recording deeds of heroism, or inculcating lessons of patriotism.
+
+To these songs of the forecastle, sung on the land as well as on
+the ocean, in beauty's bower as well as in the sailor's sanctuary
+or the stifled cabin, in days when accompaniments to vocal music
+were not considered necessary, when the full melodious sound of
+the human voice, THE NOBLEST MUSIC IN THE WORLD, was not
+strangled, drowned, or travestied by the noise of the everlasting
+piano, played with artistic skill   to these spirit-stirring songs
+of the forecastle was commerce indebted for many of the finest and
+best sailors ever sprinkled with salt water.
+
+The well known songs of "the Bay of Biscay," "Black Eyed Susan,"
+and "Cease, Rude Boreas," once listened to with emotion and
+delight at the cottage fireside, or the fashionable drawing room,
+and the many songs long since forgotten of a similar character,
+written by salt water poets, and sung by mariners at home and
+abroad, have transformed enthusiastic and adventurous landsmen
+into sailors by scores, as by the touch of an enchanter's wand.
+Dibdin did more to man the "wooden walls of old England" with
+brave and effective men than all the press-gangs that ever
+infested the banks of the Thames.
+
+There was one man on board the Casket who, more than all others,
+aided to keep the crew cheerful and happy.  He was the life and
+soul of the forecastle.  Not all the oppressive and unfeeling acts
+of the captain, and rough and unjust treatment from the mate,
+which would naturally excite indignation and a discontented
+spirit, such as sometimes will lead to insubordination on the part
+of the crew, followed by the free use of handspikes, rope's ends,
+and manacles, on the part of the officers, could repress the
+spirits of Jonas Silvernail, spoil his jokes, or lessen the volume
+of his hearty and sonorous laugh.  Jonas was a native of Hudson,
+in New York; a young, active, intelligent sailor, who, always
+good-humored, was never more happy than when singing a sea song,
+spinning a merry yarn, or playing off a practical joke.  Jonas was
+one of those jovial mortals who seemed determined to make sure of
+present enjoyment, and let the future take care of itself; to bask
+in the sunshine of life, while others despondingly wilt in the
+shade.
+
+Good humor is contagious; and it was owing to the cheerful,
+contented spirit, infused among the crew of the Casket by
+Silvernail's example, that they forbore from insolent
+remonstrances, and wisely resolved to bear the ills they had,
+rather,
+
+"Than fly to others which they knew not of."
+
+Such a man in the forecastle of a ship   and in my seafaring days
+such men were not rare   is a treasure.  He lightens the labors of
+a crew, adds to the harmony and happiness of all on board,
+shortens a passage, and, as a natural consequence, promotes the
+interests of the owner.
+
+On one occasion, however, Silvernail's fondness for fun threatened
+to disturb the harmony which was wont to reign in the forecastle.
+Among the crew was a big, clumsy Dutchman, through whose thick
+cranium no joke could penetrate, and whose feet were of
+proportions as huge as his head, each resembling, in size and
+shape, a Brazilian catamaran.  The men conversing one day of the
+dangers of the seas, and the best means of preserving life in
+cases of shipwreck, or when accidentally falling overboard, Hans,
+who cherished a strong attachment to his own dear person,
+expressed a regret that he had no cork jacket, by whose aid he
+could float above the waves.
+
+"Be under no concern on that account," remarked Jonas.  "If you
+were in the water, a cork jacket would be of no more use to you
+than a pair of curling tongs to Cuffy, the black cook.  But don't
+try to swim.  TREAD WATER lustily with those mud scows (pointing
+to his feet) and you will never go to the bottom."
+
+"You just let my foot alone," said Hans, his face glowing with
+indignation.  "You are always poking fun at my foot, and I don't
+half like it.  My foot is one very good foot, (holding it up, and
+swaying it backwards and forwards;) just fit to kick an impudent
+vagabone with and teach him better manners."
+
+"That may be true," said Silvernail, with a provoking grin; "but
+if you should chance to miss the vagabone, as you call him, YOUR
+FOOT WOULD FLY OFF!"
+
+This, and the loud laugh from his shipmates, with which it was
+attended, was more than even the phlegmatic Dutchman could bear.
+He made a furious pass at Jonas with his much-abused foot, which,
+if it had taken effect, would have demolished the joker in a
+twinkling.  But Jonas stepped aside, caught the ponderous foot in
+his hand, and the next moment Hans was sprawling on his back.  He
+arose, breathing guttural but incomprehensible denunciations
+against his tormentor, who escaped from  his clutches by nimbly
+running up the ratlines to the foretop, where he could safely
+indulge his merriment over the wrath of the Dutchman.
+
+I was often amused at the ingenious manner in which Jonas managed
+to get over a difficulty.  One day when, with the wind abaft the
+beam, blowing a strong breeze, we were carrying a main-topmast
+studding sail, the boatswain very properly undertook to get up a
+preventer-brace on the weather main yard-arm.   A rope was
+procured, which had already been considerably worn, and the
+boatswain expressed some apprehension that it was hardly strong
+enough for the service required.  "O," said Jonas in an off-hand,
+decided manner, "it will hold on until it breaks; and if it was
+ever so strong it could do no more."
+
+The boatswain appeared favorably struck with the unanswerable
+logic embraced in the remark, and made no further objection to the
+rope.
+
+On this voyage I had one source of pleasure, of an elevated
+character, which was denied to the rest of my shipmates.  This was
+my attachment to books.  Before I left New Orleans, I purchased a
+variety of second-hand volumes; a miscellaneous collection, which
+enabled me to pass many pleasant hours on our passage to Havre,
+and at the same time lay in a stock of information which might
+prove of great value at a future day.
+
+In books I found biographies of good men, whose example fortified
+my mind against the temptations to vice and immorality, which
+beset the sailor on every side.  They furnished me with an
+interesting occupation in an idle hour, acted as a solace for
+disappointment, and a faithful friend and consoler in anxiety and
+trouble; inspired me with a feeling of emulation, and bade me look
+forward with hope.  Many is the hour when, after a hard day's
+work, or an exciting scene of peril or suffering, by the dim light
+of a tallow candle, or a lamp manufactured by my own hands, while
+others were lamenting their hard fate, or pouring out their
+indignation in unavailing grumblings, I have, while poring over a
+book, lost all sense of unhappiness, and been transported far away
+to other and happier scenes; sometimes exploring with Barrow the
+inhospitable wastes of Africa; accompanying Christian on his
+journey to the Celestial City; sympathizing with the good Vicar of
+Wakefield in his domestic misfortunes; sharing the disquietudes of
+Rasselas in the "Happy Valley;" tracing, with almost breathless
+interest, the career of some ancient hero whom Plutarch has
+immortalized, or lingering over the thrilling adventures and
+perils of "Sindbad the Sailor."
+
+A sailor before the mast, as well as the inmates of the cabin, has
+many hours on every voyage, which may be and should be, devoted to
+reading and study.  When a resident of the forecastle, I have by
+my example, and by urgent appeals to the pride, the ambition, and
+good sense of my shipmates, induced them to cultivate a taste for
+reading, and awakened in their minds a thirst for information.
+Some of these men, by dint of hard study, and a determination,
+even at a late day, to shake off all profligate habits, and be
+something more than a common sailor, qualified themselves for a
+different station, and eventually became respectable shipmasters
+and merchants.
+
+We lost one of our crew overboard, on this passage, in a manner
+somewhat singular.  He was an Italian, called Antonio, and
+remarkable for a love of cleanliness   a priceless virtue, when
+not carried to excess.  He was continually washing his face and
+hands, as if to get rid of impurities communicated by the
+atmosphere.  One Sunday afternoon, with a strong breeze on the
+quarter, the brig was reeling it off at the rate of eight or nine
+knots, and a rough and turbulent sea was helping her along.
+Notwithstanding the wind was three or four points abaft the beam,
+Captain Mott insisted on carrying main-topmast and middle
+staysails, and occasionally when the vessel was a little off of
+her course, the main-topmast staysail sheet, which was fastened to
+a cleat in the main deck, would give a "slat," with great
+violence.  Antonio had just left the helm, and, according to his
+usual custom, proceeded to draw a bucket of water from alongside,
+in which to immerse his face and hands.  But while he was
+stooping, in the very act of performing his ablutions, the brig,
+through the inattention of the helmsman, was run off her course
+nearly before the wind, the staysails were becalmed and the main-
+topmast staysail sheet, that is, the rope which kept the sail in
+its proper position, give a terrible jerk, caught the unfortunate
+Italian behind, lifted him from his feet, and actually tossed him
+over the gunwale.  The thing was so sudden, he had not time to
+struggle, or even to scream, as he sank beneath the billows, while
+the brig swept onward, leaving him far astern.  The cry, "A man's
+overboard!" was instantly raised by those who witnessed the sad
+event.  One man sprang into the weather main shrouds in order to
+keep an eye on the poor fellow who became a martyr to cleanliness.
+The helm was put down, the brig rounded to, and sails laid aback.
+But attempts to rescue him were fruitless.  He was not seen after
+he struck the water.
+
+After having been about forty-five days at sea, we got sight one
+morning of "the Caskets," in the middle of the English Channel,
+about thirty miles west of Cape LaHogue, and on the following day
+entered the harbor of Havre, the seaport of Paris, situated at the
+mouth of the Seine.
+
+
+Chapter XXXIV
+THE GENERAL ARMSTRONG
+
+Nothing remarkable happened during our stay in Havre, excepting an
+unpleasant affair in which our good-humored shipmate, Jonas
+Silvernail, played a principal part.  The master of an English
+brig, an ignorant man, but excessively arrogant and presuming, one
+day took some of our men to task on the quay, accusing them of
+having taken a portion of his crew to a grog-shop, where they
+plied them with liquor until they were drunk, and then left them
+alone in their glory.
+
+Jonas, in behalf of the crew of the Casket, stoutly but
+respectfully denied the correctness of the statement, so far as
+himself or his shipmates were concerned, and was about making an
+explanation, which must have been satisfactory, when he was
+interrupted by the excited Briton, who not only gave him the lie
+direct, but went so far as to define, in coarse and profane
+language, the particular character of the lie.
+
+Jonas, although a model of subordination on shipboard,
+nevertheless possessed the spirit of a man, and would not brook
+abuse or insolence from any one who had no rightful authority over
+him.  His eye sparkled, his lip quivered, and his fingers
+convulsively contracted, while he remarked, in a tone somewhat
+emphatic, "When a blackguard gives a gentleman the lie, he is, of
+course, prepared to defend himself!"
+
+Acting upon this supposition he levelled a blow at the
+Englishman's face, which laid his cheek open to the bone, and
+stretched him on the wharf in double-quick time, as flat as a
+halibut!
+
+Here was a pretty business!  The affair looked serious for Jonas,
+as the Englishman swore vengeance against the Yankee ruffian, if
+there was any law or justice among a frog-eating people!  Jonas
+was arrested, but by the kind agency of Mr. Beasley, the American
+consul, he was relieved from restraint on payment of a moderate
+fine.  The choleric Briton was taught a valuable lesson, and in
+all likelihood put a curb on his tongue ever afterwards when
+talking to strangers, especially if the stranger happened to be a
+Yankee!
+
+After having discharged our cargo of cotton, we sailed from Havre
+in ballast.  We encountered a strong head wind in the chops of the
+Channel, and were beating about for several days.  One night we
+were steering a course about north-north-west, under single-reefed
+topsails, courses and spanker, with the wind at west, while the
+fog was so thick that the jib-boom could hardly be seen from the
+forecastle, and supposed ourselves at least thirty miles to the
+southward of the Scilly Islands.  Jonas and myself, who were
+walking the main deck, while the boatswain was leaning lazily
+against the quarter rail, and the captain and mate were sleeping
+in their berths below, were startled by a dull, moaning sound,
+which, ever and anon, seemed to come up from under the lee bow.
+The noise became more distinct.  "What can it be?" said I,
+alarmed.
+
+"I know it now," exclaimed Jonas.  "It is the ROTE of the breakers
+dashing against the rocks, and we must be lively, or we shall soon
+be in kingdom come.  Boatswain!" shouted he, "Breakers!  Breakers
+ahead!  Call up the captain!" and hastening forward he made such a
+noise on the forecastle as to rouse out all hands, who rushed on
+deck marvellously lightly clad, but prepared to encounter some
+mighty evil.
+
+The captain was awakened by the word "breakers," a word which
+sounds ominous in a sailor's ears, and was on deck in a trice.  He
+heard the rumbling noise, the character of which could not be
+mistaken.  "Ready about!": he screamed.  "Stations, men!  Hard
+down the helm!"
+
+The brig came up into the wind, the sails shivered, but owing to
+the head sea or some other cause, she would not come round, and
+soon gathered stern way.  But captain Mott was a good seaman.
+"Brace round the head yards!" he exclaimed.  "Lower away the
+spanker peak!"
+
+The brig, by the action of the helm, the head sails being thrown
+aback, fell off rapidly on her heel, and soon gathering headway,
+barely cleared the dark and rugged cliffs of St. Agnes in the
+north, which now, as well as the powerful beacon light by which
+they were surmounted, broke through the dense fog.
+
+It was a narrow escape.  Fifteen minutes more would have carried
+us among the sunken rocks and ledges which are piled together in
+admirable confusion on the southwest side of the Scilly Isles, and
+the vessel and all hands would have been among the things which
+were.
+
+The wind came round to the eastward on the following day, and we
+shaped our course across the Atlantic, bound for Savannah, whither
+we arrived, without the occurrence of any remarkable incident,
+about the first of May, 1817.
+
+Having passed a couple of months in Savannah a few years before, I
+was aware from personal inspection of the wretchedly low character
+of the sailor boarding houses in that city; and I shuddered at the
+idea of passing the few days or weeks of my sojourn in Savannah at
+one of these "omnium gatherums" of intemperance and iniquity.
+
+I gave to my shipmates such a graphic but faithful description of
+the sailor boarding houses in Savannah, that the boatswain of the
+brig, with Jonas Silvernail and William Jones, agreed to join me
+in trying to secure quarters of a character somewhat more
+respectable than the dens of iniquity frequented by sailors.  We
+flattered ourselves there would be no difficulty in finding such a
+boarding house as we wished, knowing there were many mechanics at
+that time in Savannah, temporary residents, who were accommodated
+with board in well-regulated families at a reasonable rate, and we
+saw no reason why we should not be treated with equal favor.
