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diff --git a/8638.txt b/8638.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2b22ec1 --- /dev/null +++ b/8638.txt @@ -0,0 +1,14666 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Jack in the Forecastle, by John Sherburne Sleeper + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Jack in the Forecastle + +Author: John Sherburne Sleeper + +Release Date: August, 2005 [EBook #8638] +Posting Date: July 29, 2009 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JACK IN THE FORECASTLE *** + + + + +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 disposition 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 + 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 he 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 by 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 FIRMA 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; after 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 practice 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 cognac, 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 terms 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 + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Jack in the Forecastle, by John Sherburne Sleeper + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JACK IN THE FORECASTLE *** + +***** This file should be named 8638.txt or 8638.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/8/6/3/8638/ + +Produced by Theresa Armao + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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