The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1840-12-29


laid hold Of Sam, who made no resistance, and car
ried him 10 the gangwny. ~ .-sE
tWhat arc you going to fog that man tor, sir9.
said John, the Swede, 10 the captain.
Upon bearing this, the captain turned upon him,
but knowing him to he quick and resoutc, he or
dored the steward to bring the irons, and calling
upon RnssoII TO help him, went up 10 John.
Let me alone, said John. '!n willing to be
put in irons. You need not any iocce;' and
putting ont his hands, the captain slipped the irons
on, and sent him aft to the quarter deck Sam, by
Tins time, was seized mp, as it is called, that IS
placed against the shrouds, with his wrists made
fast 10 The shrouds his jacket off, and his back
posed. The captain stood on the freak Of the
deck, few feet from him, and little raised
10 have good swing at him. and held ia his hand
the hight Of thick strong rope. The officers
stood round, and the grouped together in the
waist. All these preparations made feel sick
and almost faint, angry and excited as
mana human being, made N Gods likeness
fastened UP and logged like beast! A man, too.
whom | had !ivod and eaten with for months, aud
knew almost rs we'll rs brother The first and
almost uncomfortable impulse was resistance. But
what to be done9 Tie time for it had gone
by. The Two best were fast, and there was
only two beside myself and small boy ten or
twelve years OF age. And then there were beside
the caplan) three officers, steward agent, ard
clerk. But besides the numbers, what is there for
sailors to do? If, hey resist it is nutiny; and if
they cceed and take the vessel, it is piracy. If
they ever yield again their punishment must come;
and if they do not yield they pirates for ife
Ifa sailor resists his commander he ressts the law
and piracy or submission are his only alternatives.
Bad it it must be borne. 1t ~ what sailor
ships for. Swinging the rope over his head, and
bending his body so as to give it full force, the
captain brought it down upon the poor fellows
back, Once, twice--six times. viii you ever
give me any more Of your Jaw The wrhed
with pain, but said not word. Three times more.
This was TOO much, and ho mu,tered something
which could not hear; this bro ought many more
as the man could stand; when the captain ordered
him to be cut down, and to 60 forward.
NOW for YOU said the captain, making up to
John and ing his irons off. AS soon as he was
loose, he forward 10 the CorecastIe bring
that man aft, shouted the captain The second
mate, who had been ship mate of Johns stood
still in the waist, and the mate walked slowly for
ward; but third officer anxious to show his
zeal, snrang forward over the windIass, and laid
hold of John, but he soon threw him from him, AT
this moment would have given worlds for the
power TO help the poor fellow; but it was all in
vain. The captain stood on the quarter deck bare
headed, his eyes flashing with rage, and his face
as red as blood, swinging the rope, and calling out
to his officers, Drag him aft! Lay hold of him!
III s'cceten him!' &c. &c. The mate now went
forward and told John quietly to go aft, and he
seeing resistance was in vain, threw the bnckguard
third mate from him; sn;d he would 81 aft of him
,lo ,I,o
to the gangway and held out hishandS; but rs soon
rs the captain began to make him fast, the ndigni-
ty toI much, and he began to resist; but the
mate and Russell holding him, he was soon seized
up. When he made fast he turned TO the capt.
who was turning up his sleeves and getting ready
for the blow, and asked him what he was to be
logged fors rIave ever refused to do my duty
sir? Have yon ever known to hang back, or to
be inso lent not to know my work.
'No,' said tho saptan 1T is not that l fog you
for; fog you for your interfarence-for asking
questions.
aogged?'
mo- shouted the captain; nobody shall open
his mouth aboard this vessel but myself and he
began lay ing his blows upon his back, swinging |
half round between each blow, to give it full effect
AS he went on, his passion increased, and he dane
ed about the deck, calling out, he swung the
rope, Hf you want TO know what hog you for, I'll
tell you. lis because like 10 do it!-becauso |
like to do ii! 1t suits me- Tha,'s what do il
for ...
The man wrhed under the pain, Xunti he could
endure itno longer, when lie called out, with an
exclamation more common among foreigners than
with us-sOh Jesus Christi
Don't call on Jesus Christ shouted the captain
ne can't help you. Call on Capt. T. He's the
man HI can help you Jesus Christ can I help
you now
AT these words which shall never forget, sPy
blood ran cold. !! could look no longer -Disgus-
ted, sick, and horror struck, turned away, and
leaned over the rail- and looked down into The wa
ter. A lew rapid thoughts of my own situation,
and the prospect OF future revenge, crossed my
mind but the falling of the blows and cries of the
man called me back at AT length they ceas-
cd, and turning round found that the mate, at
signal from, the captuu had cut him down Al.
mos, doubled up with pain, the man walked slow
l., c,r,nord and went down into Tho forecastIe |