+
+Accordingly, the day after our arrival in port, having received
+our discharge, we carefully removed from our hands all stains of
+tar, rigged ourselves out in our neatest apparel, put on our most
+sober and demure faces, and started off on a cruise after a
+boarding house.  We had received some desultory information from
+persons we had fallen in with about the wharves, which in a
+measure influenced our course.
+
+We were not particularly successful in our quest.  The simple fact
+which we could not deny, that "WE WERE SAILORS," was sufficient to
+bar every door against our entrance.  It was in vain we
+represented ourselves as remarkably staid and sober sailors,
+possessing amiable dispositions, not given to liquor or rowdyism,
+and in search of quiet quarters in a respectable family.
+
+To all this the one fatal objection was opposed, "WE WERE
+SAILORS," and of course could not reasonably expect to be received
+into any respectable house.  No faith was given to our professions
+of sobriety.  The term "sailor" in the minds of those good people
+was synonymous with "blackguard" or "drunken vagabond."  It
+comprehended everything which was vile or wicked.  After applying
+at more than a dozen different places, and finding the estimate of
+a sailor's character every where the same, and that exceptions to
+the general rule in this case were not allowed, we reluctantly
+abandoned our exploring expedition, disgusted and mortified at
+finding such unfounded prejudice existing against sailors, whom WE
+not only believed to be human beings, and entitled to rights,
+privileges, and indulgences as such, but a class of men which
+actually included many worthy, honest, well-behaved individuals,
+as well as those of an opposite character.  We could not but doubt
+the policy as well as justice of a line of conduct which represses
+every effort on the part of seafaring men to cultivate a self-
+respect, and elevate themselves in the scale of society; a line of
+conduct which is calculated to thrust them contemptuously back,
+and plunge them deeper in the slough from which, perhaps, they are
+striving to emerge.
+
+In those days there was no "Mariner's House" or "Sailor's Home"
+established in our large seaports by true philanthropists for the
+benefit of seamen, where this useful but too long neglected and
+condemned class might find a quiet, well-regulated, and
+respectable house, with its doors thrown open to receive them.
+
+We returned, crestfallen and disheartened, to the brig, and passed
+another night in the forecastle; and the next morning, being
+compelled to find an asylum on shore, we inspected several of the
+sailor boarding houses, with a view to select the least
+objectionable for our temporary home.  There was little room for
+choice.  The landlords were all swaggering foreigners; their rooms
+were filled with a dense effluvia arising from a combination of
+odors, in which the fumes of tobacco and rum constituted a
+prominent part; and drinking grog, playing cards and dominoes,
+swearing, quarrelling, and fighting seemed to be the principal
+occupation and amusements of the main portion of the boarders.
+
+Such were the scenes I was destined to witness in Savannah; such
+were the men with whom I was compelled to associate; such were the
+temptations to which I was subjected, and which few could pass
+through unscathed; such were MY "schools and schoolmasters" in
+early life.
+
+After much hesitation and many misgivings, we finally established
+our quarters at the sign of the "General Armstrong," which was
+kept by John Hubbard, a tight little Irishman, a regular "broth of
+a boy," illiterate, not being able to write his name, with a
+tongue well steeped in blarney, with a conscience as elastic as a
+piece of India rubber, and a consummate adept in the art of
+wheedling a sailor out of his money.
+
+The sign which was placed conspicuously over the door of this
+boarding house was a popular one, and well calculated to attract.
+It was not intended to represent General Armstrong of
+revolutionary memory, the avowed author of the treasonable
+"Newburg Letters," but the American privateer of that name, riding
+at anchor, and in the act of battling with the British boats in
+Fayal.  Hubbard had been a petty officer in the privateer, and
+prided himself on the part which he took in that memorable affair,
+and on which he dearly loved to dwell, to the great admiration of
+his half-drunken auditors.
+
+The General Armstrong privateer was a brig belonging to New York,
+mounting a battery of eight long nines and a twenty-four pounder
+amidships.  The brig, a remarkably fast sailing vessel, was
+commanded by Samuel C. Reid, a young and gallant sailor, who
+displayed much courage, activity, and skill in harassing the
+enemies of his country on the high seas, and had been successful
+in capturing many valuable British ships.
+
+While cruising off the Western Islands in the autumn of 1814, the
+privateer being short of water, to procure a supply put into Fayal
+on the morning of the 26th of September.  On the afternoon of the
+same day three English ships-of-war arrived, anchored at the
+entrance of the harbor, and received from the pilots and fishermen
+intelligence that the far-famed American privateer General
+Armstrong was then in port, and lying beneath the guns of the
+fortifications.
+
+Captain Reid, witnessing the arrival of these ships, did not
+consider himself altogether safe from attack.  He knew that his
+vessel was particularly obnoxious to the British, who would be
+likely to disregard neutrality laws, spare no pains, and overcome
+almost any scruples in order to insure her destruction; also, that
+Portugal was a feeble power, which existed only by the sufferance
+and protection of Great Britain.  Therefore Captain Reid, instead
+of relying on international law as a barrier against aggression,
+determined to rely on himself and the brave men with him; and when
+the British ships appeared in the offing, he commenced making
+vigorous preparations for defence.  As soon as it was twilight he
+commenced warping his vessel nearer the shore.  This manoeuver was
+seen from the decks of the English squadron, which consisted of
+the Plantagenet ship-of-the-line, the Rota frigate, and the
+Carnation gun-brig; and four boats were immediately sent off,
+filled with armed men, who pulled directly towards the privateer.
+
+But Captain Reid was watching the movements of the enemy.  He
+ordered his men to pause in their labors, and stand ready to give
+their visitors a warm reception.  When the boats arrived within
+speaking distance, he hailed, but received no answer; the boats
+pulled on in gloomy silence.  He hailed again, but there was no
+reply, but the men redoubled their efforts at the oars.  Captain
+Reid, aware there was no time to be lost, hailed a third time,
+ordering the boats to keep off, or he would fire into them.  The
+boats kept on.  The word was given to "FIRE," and a volley of
+musketry was poured into the densely crowded boats, causing great
+confusion and killing and wounding a large number of the crews.
+The fire, however, was returned by the British, and the first
+lieutenant of the privateer was severely wounded and one man was
+killed.  After a sharp, but severe contest, in which the enemy
+made desperate attempts to get alongside, the boats hauled off and
+returned to their respective ships.
+
+Captain Reid knew this was only the beginning of the drama.  He
+encouraged his men, and got in readiness for a more serious
+engagement.  He moored his vessel close to the shore, loaded his
+large guns to the muzzle with grape and canister, and every musket
+with bullets and buckshot.  His men were all on deck ready and
+eager to meet the foe.
+
+The moon had risen, and lighted up the bay, so that objects could
+be distinctly seen at a considerable distance.  And soon after
+midnight, twelve boats, carrying nearly four hundred men, and
+armed with carronades, swivels, and blunderbusses, as well as
+muskets, pistols, and cutlasses, left the squadron and pulled
+directly for the privateer.  The crisis was at hand, and although
+the brave commander of the privateer knew that his vessel must
+eventually fall into the hands of his unscrupulous enemy, he
+determined to defend her to the last.
+
+A fierce and desperate engagement ensued.  As soon as the boats
+came within range, they were greeted with the contents of "long
+Tom;" and the nine pounders also faithfully performed their work.
+The guns were served with almost incredible skill and activity,
+and aimed with the nicest precision.  The fire was returned by the
+boats, although it was evident that some of them suffered severely
+from the effects of the first broadside.  Others, however, dashed
+alongside, with the expectation of carrying the privateer by
+boarding; but here, again, they were disappointed.  Pistols and
+muskets flashed from every porthole, and boarding-pikes and
+cutlasses, wielded by strong hands, presented a CHEVAUX-DE-FRISE
+which the enemy could not overleap.  The carnage was terrible; the
+contest lasted over half an hour, and resulted in the total defeat
+of the British, who, with bull-dog ferocity and obstinacy,
+although foiled in their desperate effort to take the privateer,
+were unwilling to abandon the enterprise, and were shot and hewn
+down by scores.  Only three of the officers escaped; several of
+the boats were destroyed, and two of them, after the action, were
+found alongside the brig, literally filled with the dead and
+dying!
+
+The boats which survived the conflict, crushed and discomfited,
+pulled slowly back to their ships, bearing with them many of the
+wounded.  Of the four hundred who left the ships an hour and a
+half before, full of health, high in spirits, and eager for the
+battle, hardly one hundred and fifty returned unharmed.
+
+The attack on the boats by Captain Reid and his brave men was so
+sudden and overwhelming, that the enemy, notwithstanding the
+convulsive efforts of a few, seemed incapable of making any
+effective resistance.  Instead of being the attacking party, their
+efforts were mainly confined to ineffectual attempts to defend
+themselves.  Thus, on the part of the Americans, the loss in the
+two engagements was only two killed and seven wounded.  One of
+those who fell was Mr. Williams, of New York, the second
+lieutenant.  The first and third lieutenants were among the
+wounded.  Thus, early in the action Captain Reid was deprived of
+the services of his most efficient officers, but he was equal to
+the emergency, and his cool and intrepid conduct secured the
+victory.
+
+On the following morning, soon after daybreak, the Carnation gun-
+brig was hauled in within point blank gun-shot, and opened a fire
+on the General Armstrong; but the gallant commander of the
+privateer, being determined to submit to no other than a superior
+force, returned the fire with his long twenty-four pounder so
+effectually, boring the brig through and through at every shot,
+that she was soon glad to haul off to avoid being sunk at her
+anchors.  Preparations were now making to bring in the frigate;
+and aware that to prolong the contest would be worse than useless,
+Captain Reid ordered the brig's masts to be cut away, a hole blown
+through her bottom, and with all his men, trunks, chests, and
+baggage, took to his boats and safely reached the shore.  They had
+not been landed fifteen minutes when the dismasted sinking vessel
+was boarded by the British boats without resistance, and
+immediately set on fire.  Such was the fate of the General
+Armstrong privateer!
+
+It is perhaps not strange that, before my shipmates and myself had
+been a week at the boarding house, around whose attractive sign
+clustered such patriotic associations, Downes, the boatswain of
+the Casket, and Jones both became acclimated to the noxious
+atmosphere redolent of alcohol and other disgusting compounds,
+succumbed to the temptations by which they were surrounded, and
+drank as much grog, were as noisy and unruly, and as ready for a
+quarrel as any dissolute old Irishman in the whole circle of Jim
+Hubbards' household.  Indeed the boatswain, a young fellow
+possessed of many excellent qualities, and who had made a
+resolution to reform some bad habits in which he had indulged, got
+drunk before he had been three days an inmate of the
+establishment, quarrelled with an English sailor, fought with him,
+was severely whipped and furnished with a couple of magnificent
+black eyes.  So true is the sentiment, beautifully expressed in
+the language of the poet,
+
+"Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
+As to be hated needs but to be seen;
+But seen too oft, familiar with the face,
+We first endure, then pity, then embrace."
+
+The generality of Jim Hubbard's boarders were what may be
+technically termed "a hard set."  Among them were many foreigners,
+who seemed to have been the off-scourings of their native
+countries, and whose manners and morals had not been improved by
+the peculiar discipline and lessons in ethics they had become
+familiar with on board English men-of-war or Patriot privateers.
+In truth they were a band of roistering blades, and by day and by
+night, when not dead drunk, were restless, noisy, vociferous, and
+terribly profane.  Flush with their money, and acting from
+generous impulses, they would urge a stranger to drink with them
+in good fellowship, and if the invitation was declined, were
+equally ready to knock him down or kick him into the street, as
+unworthy the society of good fellows.
+
+Whole crews came to the house, from long voyages, with pockets
+overflowing with cash.  They were received with smiles of welcome
+by Hubbard, and the treasures of his bar were placed before them.
+At the proper time they were told by their obliging landlord that
+it was a praiseworthy custom among new comers to "treat all
+hands."  Then commenced a course of unrestrained dissipation,
+which was not interrupted so long as their money held out.  They
+became uproarious, and took a strange pleasure in enacting scenes,
+which should never be witnessed out of Bedlam.  But as their money
+diminished their landlord gave them the cold shoulder; their love
+of frolic and fighting was sensibly lessened, and their spirits at
+last fell to zero on being told by their sympathizing host, who
+kept a careful watch over their finances, and kindly aided them in
+spending their money by making fictitious charges, and exacting
+double prices for what they actually had, that THEIR CASH WAS ALL
+GONE; that it was not his custom to give credit, and the sooner
+they found a ship, and cleared out, the better.
+
+Such, I am sorry to say, was the character of most of the sailor
+landlords in "days lang syne."  And notwithstanding the efforts
+which have since been made to elevate the condition of the sailor,
+and provide him with a comfortable house on shore, I greatly fear
+the race is not extinct; and that Jack, even in these days, often
+becomes the prey of one of these crafty, plausible, smiling,
+unprincipled scoundrels, who hands him a bottle of rum with one
+hand and picks his pocket with the other; who, under the guise of
+friendship, bears towards the sailor the same kind of affection he
+is prepared to expect from the man-eating shark which is seen
+prowling round a ship.  If he falls into the clutches of either,
+he is sure to be taken in and done for.
+
+But among Jim Hubbard's boarders, there were a very few of a
+different character from those I have described; some who kept
+sober, and had a due regard to the rules of propriety.  These,
+sometimes, sought to restore order out of chaos, but soon
+abandoned the attempt as a bootless task, and bowed submissively
+to the storm whose force they could not arrest.  Among these was a
+young man named Catlin.  He was rather below than above the medium
+size, but had a broad chest and a muscular frame.  He was
+evidently a thorough sailor; his countenance was open and
+intelligent; he was quiet and unobtrusive in his manners, and
+often seemed disgusted with the unruly conduct of the major part
+of the boarders, some of whom had been shipmates with him in a
+former voyage.  Catlin was troubled with an impediment in his
+speech, and it was doubtless owing to this, as well as to his
+sober habits, that his voice was seldom heard amid the vocal din
+which shook the walls of the General Armstrong.
+
+One morning a large ship arrived in Savannah from Boston, with a
+choice crew, consisting of the boatswain and ten fine-looking,
+athletic young men.  After the ship was made fast at the wharf,
+and the decks cleared up, the crew received permission to go
+ashore; and, neatly rigged and headed by the boatswain, a splendid
+looking, symmetrically built native of Connecticut, who stood six
+feet two inches in his stockings, and wore a feather in his hat
+like a Highland chieftain, they paraded through several of the
+streets of Savannah, singing, laughing, and cheering, bent on a
+regular frolic.  They occasionally stopped at hospitable houses,
+where "for a consideration" they could be accommodated with liquor
+to assuage thirst and enliven their already lively spirits.
+
+It was about nine o'clock in the evening when this jovial crew
+came to Jim Hubbard's boarding house, entered the public room, and
+called for something to drink.  Some of these men were disposed to
+be quarrelsome, and were insolent to the landlord; clearly wishing
+to provoke a fight; and a considerable number of the boarders
+instantly threw off their jackets, ready to take the part of their
+host.  The parties being nearly equal, there was a very distinct
+prospect of a neat little row, or a regular pounding match.
+
+Just as the parties were coming to blows the boatswain interposed,
+requesting his shipmates to keep quiet and close their clamshells;
+and then in an arrogant and defiant tone, stretching himself to
+his full height, he exclaimed, "If there is any fighting to be
+done here, I am the man to do it."  And, with a dash of that
+spirit of chivalry which animated the Paladins of old, he added,
+"I challenge any man in the house to step into the street, and
+face me in a regular boxing match."
+
+His large stature, big whiskers, insolent tone, and menacing
+gestures were calculated to inspire awe, and those who had shown
+themselves most eager to take part in the MELEE, shrank
+instinctively from the idea of meeting this son of Anak in single
+combat.  But Catlin, the meek-looking, quiet, inoffensive,
+stuttering Catlin, who had been an attentive looker-on without
+evincing any disposition to take part in the proceedings no sooner
+heard the challenge, so vain-gloriously given, than he bounded
+from his seat in a corner of the room, and stood before the
+doughty champion.
+
+"I ca-ca-ca-nt stand th-th-at," said Catlin, his eyes flashing
+with indignation.  "I am your m-m-man!"
+
+The affair became interesting.  A ring was immediately formed in
+front of the boarding house, into which the champions of the
+respective parties, denuded of all unnecessary covering, and each
+attended by his second, entered.  The crew of the ship, the
+boarders of the General Armstrong, and the inmates of various
+boarding houses in the vicinity, formed quite a numerous body of
+spectators.  The combatants very properly dispensed with the
+absurd custom of shaking hands before they came to blows.  After
+glowering at each other for a moment, they went vigorously to
+work.  The boatswain seemed determined to demolish his puny
+antagonist at once by some well-directed blows, and might possibly
+have succeeded if the blows had taken effect.  But Catlin parried
+or avoided them with surprising skill and agility, until the
+boatswain losing patience, grasped his antagonist in his sinewy
+arms, and after a brief struggle, Catlin was thorn heavily upon
+his back.
+
+He rose from the earth, like a second Antaeus, with renewed vigor,
+and when the boatswain attempted to repeat the operation, Catlin
+dealt him a blow in the body which fairly lifted him from his
+feet, and, doubling him up, dropped him motionless on the ground.
+
+By the aid of his second, the boatswain was soon again on his
+feet.  The fight was renewed, and continued with but little
+cessation for fifteen or twenty minutes, during which time Catlin
+had been twice thrown, but had received no visible injury; and the
+boatswain's features had been knocked out of all shape, and he had
+been several times felled to the earth by the terrible blows given
+by his antagonist.  His endurance was wonderful; he submitted to
+his pounding like a hero, but he was rapidly losing strength; was
+evidently suffering much from pain, and another round would
+probably have finished the fierce contest, crowned Catlin with the
+victor's wreath, and led to a general tumult and row, when some
+new actors entered on the scene and changed the order of the
+performances.
+
+These actors appeared in the guise of a squad of police officers,
+the city patrol, who had received intelligence of the row.  They
+broke through the ring, without regard to ceremony, and made a
+dash at the men who were striving so hard to maul one another.
+The boatswain unable to resist or flee, was easily captured, and
+also his second.  But Catlin, having heard the cry of "the watch!
+the watch!" as these vigilant preservers of the public peace broke
+through the ring, gave his antagonist a parting blow which he long
+remembered, forced his way through or leaped over the dense throng
+which obstructed his progress, and with the speed of a race horse
+rushed into the house, and almost before the officers of the law
+were aware of his escape, he had donned his garments, and without
+a scratch on his person, mingled unsuspected with the throng of
+spectators.  The boatswain, notwithstanding the woeful plight he
+was in, for he was dreadfully punished, was marched off to the
+guard house, accompanied by his faithful second, and on the
+following day was mulcted in an exemplary fine for disturbing the
+peace.
+
+The most singular battle between two-legged brutes that I ever
+beheld, was fought one day between two stout negroes in the
+neighborhood of my boarding house in Savannah.  They had cherished
+a grudge against each other for some time, and accidentally
+meeting, a war of words ensued, which attracted a crowd of
+spectators, who kindly used all possible efforts to induce them to
+break the peace, in which charitable enterprise they finally
+succeeded.
+
+Much to my surprise, and greatly to the amusement of the
+bystanders, the darkies made no use of their fists, neither did
+they grasp each other by the waist, or resort to the worse than
+savage practice of gouging.  They retreated from the spot where
+they had been standing, until the space between them would measure
+some ten or twelve paces, a good duelling distance, and then
+instead of throwing tomahawks or javelins at each other's heads,
+or discharging bullets of lead from the mouths of pistols or
+blunderbusses, they bowed down their heads, as if overcome with
+humility, and rushed at each other with inconceivable fury.
+
+Like knights of ancient days, they met half way in the lists; but
+instead of shivering their spears right manfully, their heads came
+in contact, like a collision between two locomotives, making a
+noise like a clap of thunder.  As they rose from the ground from
+which they were both thrown by the violence of the shock, fire
+seemed actually to flash from their eyes, and they shook their
+heads from shoulder to shoulder for several seconds, apparently to
+know if all was right within.
+
+The result being satisfactory, they retreated a short distance,
+not so far as at first, and again tried the terrible experiment of
+seeing which head was the hardest.  After giving several of these
+practical illustrations of the noble art of butting, in a fashion
+that would have cracked, crushed and demolished the thickest
+craniums belonging to the Caucasian family, but which seemed to
+produce little effect on these hard-headed sons of sires born on
+the banks of the Niger, one of the belligerent parties watched an
+opportunity when his opponent was off his guard, dexterously
+evaded the favor intended for him, and drove his own head with
+tremendous force against the bosom of his antagonist.
+
+This of course finished the engagement, for the poor fellow was
+thrown backwards with violence to the ground, where he remained
+for some time senseless, while the grinning victor received the
+congratulations of his friends.
+
+
+Chapter XXXV
+VOYAGE TO GOTTENBURG
+
+I passed nearly three weeks in Savannah at Jim Hubbard's boarding
+house, mingling freely with the different characters who
+frequented that establishment, making my observations on men and
+things; and if at times I felt humiliated and uncomfortable, I
+solaced myself by the reflection that my sojourn in that place
+would be brief, and in the mean time would open to my inspection a
+new chapter in the book of life; and being constitutionally of a
+hopeful disposition, and seldom troubled with despondency, instead
+of suffering my thoughts to dwell on present perplexities, I
+looked forward to more prosperous scenes and happier times.
+
+At length I found an opportunity to quit Savannah, of which I
+shall ever retain a vivid recollection, by shipping before the
+mast in a good wholesome-looking brig, known as the Joseph, of
+Boston, and bound to Gottenburg, with a cargo of tobacco.
+
+The name of the brig was not a very attractive one, but I had
+learned long before that the names of merchant vessels, being
+bestowed according to the taste, fancy, or whim of the owner,
+should never be regarded as indicative of character, any more than
+the names of individuals.  The first vessel I sailed in, although
+named after the most beautiful and swift fish that swims the
+ocean, the dolphin, was one of the ugliest and dullest sailing
+crafts that ever floated on salt water.
+
+Some ship-owners have a great partiality to animals; hence we find
+noble ships bearing the names of creatures of every description,
+from the most ferocious beast to the most unsightly reptile.
+Other ships carry on their sterns the names of heroes and
+heroines, gods and goddesses; satyrs, nymphs, civilians, poets,
+artists, statesmen, and demagogues; of kings, warriors,
+buccaneers, philanthropists, and brigands.  It is thus we count
+among our ships a Hercules and a Joan of Arc; with Apollos,
+Minervas, Canovas, Hogarths, John Howards, and Robin Hoods, with a
+dense sprinkling of Mammoths and Mosquitoes, Tigers and Humming
+Birds, Whales and Butterflies, Nondescripts, Demons, volcanoes and
+Icebergs.
+
+Some names of ships are ingenious and quaint, others commonplace
+or ridiculous; some are expressed in a phrase consisting of a few
+words, others in a word of one syllable, and sometimes of one
+letter.  Thus we have the INO, and the GUESS; awkward names to
+repeat when asked, "What is the name of that ship?" and the "Catch
+me if you can," and the "What d'ye think 'tis like?" which, by
+their respective godfathers, are thought to be extremely witty.
+Thus, we have the "Ay, ay, sir," the "Tom," the "A No. 1," the
+"Tallyho," and the "W."
+
+During the last war with Great Britain two privateers were built
+by the same individuals, and were intended to cruise in company;
+they were called the "United we stand," and the "Divided we fall."
+A number of years since, three large and elegant ships constituted
+a line of English packets between Liverpool and Charleston, in
+South Carolina.  They were, with commendable taste, named after
+three celebrated poems by three distinguished British poets, the
+"Lalla Rookh," the "Corsair," and "Marmion."  An opulent merchant
+in Rhode Island, having been repeatedly disappointed in his wish
+to have a male descendant, although he was the father of half a
+dozen cherry-cheeked GIRLS, gave the name of "Boy" to a ship of
+his, which was launched a few weeks after the birth of his
+youngest daughter.  This ship was a fortunate one, and a great
+favorite of the owner, but never arrived at man's estate,
+continuing "a boy" to the end of the chapter.
+
+Some ship-owners give to their vessels names of individuals
+distinguished for talent or worth, or who have served their
+country nobly by sea or by land.  Some bestow on their ships those
+names that are dearest to them; those of their sweethearts, their
+wives, their children, brethren, sisters, or friends, as the case
+may be.  Thus we have the "Three sons," "Ten Brothers," "Four
+Sisters," "Sally Anne," "Aunt Hitty," and "Huldah and Judy;" and
+thus we may account for the euphonious name of a vessel, once
+belonging to Windsor, in Virginia, the "Jonathan Jacocks."
+
+Some years ago two Boston merchants were engaged in building a
+ship for the freighting business.  When finished, there was a
+difference of opinion in regard to the selection of a name.  One
+proposed the name of a distinguished southern statesman, Mr.
+Poinsett; the other, an old shipmaster, remonstrated against
+giving the ship the name of any living person; and he carried his
+point.  "The man you mention," said he, with energy and emphasis,
+"is a good fellow enough now; but before two years, he may change
+his politics, or do some other shabby act that will stamp his name
+with infamy.  And then how foolish we shall look when hailing our
+ship.  No!  Never while you live, call your ship, or your child,
+after any living great man; but take the name of some one whose
+excellence is vouched for by a tombstone."
+
+A line of packet ships was projected, and in part established some
+thirty-five years ago, between Boston and Liverpool, by some
+public-spirited merchants.  The project, however, after a time was
+abandoned.  Three new and beautiful ships were built for this
+enterprise, and plied regularly between the two ports; they were
+named the Emerald, the Topaz, and the Amethyst.  If the
+undertaking had been successful, other ships would have been added
+with names of a similar stamp, as the Diamond, the Ruby, the
+Coral, or the Pearl.
+
+The government of the United States has, for many years, adopted
+the plan of naming ships-of-the-line after the different states in
+the Union, the frigates after the rivers, and the sloops of war
+after the principal cities; thus we have the Vermont, Ohio,
+Pennsylvania, etc.,   the Brandywine, Raritan, Merrimac, etc.,
+and the Jamestown, Portsmouth, Hartford, etc.  As no more ships-
+of-the-line will probably be constructed, comparatively few of the
+states will receive the honor originally intended.
+
+The introduction of large clipper built ships, within a few years,
+has been attended with a new and distinct class of names, some of
+which are of a decidedly poetical character, and fill the largest
+speaking trumpet to its utmost capacity; thus the ocean is
+traversed in every direction by "Winged Racers," "Flying Arrows,"
+"Sparkling Seas," "Shooting Stars," "Foaming Waves," "White
+Squalls," "Sovereigns of the Seas," and "Thunder Showers;" and we
+may soon see launched the "Almighty Dollar."
+
+The brig Joseph was commanded by Ezra Allen, a very worthy, well-
+meaning man, of moderate capacity, and an indifferent sailor.  The
+mate, Mr. Bowen, was an energetic, down-east Yankee, with a drawl
+as long as the deep sea line, and almost as much twisted.  He was
+one of those queer mortals, manufactured nowhere but in New
+England, who, restless, inquisitive, ingenious, and bold, can
+readily adapt themselves to any situation, and, under a very raw
+and green exterior, conceal an inexhaustible mine of practical
+good sense and available intelligence on almost every subject.
+Mr. Bowen, although deferential in his deportment towards the
+captain, and ever treating him with a good show of respect, was in
+reality master of the brig; his advice being solicited on the most
+trivial occasion, and every suggestion he made in relation to the
+management of the vessel was eagerly seized upon by the captain.
+Indeed, Bowen was a model of a mate; industrious, economical, and
+faithful, treating the crew with kindness and consideration, yet
+exacting their full quota of labor.  No "bread of idleness" was
+consumed where he had the direction of affairs.  Under his
+management there was perfect subordination, without the necessity
+of resorting to heavers and handspikes as a means of enforcing
+authority.
+
+The second mate, Mr. Conners, was a little, weasel-faced man, of
+uncertain extraction, who had a great idea of his importance, and
+like other mates I have seen, bustled about the decks, as if to
+make up in noise and bustle deficiencies in merit; forgetting that
+a quiet, decided, straightforward manner is more effective in
+enforcing authority, and establishing discipline, than the
+roughest language breathed through iron lungs.  We had but a brief
+opportunity to test his worth, for, on the second day after
+leaving port, Mr. Conners was attacked with illness, stricken down
+and confined to his state-room, where he lay, suffering much pain,
+and uttering moans of a character not unfamiliar to my ears.  The
+chief mate came on deck while I was at the helm, and in answer to
+my inquiries, gave me the particulars of his illness.
+
+"Mr. Bowen," said I, "that man has got the yellow fever, and it is
+a severe case.  It will probably go hard with him."
+
+"Do you think so, Hawser? Said Mr. Bowen, slowly drawling out his
+words; "well, I don't know but you are more than half right.
+There have been some deaths from yellow fever in Savannah already
+this season, and who knows but"   and turning to the captain, who
+at this moment came on deck, carelessly handling his toothpick, he
+exclaimed, "Captain Allen, Mr. Conners has got the yellow fever!"
+
+The captain started back, aghast, at this terrible announcement.
+His face was as white as a sheet.  "The yellow fever, Mr. Bowen!
+God forbid!  What makes you think so?"
+
+"Why," replied the mate, "the symptoms are precisely those of
+yellow fever; and you know there were some fatal cases among the
+shipping before we left Savannah."
+
+"That's true, Mr. Bowen   true as a book.  Perhaps it IS the
+yellow fever.  O Lord!  The yellow fever on board the Joseph!
+What SHALL we do, Mr. Bowen?  Had we not better put back?  Who
+knows whose turn it may be next?  The yellow fever!  Why, this is
+dreadful!"
+
+And the yellow fever it proved to be.  The unfortunate man was
+seized with delirium in less than twelve hours after he was
+attacked, and died on the following day.  The captain was terribly
+frightened, and was half disposed to make for the nearest port and
+resign command of the brig.  But Mr. Bowen succeeded in calming
+his fears, and convince him, that by sprinkling the cabin and
+forecastle freely with vinegar, and burning brimstone, tobacco-
+leaves, and tar several hours in a day for several successive
+days, the infected atmosphere would be rendered pure and
+innoxious.  The experiment was tried; and for more than a week the
+captain, to the great annoyance of the sailors, was every day busy
+in devising means of salutary fumigation, and carrying them into
+effect, or, in other words, trying to drive out one poison by
+introducing another a hundred times more offensive to our
+olfactories, and attended, if possible, with more unpleasant
+associations.
+
+We pursued our course towards Gottenburg; steering nearly in the
+direction of the Gulf Stream, passing to the southward of the Bank
+of Newfoundland, and then standing away to the northward and
+eastward, with a view to pass north of Scotland and enter the
+Skager-rack through the broad passage which separates the Orkneys
+from the Shetland Islands.  On the passage we fell in with the
+little islet, or huge rock, known as Rockal, which lies almost in
+mid-ocean, being about two hundred miles west of the coast of
+Scotland.  This rock is only a few hundred feet in length, and
+rises abruptly to a height eighty or a hundred feet.  It is craggy
+and precipitous, and is the resort of seals, and myriads of birds,
+as osprays, gulls, and gannets, which abound in that part of the
+ocean, and there, undisturbed by the presence of man, lay their
+eggs and rear their young.  Rockal has the appearance, when first
+seen, of a large ship under sail, and is of a dark gray color,
+being covered in some parts, probably to the depth of many feet,
+with birdlime, or guano, the accumulation of ages.  But as this
+rock is exposed to the peltings of the pitiless storms, which are
+frequent in this part of the world, and is subject to the extremes
+of heat and cold, it is possible that the rich beds of guano with
+which it is covered are not of the best quality; besides, as it
+can boast of no bay or nook in which a vessel, or even a boat, can
+ride in safety, but is exposed on every side to the constant
+succession of waves rolling onward eternally across the ocean, but
+not always in the same direction, forbidding the landing of any
+human being on its craggy sides, its treasures, however valuable,
+will probably remain undisturbed forever.
+
+This restlessness of the ocean, creating an undulating surface,
+even during long-continued calms, excites the wonder of all who,
+never having been abroad upon the waters, imagine its surface is
+always smooth and unruffled unless disturbed by a gale of wind.
+This "tramp of the ocean waves" is beautifully described by
+Charles H. Brown, one of the "Bowdoin Poets":
+
+"Roll on, old Ocean, dark and deep!
+For thee there is no rest.
+Those giant waves shall never sleep,
+That o'er thy billowy breast
+Tramp like the march of conquerors,
+Nor cease their choral hymn
+Till earth with fervent heat shall melt,
+And lamps of heaven grow dim."
+
+The next land we fell in with was Fair Isle, which lies about half
+way between the Shetland and the Orkney Islands, being about
+twenty-five miles south of Sumburgh Head, the southern extremity
+of the principal of the Shetland Islands.  Fair Isle, as is indeed
+the case with all these islands which are susceptible of
+cultivation, is inhabited by a rude and hardy race of beings; the
+men being engaged a large portion of the time in the ling and cod
+fishery, which is extensively carried on in this part of the
+world.  Taking advantage of their locality in mid-channel, the
+boatmen from Fair Isle also board vessels which pass to an fro,
+going "north about," and exchange fish and a slender variety of
+vegetables for tobacco and rum; those articles, so unnecessary to
+happiness or comfort, being greedily coveted by the rude and semi-
+barbarous inhabitants of those regions, who also, be it said to
+their credit, will not object to receive a dozen of biscuit, a
+piece of beef or pork, or a goodly portion of any other palatable
+article of food.
+
+We were boarded by two of these boats from Fair Isle, well filled
+with stalwart and sturdy beggars; and dealing with such a man as
+Captain Allen, good natured and wanting in decision and energy,
+their solicitations for favors almost took the shape of peremptory
+demands, and the brig was virtually laid under a heavy
+contribution.  Some of the most bold and importunate visited the
+forecastle, and manifested such an inquisitive and rapacious
+spirit in their quest after tobacco, that we were provoked to
+treat them in a manner most inhospitable, and drive them on deck.
+
+Proceeding across the head of the North Sea, and running for the
+"Naze of Norway," the weather being pleasant and the sea smooth, I
+persuaded Mr. Bowen to throw a fishing-line over the stern and let
+it trail, with the expectation of catching some mackerel.  We
+succeeded in capturing several of those excellent fish, and also
+two or three gar-fish; a kind of fish I have never met with
+elsewhere excepting in the tropical seas.  These gar-fish of the
+North Sea were of comparatively small size, about fifteen inches
+in length, but of most delicious flavor.  Their long and slim
+backbone being of a deep emerald green color, Captain Allen, with
+characteristic sagacity, concluded that these fish were poisonous
+and unwholesome, and banished them from the cabin.  They were
+heartily welcomed in the forecastle, however, their qualities
+fully tested, and the skipper was pronounced the most verdant of
+the two!
+
+Passing the Naze, a high bluff point at the south-western
+extremity of Norway, and then losing sight of the rough,
+mountainous coast, intersected by innumerable arms of the sea,
+called FIORDS, penetrating inland for miles, we crossed the
+Skager-rack and entered the Cattegat Sea, which divides the
+western shores of Sweden from the coast of Jutland, and which is
+about a hundred miles in length and fifty miles in breadth.  We
+soon got sight of Wingo Beacon, a high pyramidal monument, built
+on a rock at one of the entrances of the fiord on which the city
+of Gottenburg is situated, and procured a pilot, who took us
+through a narrow, winding channel among the rocks, into a snug
+haven surrounded by barren islets, and brought the brig to anchor.
+
+Here we were obliged to remain until visited the next morning by
+the health officer; for the quarantine regulations of Sweden,
+although not so vexatious and absurd as in many other ports of
+Europe, were nevertheless very strict.  A case of plague or yellow
+fever was never known in Gottenburg, or in any other port in
+Sweden, yet it was the universal belief among medical men that
+both diseases were contagious, and could be imported in ships from
+the Mediterranean and the West Indies.  Therefore, an elaborate
+code of sanitary regulations was established, and precautions of
+the most useless, yet annoying character to persons engaged in
+commerce, were taken to prevent the introduction of diseases,
+which could not exist an hour in that northern climate.
+
+The health officer, a grave and dignified personage, with a
+formidable posse, was rowed alongside the brig in an eight-oared
+barge.  He asked the question, "Are you all well on board?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+The crew were summoned to the side of the vessel, and their
+phizzes critically examined by the doctor.  We were then ordered
+up the rigging as high as the tops, to exhibit our activity, and
+prove that our muscles were in good working condition.
+
+"Where is your roll of equipage?" asked the doctor.
+
+This document, containing a list of the crew as shipped in Havana,
+and certified at the custom house, after having undergone an
+unpleasant process of purification, was passed to the health
+officer, by the aid of a pair of tongs with legs of extraordinary
+length.
+
+On counting heads, and comparing the actual number of those who
+were anxiously looking over the gunwale with the list of the
+ship's company, that vigilant functionary shook his head.  One of
+the number was missing!  An explanation was demanded.  Captain
+Allen was embarrassed.  He trumped up a clumsy story about a bad
+cold, ill health of long standing, consumption, etc., but
+whispered not a syllable of yellow fever.  He was a poor hand at
+deception; but he might as well have stated the whole truth, for
+as in all places abroad where strict quarantine laws are
+established, if one or more of the crew is missing, it matters not
+whether he died of accident or disease, the health officers take
+it for granted, and insist upon it in spite of evidence to the
+contrary, that he died of plague if the vessel is from the
+Mediterranean, or of yellow fever if from a southern American port
+or the West Indies.
+
+Greatly to the mortification of Captain Allen, and to the loudly
+expressed dissatisfaction of the crew, the brig was ordered to
+remain TEN DAYS IN QUARANTINE.
+
+Nor was this all the trouble and annoyance consequent on the
+deficiency in the "roll of equipage."   Fumigations in the cabin
+and the forecastle, of a character stronger and more disagreeable
+than Captain Allen ever dreamed of, were carried on, under the
+direction of the pilot and a revenue officer, several times a day.
+They were attended with a most inodorous effluvia, and caused such
+a general concert of sneezing and coughing, by night as well as by
+day, that one would have thought influenza, in its most fearful
+shape and with giant power, had seized every man by the throat.
+
+
+Chapter XXXVI
+SANITARY LAWS   MUTINY AND MURDER
+
+Laws for the preservation of the health of a community have been
+established among civilized nations in every age.  And when these
+laws are based on reason and intelligence, they undoubtedly
+subserve a noble purpose.  But the quarantine laws all over the
+world, with some rare exceptions, being the offspring of ignorance
+and terror, are not only the climax of absurdity, but act as an
+incubus on commerce, causing ruinous delays in mercantile
+operations, much distress, and unnecessary expense.
+
+The PLAGUE was formerly universally regarded as a contagious
+disease, and to prevent the horrors which attend its introduction
+in large cities, the most stringent laws have been enacted for
+ages.  But the contagiousness of the plague is now doubted by many
+enlightened physicians.  Whether it be so or not, it never made
+its appearance in countries bordering on the North Sea or the
+Baltic, or on the American continent.  Although many vessels every
+year, almost every month, arrive in our principal ports from the
+Levant, freighted with rags and other articles, constituting a
+medium through which this disease, if contagious, would surely be
+propagated, yet this dreadful scourge of cities, in ancient and
+modern times, has never been brought across the Atlantic.
+
+The small pox is another disease against the introduction of which
+quarantine laws have been established.  That it is contagious
+there is no question; but by the blessed discovery of vaccination,
+this disease, once so dreadful, is robbed of its horrors, and
+rendered as harmless as the measles or the whooping cough,
+insomuch that laws, formerly enacted in different states to
+protect the people from the dangers of the small pox have
+generally been repealed.
+
+The Asiatic cholera, when it first made its appearance in Europe,
+was believed to be contagious.  Quarantine laws, of the most
+stringent character, were adopted to prevent its introduction into
+seaports, and military CORDONS SANITAIRE were drawn around the
+frontiers of nations to shut it out of villages and towns, until
+it was ascertained to be an epidemic disease, the germs of which
+were in the atmosphere, and could no more be controlled than the
+winds which sweep the earth.
+
+The YELLOW FEVER, however, has for many years been the most
+terrible bugbear, and to prevent its introduction into the
+seaports of Europe and the United States has been the chief end
+and aim of the absurd and ridiculous quarantine regulations to
+which I have referred.  It has never been regarded as contagious
+by well-informed men in countries where it is most prevalent, and
+now, in spite of long-existing and deeply-stamped prejudices, it
+is generally admitted, by enlightened physicians, that the YELLOW
+FEVER IS NOT CONTAGIOUS.  NOT A SINGLE WELL-ESTABLISHED FACT CAN
+BE ADDUCED TO SHOW THE CONTAGIOUS CHARACTER OF THE DISEASE, OR
+THAT IT CAN BE CONVEYED IN CARGOES OF ANY DESCRIPTION FROM ONE
+COUNTRY TO ANOTHER.
+
+Persons in good health may leave a port where yellow fever
+prevails, and carry within them the seeds of the disease, and on
+arriving at another port several days afterwards, or on the
+passage thither, may be attacked with the disease in its most
+appalling character, and die; BUT THE DISEASE IS NOT COMMUNICATED
+TO OTHERS.  Indeed, the yellow fever is not so INFECTIOUS as the
+typhus or scarlet fever, which prevails every season in northern
+climes.
+
+When the yellow fever broke out in New York, and caused much
+alarm, nearly forty years ago, the first cases occurred in the
+vicinity of Trinity Church, and until destroyed by a black frost,
+it spread gradually in every direction from this common centre,
+insomuch that the "infected district" was clearly defined and
+marked out from day to day.  Persons, who had been in the
+"infected district," and left it for other parts of the country,
+were subsequently attacked by this disease hundreds of miles from
+New York, and died; but not a single instance occurred in which it
+was communicated to others.  And so in the West Indies: the yellow
+fever sometimes rages fearfully in one city or town, while in
+another, on the same island, not a single case exists, although
+there is a daily and unobstructed intercourse between the two
+places.  And whenever, owing to some mysterious agency, it makes
+its appearance, precautions to prevent its extension seem useless.
+It overleaps all barriers, and attacks with equal severity the
+inmates of a palace or a filthy hovel, the captain of a ship in a
+splendid cabin, surrounded with phials and pills, and Jack in the
+forecastle, redolent of tobacco, and destitute of ventilation.
+
+The quarantine regulations in Boston formerly partook of the
+unreasonable and absurd character, which, to a greater or less
+extent, has marked these regulations in all maritime countries.
+Vessels arriving from certain ports where yellow fever was
+supposed to prevail, were not allowed to haul to a wharf and
+discharge cargo, or hold any direct personal communication with
+the city, until the expiration of twenty-five days after leaving
+port.  Thus a vessel from the West Indies, having perishable
+commodities on board, might reach Boston in twelve days, the
+vessel and cargo in good condition, and every man stout and
+hearty.  But it was supposed that yellow fever might lurk among
+the crew, or lie concealed among boxes of sugars or cigars, and,
+therefore, thirteen additional days were allowed to give it an
+opportunity to escape.  At the expiration of that time, when the
+patience of the men, kept so long in durance vile without the
+shadow of a cause, in sight of their homes, was exhausted, and the
+perishable portion of the cargo in a most unwholesome state of
+decomposition, caused by the delay, the vessel was pronounced
+pure,   in a fit condition to receive PRATIQUE, and allowed to
+haul alongside the wharf, receive visitors on board, and discharge
+cargo.
+
+The reader, inexperienced in the mysteries of sanitary
+regulations, may smile at the absurdity of such proceedings, but
+the system of guarding the public against the horrors of the
+yellow fever, adopted by the health department of Boston, was in
+those days remarkably judicious and indulgent, when compared with
+the regulations in other cities, and which exist at the present
+time, not only on the other side of the Atlantic, but in this
+country.  And, to the credit of Boston, and as an illustration of
+the intelligence of her citizens, it should be recorded that this
+seaport, the principal one in New England, WAS THE FIRST IN THE
+CIVILIZED WORLD TO EXPRESS AN OPINION THAT THE YELLOW FEVER WAS
+NOT CONTAGIOUS, and to repeal those ridiculous, useless, and
+burdensome "quarantine laws," which, originating in panic terror,
+have been instituted from time immemorial, to prevent the
+introduction of plague and yellow fever, and establish in their
+stead sanitary regulations, which are in accordance with the
+dictates of common sense.
+
+Infectious diseases are sometimes caused by the foul air arising
+from a ship's hold, owing to the decomposition of vegetable
+substances in a hot climate, or to an accumulation of filth,
+without ventilation, when crowded with passengers.  The malignant,
+pestilential disease, caused by inhaling this noxious atmosphere,
+often sweeps off portions of the crew and passengers; and those
+who visit a ship under such circumstances, and breathe the
+poisonous gases, even in a northern latitude, are liable to be
+attacked by this fatal disease.  But the ordinary quarantine
+regulations will afford no protection in such a case.  A few
+weeks' delay in quarantine after the crew have become acclimated,
+and fumigations, and sprinklings with acids in the cabin, until
+all hands are pickled or smoke-dried, will not purify the ship's
+hold, prevent the exhalation of pestilential gases, and arrest the
+progress of infection.
+
+Then may we not hope that the expensive quarantine establishments,
+with sweeping, indiscriminating regulations, founded on prejudice,
+and continued through fear and ignorance, a disgrace to this
+enlightened age, and a dead weight on commercial enterprise, will
+soon be abolished?  In their stead let a board of health be
+instituted, with an office where business can be transacted at all
+hours.  Let the master of every vessel which arrives in port, and
+on board of which deaths have occurred during the passage, report
+the same at the health office, that judicious measures, such as
+are adapted to the particular case, may be resorted to, in order
+to protect the community or individuals from inconvenience or
+danger when INFECTIOUS diseases exist.
+
+Time passes slowly in quarantine.  The officers of a ship are
+generally taciturn, surly, and exacting; and the crew are unhappy,
+discontented, disposed to grumble, and ready to quarrel and fight
+on the most trivial occasions, and often without any occasion
+whatever.  At the expiration of ten protracted days after we let
+go our anchor in the outer harbor of Gottenburg, we were again
+honored with a visit from the health officer.  The crew manifested
+their vigorous physical condition by another clamber up the
+rigging.  The officer came on board, shook hands with the captain,
+and congratulated him on being released from quarantine.  The
+pilot took charge of the vessel, the men were ordered to man the
+windlass, which order was obeyed with alacrity.  Faces diminished
+in longitude, and were lighted up with smiles.  The anchor song of
+"Yeo, Heave O," never sounded more musical or inspiring than on
+that occasion.  Sail was made on the brig with magical dexterity,
+and the crew were in fine spirits, jocund, and happy, as we
+thridded the channel extending some ten miles to the city, looked
+with surprise upon the innumerable barren rocks and islets
+scattered around, and entering the strait, surveyed with
+increasing interest and pleasure cultivated fields, and neat-
+looking dwelling houses, and men, women, and children, busily
+engaged in their customary occupations.  We felt that we were in
+the world once more.
+
+Gottenburg is a large and populous city, situated on a plain near
+the extremity of the fiord, about thirteen miles from the
+Cattegat, but almost encircled by steep and craggy rocks, hills,
+and a bold and picturesque scenery, with a fine harbor, the
+entrance to which is easily defended; it is conveniently located
+for the foreign trade of Sweden, and next to Stockholm, has the
+most extensive commerce of any port in the kingdom.  Its exports
+consist chiefly of iron and steel, brought from rich mines nearly
+two hundred miles in the interior, by a well-perfected system of
+inland navigation.  We lay some weeks at anchor in the upper
+harbor, and I had abundant opportunities to visit the city, mark
+its peculiarities and note the character of its inhabitants, who,
+in Gottenburg and vicinity, as in other parts of the kingdom, are
+simple and industrious in their habits, and civil and hospitable
+to strangers.
+
+After our cargo was discharged and a sufficient quantity of iron
+taken on board for ballast, the American consul informed Captain
+Allen that he had a prisoner under his charge, accused of a
+capital crime, whom it was necessary to send to the United States
+for trial, and that the brig Joseph had been selected for the
+honor of conveying the criminal across the ocean.  The captain did
+not appear flattered by this mark of confidence on the part of the
+consul; he ventured a weak remonstrance, but finally submitted
+with a good grace.  Preparations were accordingly made for the
+reception of the prisoner, who had made one of the crew of the
+large clipper schooner Plattsburg, on board which vessel mutiny,
+piracy, and murder had been committed.
+
+The Plattsburg sailed from Baltimore about the 1st of July, 1816,
+bound on a voyage to Smyrna, in the Mediterranean, with a cargo of
+coffee, and $42,000 in specie.  The schooner was commanded by
+William Hackett; the name of the chief mate was Frederick Yeizer,
+the second mate was Stephen B. Onion, and Thomas Baynard was the
+supercargo.  The crew consisted of six persons, all of whom were
+foreigners, and among them were some desperate, hardened ruffians,
+who had learned lessons in villany on board Patriot privateers,
+some of which, under no legal restraint, and responsible to no
+government, were little better than pirates.  The names of these
+men were John Williams a Canadian, Peter Rog a Dane, Francis
+Frederick a Spaniard, Miles Petersen a Swede, William Stromer a
+Prussian, and Nathaniel White an Englishman.
+
+Before the Plattsburg had passed Cape Henry symptoms of
+insubordination appeared among the crew.  One of the men, named
+John Williams, was particularly insolent and troublesome, and was
+chastised by the captain, after which the voyage was quietly
+pursued, and the crew were obedient and apparently contented.  But
+beneath this apparent calm a terrible storm was brewing.  A
+fiendish plan was devised by Williams and Stromer, and agreed to
+by the rest, to murder the officers and get possession of the
+money, which they knew was on board.  They first determined to
+poison the captain, supercargo, and mates, but owing to some
+failure in their calculations, this plan was abandoned.  When off
+the Western Islands, it was determined, after some discussion to
+seize on the officers while they were taking an observation of the
+sun at meridian, and, following the example of the mutineers of
+the Bounty, compel them to embark in the long-boat, and run their
+chance of reaching the shore.  Williams and Stromer provided
+themselves with cords in order to bind the captain, and also with
+weapons to knock him on the head if he should resist; but when the
+time for action arrived, the hearts of their associates failed
+them, and the project was abandoned.
+
+Williams reproached his shipmates for their cowardice.  They were
+not lacking in rascality, but they wanted nerve to carry into
+effect the desperate design of taking possession of the schooner.
+Another consultation was held, and it was concluded that the
+SAFEST proceeding would be to massacre the officers before they
+could have an opportunity to make resistance.  This plan was
+resolved upon, and all the details were carefully arranged, and
+every man had his part assigned him in the fearful tragedy which
+was about to be enacted.
+
+Accordingly about midnight, on the 24th of July, being then but
+little more than a hundred miles to the westward of the Straits of
+Gibraltar, a loud cry was heard from the forecastle, of "Sail, ho!
+Right ahead!"
+
+Mr. Yeizer, the mate, rushed forward to obtain a view of the
+vessel, and on stepping forward of the windlass, was felled to the
+deck by a murderous blow from a handspike in the hands of one of
+the mutineers.  His body was instantly seized upon and thrown
+overboard.  The second mate, who had just been called, hearing the
+cry of "a sail," hastened on deck and was going forward, when he
+was struck a violent blow, and grappled by Williams, who
+exclaimed, "Here is one of the rascals!  Overboard with him!" But
+the captain, alarmed by the cries and trampling on deck, now made
+his appearance, and Williams released his grasp on Onion and
+attacked the captain, who, unsuspicious of any mutinous
+intentions, was unarmed.  He was summarily disposed of, being
+brained by a handspike or heaver, and thrown into the sea.  Onion,
+greatly terrified, escaped down the companion-way, and concealed
+himself in the bread locker.
+
+The mutineers now called upon Mr. Baynard, the supercargo, to show
+himself on deck.  He hesitated, but on being assured that no harm
+was intended, and threatened with instant death if he did not make
+his appearance at once, he passed up the companion-way, and while
+conversing with Williams, was mercilessly murdered by Stromer and
+Rog.
+
+Three of the pirates now entered the cabin in search of the second
+mate, and the question was raised whether his life should be
+spared.  After some debate it was determined that he should not be
+killed, provided he would take an oath to be faithful to their
+interests and aid them in their future proceedings.  Onion, on
+hearing the decision, came out of his hiding-place, took the
+prescribed oath of fidelity, and was admitted a member of the
+fraternity.  As some proper organization for the management of the
+vessel was considered necessary, Stromer was chosen captain,
+Williams's chief mate, and Onion retained his position as second
+mate.
+
+On the morning succeeding this terrible crime, the specie was
+taken from "the run" beneath the cabin and brought on deck.  Each
+man   including Onion and Samberson, the cook, who took no part in
+the outrage   received a share of the money, which was measured
+out in hats and tin pots,   a single share amounting to about five
+thousand dollars.
+
+And now the important question arose to what part of the world
+should they direct their course, in order to sell the vessel and
+cargo and make their escape with their ill-gotten booty; for they
+knew the deed would soon be known and the avengers of blood be
+upon their heels.  They, finally, concluded to shape their course
+to the northward, and enter some obscure port in Norway, where no
+very strict inquisition would probably be made into the character
+of the vessel of their intentions, and from which place they could
+easily find means of proceeding to other parts of Europe.  Onion,
+who was a skilful penman, was directed to manufacture some new
+invoices of cargo and alter other papers in such a manner as to
+deceive, for a time at least, the revenue authorities of such port
+as they might enter; and Williams altered the ship's log-book to
+correspond with the story they had agreed upon.
+
+They arrived at Cleveland, a small port in Norway, about the
+middle of August, and conducted their affairs in such a way as to
+give no cause for supposing anything was wrong, But when Stromer
+expressed a desire to sell the vessel and cargo, without being
+particular in regard to the price, suspicions were excited that
+all was not right; and those suspicions were strengthened by some
+careless remarks of Frederick and Rog after they had been drinking
+freely.  The schooner was accordingly seized and taken possession
+of by the proper authorities, and brought round to another wharf,
+where an investigation took place.  This of course alarmed the
+guilty crew, and before their iniquity was discovered, each man
+took his share of money so dearly earned, and in all haste left
+the shores of Norway.
+
+Williams, Onion, Rog, Frederick, and Samberson embarked in a sloop
+for Copenhagen, where they landed in fine spirits; and under the
+direction of Frederick, who was a native of that city, undertook
+to open a store, and with this object purchased a variety of
+goods.  But it was not long before some circumstances drew upon
+them the attention of the police.  They were arrested, and
+Samberson exposed the whole horrible transaction.  These men were
+thrown into prison, and intelligence of their arrest was sent to
+the American government; but more than two years expired before
+they were brought to this country in the United States ship
+Hornet.
+
+Stromer and White went off together; and Stromer probably
+proceeded to Prussia with his share of the money.  He was never
+discovered by the satellites of justice; but White was
+subsequently arrested and brought to trial.  Petersen, who was a
+native of Gottenberg, returned directly to his home.  He had
+parents in that city of respectable standing, besides brothers and
+sisters.  He told his relatives an ingenious tale to account for
+his prosperous condition, but he was speedily tracked by the
+officers of justice, and one day while enjoying himself with his
+friends, and lavishly spending his money, he was arrested for the
+dreadful crimes of piracy and murder, and thrown into a dungeon,
+where he remained heavily ironed for nearly twelve months, when he
+was transferred to the brig Joseph for conveyance to the United
+States.
+
+
+Chapter XXXVII
+RETURN OF THE WANDERER
+
+We sailed from Gottenburg one morning about the first of
+September, 1817, bound to Boston.  Having been long absent from my
+home without intercourse of any description with my friends and
+relations, and having seen during that period striking
+exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced
+"many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the
+majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more
+to my friends in New England.  I was convinced there were worse
+places in the world than my own dear native land, and far worse
+people than those among whom my lot had been cast in childhood.
+
+It was on a Saturday we sailed from Gottenburg.  It had been
+Captain Allen's intention to sail on the previous Thursday, but he
+was unexpectedly detained.  On Friday morning all the arrangements
+were completed; the brig was ready for sea, the wind was fresh and
+fair, but not a step was taken towards getting under weigh.
+Indeed our worthy captain plumply told Mr. Bowen that NO
+CONSIDERATION COULD INDUCE HIM TO GO TO SEA ON A FRIDAY!  The
+crew, one and all, as well as the mate, were amused at this
+exhibition of weakness, which did not increase the respect for his
+character; for ALL sailors are not superstitious, although they
+are proverbially regarded as such.
+
+Petersen, the prisoner, who was brought on board in irons, bore no
+resemblance in personal appearance to the ferocious, ill-looking,
+big-whiskered ruffian, whose image is conjured up by the mention
+of the word "pirate."  On the contrary he was a gentle-looking
+youth, only nineteen years of age, of a slight figure, pale
+complexion, and a pleasant, prepossessing countenance.  He spoke
+English fluently, and by his conduct, intelligence, and plausible
+representations, soon won the favor of every man on board.  He
+declared that he did not participate in the mutiny; that it was
+planned without his knowledge; that when the murders were
+committed he was asleep in the forecastle, and fear for his own
+life induced him to accept a share of the money and endeavor to
+conceal the crime.
+
+His story was believed by Captain Allen and others, and he was
+relieved from his handcuffs every morning, and allowed to leave
+his quarters in the half-deck and range the vessel, mix with the
+sailors and assist in the performance of the various duties; and
+he showed himself an active, obedient, and intelligent seaman.  He
+often expressed a wish that his trial should take place; he was
+confident of an acquittal, and longed to be once more at liberty.
+
+I may as well state here that the trial of the mutineers of the
+Plattsburg, viz., Williams, Rog, Frederick, Petersen, and White
+took place on the 28th of December, 1818, before the U.S. Circuit
+Court, in session at Boston, Justice Story presiding.  They were
+defended by able counsel, but convicted on circumstantial
+evidence, corroborated by the direct testimony of Samberson and
+Onion.  It appeared on the trial that the mild and amiable-looking
+Petersen was one of the most forward and active of the mutineers.
+It was he who gave the signal for action by crying "Sail, ho!" and
+he subsequently assisted in throwing overboard the mate and
+murdering the captain.
+
+The execution of these pirates was appointed for the 21st of
+January, 1819, but on the ground that the time between the
+sentence and execution, twenty-four days, was too short to allow
+the criminals to make their peace with God, a respite was granted
+until the 18th of February.  On that day they were placed in a
+wagon, and a procession was formed of an imposing character,
+which, after passing through Court Street, State Street, India
+Street, and Milk Street to the Main street, now Washington street,
+proceeded to "the town land on boston Neck," where the execution
+took place in presence of twenty thousand people.
+
+These men died a terrible death, in a strange land, far from their
+homes and kindred.  Although such number witnessed the execution,
+few sympathized with them in their sufferings, for all
+acknowledged that their sentence was just.  Their execution,
+doubtless, acted as an impressive warning to others, and
+restrained desperate ruffians from the commission of desperate
+deeds.
+
+In all ages, crimes of a dark dye when committed on the ocean,
+have been regarded as exhibiting a more depraved character in the
+criminal than crimes of a similar description committed on the
+land.  At sea there are no constables or police officers, no
+magistrates or good citizens ready and willing to aid in
+preserving the peace of society, protecting life and property when
+endangered, and in arresting a rogue or murderer.  For this reason
+laws relating to mutiny, piracy, and murder on the seas are
+punishable with death.  In many atrocious cases it is difficult,
+perhaps impossible, to obtain proof sufficient to convict the
+offender; but whenever a violator of those laws, whether a
+principal or accessory, is arrested, tried, and convicted, THE
+PUNISHMENT SHOULD BE SURE TO FOLLOW.  The certainty of punishment
+is a mighty preventive to crime.  The impulses of that false
+philanthropy which seems to flourish in the present age, can never
+be more injuriously indulged than by persevering and unscrupulous
+efforts to influence the press and rouse public opinion in favor
+of setting aside the verdict of a jury, and snatching a red-handed
+murderer on the high seas from the gallows.
+
+Nothing particularly remarkable occurred during our passage home.
+It was in the season of the year when severe gales are met with on
+the Atlantic, but the brig Joseph proved a good sea boat, tight as
+a drum, and could lie to or scud without danger of being
+overwhelmed by the combing waves.  On this passage a little
+incident occurred off the Orkney Islands, that will convey some
+idea of the dangers to which those are subjected whose home is on
+the ocean.
+
+We were lying to in a gale.  The wind blew fiercely in flaws, and
+there was a high and turbulent sea running.  The brig was at times
+uneasy, and in the pauses of the gale rolled heavily to windward
+as well as to leeward.  Orders were given to send down the fore-
+top-gallant mast.  I hastened with alacrity aloft for that
+purpose, and had reached the cross-trees, when in a lull of the
+tempest, the brig, lying in the trough of the sea, lurched
+fearfully to windward.  I grasped firmly one of the top-gallant
+shrouds above the cross-trees, but the rope being old and decayed,
+parted in the horn of the cross-trees BENEATH MY HANDS.
+
+I clung, with a desperate grasp, to the rope, but was thrown out
+with a jerk in an angle of forty-five degrees with the horizon,
+and when the brig suddenly righted I attained for a few seconds a
+horizontal position, and to an observer on deck must have looked
+not unlike a spread eagle burgee at half-mast.  If I had
+relinquished my grasp at that moment I should have been thrown
+into the sea some thirty feet from the vessel's side, and a full
+period would have been put to the adventures of Hawser Martingale.
+But, notwithstanding the muscles of my arms were severely
+wrenched, I was fortunately able to retain my grasp.  The next
+moment the action of gravitation, together with the roll to
+leeward, threw me back with terrific force against the topmast
+rigging, which I eagerly seized, and then rejoicing at my lucky
+escape from a great danger, and regardless of the bruises I had
+received, I went on with my work.
+
+On the passage homeward I often indulged in reflections in regard
+to my future position in life; and while walking the deck at night
+loved to let my fancy roam and picture castles in the air, which,
+I fondly hoped, might at some future day be actually constructed.
+My highest ambition was to gain, as rapidly as possible, a
+thorough knowledge of my business, procure the command of a good
+ship, and by my own labors, acquire a competence before age should
+weaken the faculties or diminish a relish for society; and then,
+residing in my own house with a small piece of land attached which
+I could cultivate with my own hands, and within a few miles of the
+metropolis of New England, surrounded by a pleasant neighborhood,
+and enjoying domestic happiness in all its purity, gently sail
+down the stream of life.
+
+This was not an extravagant dream.  Yet the chances were at times
+terribly against its fulfilment.  But I never despaired, and fully
+believed that if Providence should grant me life and continued
+health, THE CASTLE WOULD BE BUILT.  In the darkest hours I kept a
+bright lookout ahead, far ahead for the cheerful and safe harbor
+which imagination had so often portrayed.  And the dream has been
+realized almost precisely as it appeared to me in my youthful
+days; and I have  enjoyed for many years, in the retirement which
+my fancy painted, as much happiness as usually falls to the lot of
+man in this checkered life, with a strong hope,
+
+"When the brief voyage in safety is o'er,
+To meet with loved friends on the far distant shore."
+
+About forty days after leaving Gottenburg we reached the Grand
+Bank of Newfoundland, and crossed it in latitude of forty-four
+degrees.  We fell in with many fishing vessels riding at anchor in
+thirty fathoms of water, the hardy crews of which, rigged out in
+their "boots and barvels," were busily engaged in their useful but
+arduous occupation.  When on the centre of the bank, the fog which
+had previously obscured objects at a distance, was suddenly swept
+away, and we counted from the deck seventy-four schooners at
+anchor, besides several which were under sail.
+
+The Bank of Newfoundland is of enormous extent, reaching some two
+hundred and fifty miles into the Atlantic, from the southern part
+of Newfoundland and islands in that vicinity.  Its southern
+extremity is in about forty-two degrees of latitude, and fifty
+degrees west longitude from Greenwich.  The depth of water varies
+from twenty-five to fifty fathoms.  The Bank is in the direct
+track of vessels bound to and from Europe, and many sad disasters
+have occurred to the fishermen, while lying at anchor in rough
+weather in a dense fog.  In some instances they have been run
+down, crushed to fragments, by large ships under full sail, and
+every one of the crew has perished.
+
+The fish on this Bank are chiefly cod, and have been taken in
+incredible numbers by the crews of vessels built and fitted out
+for this purpose, for more than two hundred years; and in times
+past this fishery has proved a certain source of income, and
+sometimes of wealth, to bold and enterprising men.  But for a
+number of years this business has not been so profitable as
+formerly, and not so many vessels have been employed.  It has been
+intimated by evil-disposed persons that the capital stock of the
+Bank is getting reduced, and that it will ere long fail to make
+discounts or pay dividends.  But such rumors are the offspring of
+calumny; the Bank is undoubtedly sound, has a solid bottom, and
+its treasures and resources are inexhaustible.
+
+The fishermen of the Grand Bank, in "days lang syne," belonged
+chiefly to Marblehead and Cape Ann.  They were a bold, hardy,
+sinewy set of men, inured to fatigue and reckless of danger,
+cheerful in their dispositions, impatient under restraint, fond of
+what they considered good living, ready with a joke or yarn on all
+occasions, and not a little inclined to superstition.  Indeed the
+fishing vessels on the Bank, if we are to credit the tales told
+years ago, were often favored by the presence of death warnings,
+mysterious noises, ghosts, and apparitions. Sounds were heard and
+sights seen on board fishing vessels on the Bank, which filled the
+stoutest hearts with fear and wonder, and would even astonish the
+most inveterate spiritualist of the present day.
+
+On shore the fishermen were a jolly set of fellows, social in
+their dispositions, not given to vicious indulgences, but somewhat
+careless of their earnings, regarding their resources as
+inexhaustible as "the fish in the sea."  They married early, made
+kind and affectionate husbands, and were, in almost every case,
+blessed with a numerous offspring; indeed, Marblehead fishermen of
+sixty years of age would remind a person of the Bible patriarchs
+for the number of their descendants.  Their wives, fresh,
+blooming, spirited, and good-humored, were grandmothers at six and
+thirty, great grandmothers at fifty-four, and great great
+grandmothers at the age of seventy-four!
+
+The fishermen were patriotic, too.  They were dear lovers of their
+country and its institutions, and prided themselves on their
+attachment to democracy.  In the war of the revolution the
+citizens of Marblehead and Gloucester, and Cape Cod, no longer
+able to pursue their accustomed vocations, joined the armies which
+fought for freedom, and rendered important services on the land as
+well as on the ocean.  In the latest, and, we trust, THE LAST, war
+with Great Britain, they came forward almost to a man, to assist
+in manning our frigates and privateers; and no class of men
+rendered better services, or could be more confidently relied on
+when deeds of daring were to be performed, than the whole-hearted
+and hard-handed fishermen of Massachusetts Bay.
+
+As a nursery for seamen for our merchant ships in time of peace,
+the fishing business has proved of immense advantage to the
+country, and that policy may justly be regarded as suicidal on the
+part of the national government which would throw barriers in the
+way of its success.
+
+To those who are familiar with the extent and geographical
+position of the Grand Bank of Newfoundland, it may seem
+surprising, perhaps incredible, that fishing vessels have been
+known to seek for it, day after day, in vain.  Yet that such
+occurrences have taken place in "olden times" is an established
+fact.  But to the honor of our fishermen it may be said that such
+blunders in plain navigation have been exceedingly rare, and as
+much owing to a free circulation of the fiery liquid, which addles
+men's brains, as to sheer ignorance.
+
+Many years ago a schooner sailed from Gloucester bound to the
+Grand Bank, in charge of a thick dunderhead of a skipper, and a
+crew of about equal mental calibre.  In putting up the stores the
+grog was not forgotten.  Indeed it was regarded as a necessary on
+shipboard, as a shrewd counsellor in difficulty and danger, a
+friendly consoler when borne down by misfortune, and a cheerful
+companion in prosperity, which could not be too often embraced.
+
+The schooner met with head winds before she reached the meridian
+of Cape Sable, and was beating about for several days between Cape
+Sable and St. George's Bank.  At length the wind hauled to the
+southward, and the skipper put the schooner's head to the north-
+east, and let her run, making a fair wind of it.  On the following
+day, towards night, he got soundings in twenty fathoms.  "Hallo!"
+shouted the skipper, "what a lucky fellow I am; I have hit the
+broadest and shoalest part of the Bank the first time of trying!
+I verily believe I could hit a nun buoy if it was anchored in any
+part of the ocean.  But never mind, boys, let us freshen the nip;
+we'll stand well on to the Bank, then let go the kellock, and haul
+up the cod!"
+
+He stood on for a couple of hours, when greatly to his
+mortification and amazement, he found his schooner floundering and
+thumping on a sand bank.  She soon knocked a hole in her bottom,
+and the crew with great difficulty made their escape to land,
+which was not far off.  Even then the skipper was disposed to
+believe ha had found an island on the Bank which had never before
+been discovered; and it was hard work to convince him that he was
+cast away on the Isle of Sable!
+
+Another case is said to have occurred of clumsy navigation on the
+part of one of our Marblehead skippers.  The tale is traditionary,
+but no less authentic on that account.
+
+The fishing schooner Codhook was ready for a trip to the Grand
+Bank for a cargo of the deposits, when the skipper, a faithful,
+skilful, hardy old fisherman, as is the case with most of this
+valuable class of men, was taken sick, and compelled reluctantly
+to relinquish the voyage.  It became necessary to find a skipper,
+and as it was a busy season, it was not an easy matter to procure
+the right kind of a man.  After a time, however, it was concluded
+that nothing better could be done than to appoint old Jonas
+Hardhead skipper for this single trip.
+
+Jonas, or "Uncle Jonas," as he was familiarly called, had been to
+sea during the greater part of his life, but for the last few
+years had been engaged occasionally in the fishing business; and
+when he could be kept sober he was a valuable fisherman, for few
+could endure more hardship, or haul up the cod faster than Uncle
+Jonas.  He also boasted of his skill in navigation, and according
+to his own story could handle a quadrant or even a sextant as
+adroitly as a marlinspike.  It was finally settled that he should
+act as skipper on this voyage, provided he would promise to keep
+sober.  Jonas gave the pledge with alacrity, although his feelings
+seemed hurt that his sobriety was doubted; he even declared that
+he was never otherwise than sober in his life; and was forthwith
+inducted into office.
+
+In order to aid him in keeping his promise to the owners, Uncle
+Jonas took with him on board some ten or a dozen bottles of "old
+Jamaica," a beverage which he dearly loved; and although he seldom
+got absolutely drunk when on shore, it was rarely the case that he
+went to bed sober.  He had no doubt of his qualifications to
+perform well his duty as skipper, and was determined to have a
+jovial time at all events.
+
+He had a quadrant and a Bowditch's Navigator, as well as a chart
+of the Atlantic Ocean and of the American coast. But all this
+machinery was of little use to Uncle Jonas.  Indeed he secretly
+despised book-learning, regarding it as a humbug, and relied upon
+his experience and judgment in navigating his vessel.  He was
+aware that by steering a course east, or east half south, and
+running in that direction for several days, he would strike the
+broadside of the Grand Bank, which he expected to know by the
+color of the water, the soundings, the many birds, and the fishing
+vessels at anchor.  He also supposed that when he returned with a
+glorious fare, a westerly course would fetch some part of the
+coast, when he should certainly fall in with vessels, and easily
+ascertain the where-away of Boston Bay, with all of which coast he
+was familiar.
+
+The schooner Codhook left the wharf with a roaring north-wester,
+and in order to secure a lucky cruise Uncle Jonas treated himself
+and his companions, a jolly set of fellows also, with a stiff
+glass of grog.  He afterwards drank to a fair wind, to a
+continuance of the breeze, and repeated this operation so often,
+that what little knowledge and judgment he could boast of when he
+left the wharf,  insensibly oozed away; and for nearly a week his
+mental faculties were a great deal below par.  In the meantime the
+wind blew a fresh breeze from the westward without intermission,
+and the old schooner rolled and wallowed along with nearly all
+sail set, at a tremendous rate, and actually crossed the Bank on
+the fifth day after leaving port.  But the weather was foggy, and
+the eyes of the skipper were dim.  No change was observed in the
+water, no birds or fishing vessels were seen.
+
+Onward the schooner went, with all sail spread to the wind, like a
+new Flying Dutchman, until the seventh day after leaving port,
+when the wind began to abate a little and haul to the southward.
+The horizon was now clear, and Uncle Jonas began to look out for
+vessels, and expressed a decided opinion that he was nearly up
+with the Bank.  The sun went down and no fishing vessels were seen
+under sail or at anchor.  He was confident they would be visible
+on the following day, and in order that his vision might be
+clearer, he swallowed a strong potation before he turned in.
+
+On the next morning not a vessel of any description was in sight,
+and the skipper, confident that the Bank could not be far off,
+concluded to sound.  The deep-sea lead was thrown, but he got no
+bottom with ninety fathoms of line.  "Wheugh!" exclaimed Uncle
+Jonas, "what has become of the Bank?"
+
+The wind now blew merrily from the south-west, and merrily sailed
+the schooner; Uncle Jonas keeping a sharp look-out for fishing
+vessels, and sounding every six hours.  Ten days passed away, and
+he began to be alarmed, and expressed fears that the Bank had
+failed, refused payments, sunk, or cleared out!  He continued,
+however, to consult his Jamaica friend, and sought its advice and
+assistance in his perplexity.  It is singular that in times of
+difficulty and danger, when a clear head is particularly
+necessary, men who have charge of property, and the lives of their
+fellow-men, are prone to consult the rum bottle, which always
+produces an effect precisely the reverse of what is desired.
+
+At length, on the twelfth day of the passage, Uncle Jonas, whose
+patience was nearly exhausted, saw a large number of gannets and
+gulls; the water was remarkably chilly, and seemed to have a tinge
+of green.   "Aha," said the skipper, "I have got you at last."
+But he could not see any fishing vessels, or obtain bottom with
+ninety fathoms of line.
+
+On the following morning, however, much to his gratification, he
+obtained soundings in sixty fathoms of water.  "There," exclaimed
+the skipper triumphantly to his men, "you more than insinuated
+that I was no navigator, but I have carried the ship straight to
+the Grand Bank in fine style.  We will stand on until we get
+thirty fathoms of water, and then go to work like men."
+
+His companions acknowledged their error, asked pardon for doubting
+his infallibility, and promised never again to question his
+ability to navigate a vessel to any part of the globe.
+
+But, much to the surprise and disappointment of Uncle Jonas, the
+water did not shoal, but rather deepened as he kept along to the
+eastward.  He again became bewildered, and could hardly help
+admitting that there might be some mistake in the matter, as he
+never found such deep water on the Bank before. He repeatedly
+swept the horizon with his glass, hoping to conjure up some
+vessel, and procure definite information in regard to his
+whereabouts.  In the afternoon he saw a ship approaching from the
+eastward, and his heart was gladdened at the sight.  He hauled the
+schooner on a wind, hoisted his colors, and prepared to speak the
+ship.  She proved to be the packet ship James Monroe, Captain
+Wilkinson, bound from Liverpool to New York.  Uncle Jonas eagerly
+inquired of the captain of the ship if he had fallen in with any
+fishing vessels on his passage.
+
+"Ay, ay," was the reply; "I saw a number of them in the Irish
+Channel."
+
+"Irish Channel!" echoed the skipper, with a howl of agony.  "Why,
+where are we, my good fellow; do tell us where we are."
+
+"We are about thirty-five miles south-south-east of Cape Clear,
+and on the Nymph Bank!"
+
+Uncle Jonas dashed his trumpet to the deck, and sprang
+perpendicularly four feet by actual measurement   so true, it is,
+that astonishment prompts a man instinctively to extraordinary
+gymnastic exercises!
+
+The skipper was in an awkward dilemma.  He had gone across the
+Atlantic, with a fair and fresh breeze, safely and expeditiously
+enough; but he cherished strong doubts whether his skill in
+navigation would suffice to carry him back.  He explained the case
+candidly to Captain Wilkinson, who, after a hearty laugh at the
+expense of Uncle Jonas, consented to furnish him with a navigator.
+He accordingly put a young man on board the schooner who was a
+proficient in the art of navigation   an art with which the
+commander of a vessel on the ocean should be somewhat familiar.
+
+As a preliminary step, the new captain caused the remainder of the
+"Jamaica" to be thrown overboard, and every thing else which was
+akin to it.  Uncle Jonas begged hard to retain it as a solace
+under trouble; but he was overruled by the new navigator, and also
+the crew, all of whom felt mortified at the result of the trip
+thus far, and overboard it went.  The head of the schooner was got
+round to the westward, her sails were trimmed to the breeze, and
+the schooner jogged along quietly in the wake of the ship until
+the latter was out of sight.
+
+In due time, that is, in about thirty-five days after having
+spoken the ship James Monroe, for the wind was westerly nearly the
+whole time, the schooner Codhook reached the Grand Bank.  Neither
+the navigator nor the crew would consent to remain there any great
+length of time   indeed, for various reasons, all were anxious to
+return to Marblehead.  In about a fortnight afterwards they
+reached the port from which they started, after an absence of
+about two months, having had a glorious cruise, but bringing home
+a slender fare.
+
+Uncle Jonas was laughed at until the day of his death; but he
+always warded off the ridicule by declaring that no fishing
+schooner had ever before reached Cape Clear from Massachusetts Bay
+in fourteen days from leaving port!
+
+We crossed the Grand Bank in the brig Joseph, and proceeded on our
+way towards Cape Cod.  But meeting with south-west winds after
+passing the Isle of Sable, we were forced to the northward on the
+coast of Nova Scotia.  Here we were enveloped in fogs of a density
+which seemed appalling.  Unable to obtain a meridian observation
+of the sun, and swept about by unknown currents, we were uncertain
+of our latitude, and more than once came near wrecking the brig on
+that dangerous iron-bound shore.
+
+After beating to windward a few days, the wind hauled us to the
+southward and eastward, the fog towards noon, to a very
+considerable extent, dispersed, and Captain Allen obtained a
+meridian altitude of the sun, the horizon being as he erroneously
+thought, well defined.  Having thus determined the latitude to his
+satisfaction, he ordered the brig to be steered about west-south-
+west, which, he supposed, would carry us round Cape Sable, clear
+of all danger.
+
+This cape is well known as the southern extremity of Nova Scotia,
+a dangerous point, on which, notwithstanding the lighthouse on its
+extremity, many vessels have been wrecked, and a countless number
+of lives have been lost.  The fog again gathered around the brig
+soon after the sun had passed the meridian, and became so dense
+that for several hour it was impossible to perceive any object,
+even at the distance of twenty yards from the vessel.  But Captain
+Allen, confident in the correctness of his latitude by
+observation, manifested no anxiety, and kept the brig on her
+course, without ordering any particular lookout, which, indeed,
+would hardly have been of use, or using the lead.
+
+There was a steady breeze, and the brig was going through the
+water at the rate of six or seven knots, when, just as the shades
+of evening began to fall, the thick curtain, which had hitherto
+surrounded us on every side, was suddenly lifted.  The fog
+vanished as if at the will of an enchanter; and, to the
+consternation of Captain Allen and every person on board, we
+discovered craggy ledges of rock rising out of the water directly
+ahead and on either side, and not a quarter of a mile off!
+
+We were running directly on Cape Sable.  It was a narrow escape.
+The brig was immediately put round on the other tack, and we
+clawed off from the land with all possible speed, shuddering at
+the idea of the dangers which in the fog-darkness had surrounded
+us, and truly grateful for our preservation.
+
+The fogs on our coast are a great impediment in the way of
+navigation.  They screen from view the lighthouses in the night,
+and the headlands in the daytime, and are often the cause of
+perplexity and dismay even to the most skilful navigator, and have
+led to the destruction of thousands of vessels.  The philosopher,
+who, stimulated by the spirit which led Professor Espy to attempt
+to control the storms, change the density of the atmosphere, and
+produce rain in times of drought, should succeed in placing in the
+hands of the navigator the means of dispelling fogs at will when
+navigating a dangerous coast, would indeed be a benefactor to
+sailors, and deserve the richest tribute of gratitude.
+
+As we approached the shores of Massachusetts, having been six
+weeks at sea, every person on board was anxious to obtain a sight
+of land once more, notwithstanding our vessel was stanch and
+strong and our provisions and water abundant.  There is always a
+pleasant excitement among a ship's company at the prospect of soon
+terminating a voyage.  We drew towards Cape Cod, and one night
+when the soundings indicated that we were not far from the shore,
+a good look-out was kept from the topsail yard for the light; but
+no light was visible through the night.  Soon after daybreak, the
+LIGHTHOUSE, right ahead, was plainly seen from the deck with the
+naked eye, being not more than five or six miles off.  Whether the
+light had been allowed to expire through inattention on the part
+of an unfaithful keeper, or a thick haze had collected over the
+land and veiled it from the view of vessels in the offing, as was
+suggested by some good-natured individuals, was never known.
+
+All was now bustle and excitement.  The land was in sight; the
+"highlands of Cape Cod" were plainly visible; the wind was north-
+east, and every thing indicated that we should be safely anchored
+in Boston harbor, or hauled snugly in, alongside the wharf, before
+another night.
+
+It is pleasant to witness the exuberance of spirits on such an
+occasion.  Orders were promptly obeyed; every man moved as if he
+had been suddenly endued with a double portion of strength and
+activity; smiles lighted up every countenance; the joke and the
+laugh went round, and even Cato, the philosophic African, as he
+stood near his camboose and gazed earnestly on the barren sands,
+clapped his hands with glee, exhibited a store of ivory which
+would have excited the admiration of an elephant.  Even the old
+brig seemed to participate in the joyousness that pervaded the
+ship's company, and glided along smoothly and rapidly, gracefully
+and merrily, as if conscious that a quiet haven and a snug resting
+place were at hand.
+
+Passing Race Point we soon came in sight of the "south shore" of
+Massachusetts By, the land hallowed by the trials and sufferings
+of the Pilgrims.  We passed near Cohasset Rocks, dangers, which,
+it is well known, have caused the destruction of many a noble ship
+and in full view of Boston lighthouse we received a pilot on
+board.
+
+Pilots should be a happy as well as a useful class of men.  When a
+ship arrives at the entrance of a harbor, after a long passage,
+the sight of a pilot carries joy to every heart.  He appears truly
+in the guise of "a guide, philosopher, and friend," is warmly
+welcomed, and treated with kindness and hospitality.  The news is
+eagerly demanded, friends are inquired for, and the words which
+fall from his lips are attentively listened to, carefully noted,
+and prized as highly as the sayings of the Delphic oracles.
+
+The dome of the State House was soon distinctly seen; a
+conspicuous object, which seems to rest lightly upon the countless
+edifices, a mural crown upon a kingly city.  We thridded the
+narrows, and off Long Island Head Captain Allen suddenly
+recollected he had a prisoner under his charge.  Petersen had been
+released from durance in the morning as usual, and light-hearted
+and joyous, had toiled with the crew, apparently sympathizing in
+their feelings.  Speaking English fluently, and well acquainted
+with the harbor, for he had sailed a voyage out of Boston, it
+would have been easy for him to slip quietly over the bow and swim
+to the shore, where, it is possible, he might have escaped the
+fearful punishment that awaited him for his crimes.  But he made
+no effort to escape, and was now conducted below by the mate,
+handcuffed, and confined to his quarters in the half-deck.
+
+We had no sooner anchored off Long Wharf than Captain Allen went
+ashore, and in about an hour the United States Marshal,
+accompanied by a posse with handcuffs and shackles, came on board
+and demanded the prisoner.  Petersen was brought on deck and
+delivered into his hands.  But his countenance had undergone an
+appalling change within a few hours.  He seemed suddenly to have
+realized the horrors of his situation.  His features were pale,
+and his eye seemed glazed with fear as he looked upon the officers
+of justice, and, trembling in every limb, was assisted into the
+boat.  A sense of his guilt, and the terrible consequences, now
+seemed to weigh upon his spirits.  The penalty exacted by the laws
+for the crimes of piracy and murder stared him in the face.
+
+We arrived in Boston on the 24th of October, 1817, having been
+fifty-four days on our passage from Gottenburg.  I had not
+accumulated treasures during my wanderings, but I had improved my
+constitution, acquired a habit of resignation and cheerfulness
+which bade defiance to the freaks of fortune, gained some
+knowledge of the world, and rejoiced in robust health, one of the
+greatest of earthly blessings, and which as often cheers and
+enlightens the condition of the poor man, as his more fortunate
+fellow-mortal rolling in riches.
+
+When paid off, I found myself in possession of means to rig myself
+out in decent apparel, and provide myself with other exterior
+appurtenances of a gentleman; and also to defray my expenses on a
+visit to my relations in New Hampshire, from whom I had so long
+been separated, and whom I longed to convince by tangible proofs
+that I was still in the land of the living.  And thus I returned
+from my wanderings after an absence of nearly seven years, during
+which I had witnessed many eventful scenes, and had studied the
+page of human nature in various climes.
+
+Notwithstanding my occasional hard fortune at sea, a seafaring
+life still possessed many powerful attractions.  I was bound to it
+by a charm which I did not attempt to break.  Besides, I had put
+my hand to the plough and I would not look back.  Although I had
+passed many happy hours in the forecastle, free from care and
+responsibility, and associating with men whose minds, if may be,
+were uncultivated, but whose heads were well furnished and whose
+hearts were in the right place, yet visions of an important
+station on "the quarter-deck," at no distant period, were often
+conjured up by my imagination; and I resolved that many day should
+not pass before I would again brave the perils, share the strange
+excitement, and court the joys which accompany life on the sea.
+
+
+Chapter XXXVIII
+THE SEA, AND SAILORS
+
+When we embark on the ocean, we are astonished at its immensity,
+bounded only by the horizon, with not a speck of land, a solitary
+rock, or landmark of any description, to guide the adventurers
+cast adrift on its broad surface, with "water, water, every
+where;" and when we see its face agitated by storms, and listen to
+the thunder of its billows, and reflect on its uncertain and
+mysterious character, and on the dangers with which it has been
+associated in every age, we wonder at the courage and enterprise
+of those early navigators, strangers to science, who dared embark
+on the waste of waters in vessels of the frailest construction, to
+explore the expanse of ocean and make discovery of,
+
+"New lands,
+Rivers and mountains on the spotted globe."
+
+Even familiarity with the sea, which has become the great highway
+of nations, does not diminish its sublimity, its wild beauties,
+its grandeur, and the terrible power of its wrath.
+
+The immensity of the sea, notwithstanding its surface has been
+traversed and measured by thousands of voyagers for centuries,
+fills the contemplative mind with awe, as a wonderful creation of
+Almighty Power.  One can hardly realize its vast extent from
+figures and calculations, without sailing over its surface and
+witnessing its immensity, as day after day passes away, the cry
+being still "onward, onward!"  and the view bounded on every side
+by the distant horizon.
+
+On gazing down into its depths, when not a breath of wind sweeps
+over its surface, when its face is like a polished mirror, we find
+the water almost as transparent as the air we breathe, yet the
+keenest optics can penetrate but a few fathoms below the surface.
+The movements, the operations instinct with life, that are
+constantly taking place in that body of water, and the mighty
+changes which are going on in the vast tract of earth on which it
+reposes, are invisible to mortal eye.
+
+Within a few years, the progress of scientific knowledge has
+enabled man to measure the depths of the ocean, which were
+formerly believed to be as unfathomable as boundless in extent.
+From soundings which have been taken, it is ascertained that the
+configuration of the earth at the bottom of the sea, is similar to
+that portion which rises above the surface, undulating, and
+interspersed with hills, and valleys, and plains, and mountain
+ranges, and abrupt precipices.  The greatest depth of water at
+which soundings have been obtained, being between five and six
+miles, is deeper than the altitude of the highest mountain of
+which we have knowledge; and there may be cavities of far greater
+depth.  Geological researches prove that at an early period of the
+history of the earth its surface was vastly more irregular than at
+the present time.  Not only the mountains on the earth were
+higher, but the deepest valleys of ocean were far deeper.
+Disintegrations caused by exposure to water or the atmosphere, and
+abrasions from causes with which we may not be familiar, have
+lowered the mountain tops, and created deposits which raise the
+plains and fill the deepest chasms.  And here geologists find the
+origin of the earliest formation of stratified rocks.
+
+Men have striven in vain to develop the secrets which lie hidden
+in the sea.  Imagination has been at work for ages, and in some
+cases has pictured the bottom of ocean as a sort of marine
+paradise, a nautical Eden, with charming grottoes, spacious
+gardens, coral forests, ridges of golden sands, and heaps of
+precious gems; and abounding in inhabitants with fairy forms,
+angelic features, and other attributes corresponding with the
+favored region in which they flourish, who sometimes rise to the
+surface of ocean, and seated on the craggy rocks, sing sweet
+ballads to charm away the life of the unwary mariner.  Leyden, a
+Scottish poet, imagines one of these charming denizens of the deep
+to describe, in the following poetic language, the attractions of
+this submarine world:
+
+"How sweet, when billows heave their head,
+And shake their arrowy crests on high,
+Serene, in Ocean's sapphire bed,
+Beneath the trembling surge to lie!
+
+"To trace with tranquil step the deep,
+Where pearly drops of frozen dew,
+In concave shells, unconscious sleep,
+Or shine with lustre, silvery blue.
+
+"Then shall the summer's sun from far
+Pour through the waves a softer ray,
+While diamonds, in a bower of spar,
+At eve shall shed a brighter day."
+
+Others, however, with fancies equally vigorous, but less ornate or
+refined, give us different sketches of the doings in Neptune's
+dominions. They picture the bottom of ocean as un uninviting spot,
+replete with objects calculated to chill the blood and sadden the
+heart of man; inhabited by beings of a character rather repulsive
+than prepossessing, as salt-water satyrs, krakens, polypuses, and
+marine monsters of frightful aspects and hideous habits; glimpses
+of which are occasionally seen by favored inhabitants of these
+upper regions, sometimes in the shape of monstrous sea-serpents,
+with flowing manes and goggle eyes, lashing with their tails the
+astonished waters of Massachusetts Bay.
+
+In "Clarence's Dream: we find Shakespeare's idea of the sights
+exhibited far down beneath the ocean waves:
+
+"Methought I saw a thousand fearful wrecks;
+A thousand men that fishes gnawed upon;
+Wedges of gold, great anchors, heaps of pearl;
+Inestimable stones, unvalued jewels;
+All scattered in the bottom of the sea.
+Some lay in dead men's skulls!"
+
+Although man can fathom the depths of the sea, and may by
+scientific experiments, conducted with immense labor and expense,
+succeed in mapping out the great ocean basins, and obtaining an
+accurate idea of the configuration of that part of the earth which
+lies beneath the waters, yet the true character of the scenery,
+vegetation, and inhabitants of that region must remain unknown
+until some new philosophical and mechanical principles shall be
+discovered to pave the way to a system of submarine navigation,
+and the enterprise confided to some daring Yankee, with the
+promise of an exclusive patent right to its use for a century to
+come.
+
+In the mean time we may rest assured that no valuable gems or
+lumps of gold have yet been brought up by the plummet.  Indeed, so
+far as is shown by the soundings, the bottom of the ocean is
+covered with microscopic shells, so wonderfully minute that
+thousands may be counted on the surface of a single square inch.
+We know also that the bed of ocean, for at least four hundred
+years, has served as a repository, a burial-place, not only for
+earth's choicest productions and myriads of human beings, gone to
+the bottom in sunken ships, but for disappointed hopes, false
+calculations, and sanguine schemes for the realization of fortune
+and honor.
+
+The immensity, the majesty, and the wonders of the sea are
+manifest, and acknowledged by all.  But what can surpass its
+beauty when in repose!  What scene can be more sublimely beautiful
+than the sea when gazed upon from the mast-head of a ship, gliding
+along as if impelled by the breath of a fairy!  Every thing in the
+vicinity, as well as the vast expanse stretching out on every
+side, is calculated to inspire confidence, invite security, and
+give complete reliance on its gentle and pacific character.  While
+enjoying the delightful scene, the passions are hushed.  The sea
+seems the blest abode of tranquillity.  We are alive only to its
+beauty, its grace, its magnitude, its power to interest and charm,
+to benefit mankind and beautify the world.
+
+And how calmly beautiful is the close of day!  What nameless
+charms cluster around a sunset at sea!  The heavens and light
+clouds are not clad in purple and gold; but the western sky is
+attractive and lovely in the richness of its sober brilliancy.
+The sun, with undivided glory, goes down in the west, sinking
+gently and gradually beneath the well-defined horizon, like the
+spirit of a good man in the evening of life, departing for a
+better world.
+
+Night drops her curtain only to change the scene and invest it
+with holier attributes.  The moon sheds her light on the surface
+of the ocean.  No sounds break the stillness of the hour as the
+ship, urged by the favored breeze, quietly, yet perseveringly,
+pursues her course, save the murmuring ripple of the waves, the
+measured tread of the officer of the watch as he walks the deck,
+the low, half-stifled creaking of a block as if impatient of
+inactivity, the occasional flap of a sail awakened out of its
+sleep, and the stroke of the bell every half hour to mark the
+lapse of time, sending its musical, ringing notes far over the
+water.  What a time is this for study, for contemplation, for
+enjoyment!  The poet Gilfillan, in describing a lovely night at
+sea, says, with true poetic warmth and energy,
+
+"Night closed around the ship; no sound
+Save of the splashing sea
+Was heard.  The waters all around
+Murmured so pleasantly,
+You would have thought the mermaids sung
+Down in their coral caves,
+So softly and so sweetly rang
+The music of the waves!"
+
+Were such scenes always met with at sea, was its surface always
+smooth, the winds favorable and the sky unclouded, little
+resolution or physical endurance would be required to navigate the
+ocean; the energies which call THE SAILOR into life would no
+longer be necessary; the sea would be covered with pleasure yachts
+of the most fanciful description, manned by exquisites in snow-
+white gloves, propelled with silken sails, and decked with
+streamers, perhaps with flowers, while their broad decks would be
+thronged with a gay and happy bevy, of both sexes and every age,
+bent on pleasure and eager to enjoy the beauties of the sea.
+
+But this attractive spectacle is sometimes changed with magical
+rapidity!  The scene shifts; and instead of gentle zephyrs and
+smooth seas, the elements pour forth all their pent-up wrath on
+the devoted ship, and events are conjured into being which rouse
+into action the noblest faculties of man.  If the records of the
+sea were truly kept, they would tell of hurricanes, shipwrecks,
+sufferings, and perils too numerous and appalling to be imagined,
+to struggle successfully against which demands those
+manifestations of courage and energy, that, when witnessed on the
+land, elicit the admiration of mankind.  These chronicles, if
+faithfully kept, would tell of desperate encounters, of piracies
+where whole crews were massacred, of dark deeds of cruelty and
+oppression, of pestilence on shipboard, without medical aid and
+with no Florence Nightingale to soothe the pains and whisper
+comfort and peace to the dying!
+
+And what may be said of the mariners, the life-long actors on this
+strange, eventful theatre,   the sea,   who perform their
+unwritten and unrecorded parts, face danger and death in every
+shape, and are heard and seen no more?  Is it remarkable that,
+estranged from the enjoyments which cluster around the most humble
+fireside, and familiar with scenes differing so widely from those
+met with on the land, they should acquire habits peculiar to
+themselves and form a character of their own?
+
+The failings of this isolated class of men are well known; a
+catalogue of their imperfections is scattered abroad by every wind
+that blows; they are acknowledged, even by themselves, and
+enlarged upon and exaggerated by those who know them not.  True
+are the words of the poet,
+
+"Men's evil manners live in brass;
+Their virtues we write in water."
+
+Those who are familiar with a seafaring life, and have had
+opportunities for analyzing the character of the sailor, know that
+it possesses many brilliant spots as well as blemishes, and that
+it would be cruel and unjust on the part of those more favored
+with the smiles of fortune, to steel their hearts against sympathy
+for his sufferings, or respect for his intrinsic worth.
+
+The sailor is said to be rough and unpolished, as well as addicted
+to vices.  It is true he is seldom a proficient in classical
+studies, or versed in the logic of the schools.  But he is
+conversant with men and manners in various parts of the globe, and
+his habits of life, and opportunities for observation, supply him
+with a fund of worldly wisdom and practical knowledge, which
+qualify him to render good service when strong hands and bold
+hearts are in demand on the land as well as on the sea.  It should
+be remembered, also, that the sailor has few opportunities of
+receiving instruction in polite literature, of learning lessons of
+moral culture, and of sharing the pleasures and refinements of
+domestic life.  The many temptations to which he is exposed should
+also be remembered, and it will be found that, with his generous
+heart and noble spirit, he is far more worthy of confidence and
+respect than the thousands we meet with in society, who, in spite
+of words of warning and the example of good men, with every
+inducement to pursue the path of rectitude, voluntarily embrace a
+life of dissipation, consume their substance in riotous living,
+and become slaves to habits of a degrading character.
+
+The same records that tell of stormy passions, profligate habits,
+thrilling disasters, and violent deaths on the sea, also chronicle
+the manifold deeds of philanthropy, heroism, self-devotion, and
+patriotism of those,
+
+"Whose march is on the mountain wave,
+Whose home is on the deep!"
+
+Of those who, however rough and unpolished, are ever ready to
+lend a protecting hand to the weak, to spend their last dollar in
+encouraging the unfortunate or relieving distress, and to risk
+their lives in defence of the honor of their country, and the flag
+which waves over their heads.
+
+When we look at the hardships, sufferings, and perils of the
+sailor, with his few enjoyments and recreations, and consider the
+services he renders society,   that by his courage and energy we
+enjoy the countless advantages of commerce, and that through his
+means are spread abroad the blessings of civilization and
+Christianity, while for HIM "no Sabbath bell awakes the Sabbath
+morn,"   we ought to cherish a sense of gratitude and indulgence
+for that class of men "who go down to the sea in ships and do
+business on the great waters;" to that class of men to whom we
+intrust, with confidence, not only our golden treasures, but our
+wives and our children, all which are most dear to us.
+
+So far from despising the character and calling of the sailor, and
+regarding him with an eye of distrust, let us throw a veil over
+his faults, appreciate his virtues, be ready at all times to give
+him words of good cheer, and encourage him to keep within his
+bosom a clear conscience and an honest heart.  Let us not grudge
+our influence or mite in favor of measures to elevate his
+character and promote his comfort while sailing over the
+tempestuous sea of life; or in preparing for his reception,
+towards the close of the voyage, when broken down with toil and
+suffering, a quiet haven, a SNUG HARBOR, where, safely moored,
+secure from storms and troubles, he can calmly await the
+inevitable summons aloft.
+
+                             __________
+
+My task is finished.  I have given, in the foregoing pages, a
+brief, but strictly truthful, summary of my adventures during a
+few years of my early life.  It would have been comparatively easy
+to concoct a series of incidents far more wild, romantic, and
+improbable, and, therefore, more interesting, than any thing
+contained in this simple narrative.  But I have preferred to give
+a faithful transcript of events which actually occurred.
+
+If the tale of my trials, temptations, resources, and enjoyments
+will tend to brighten a passing hour of the indulgent reader,
+throw light on the character, habits of life, recreations, and
+perils of the common sailor; guard an unsuspecting young man
+against temptations to vice, and encourage him to exert all his
+energies, and boldly press forward in the channel which leads to
+usefulness and honor; my labors will not have been in vain, and I
+shall never regret having attempted to lift a corner of the
+curtain, which has for centuries screened from public view, JACK
+IN THE FORECASTLE.
+
+                              The End
+
+
+
+
+
+
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