The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-10-31

| In short time most of the crew reasoned
themselves into the belief that the Captain,
and his mates, were men of little physical
power or energy ofpurpose, and they deter
mined to bring the matter TO the test as soon
as an opportunity should offer itself, and de-
eide the question for the voyage, whether the
officers or the crew should have the actual
command.
| Next morning, it being the chief mates
watch on deck, as soon as it was light he Or
dered the watch to set to work clearing up the
decks-but no answer was returned.
say there, forward-you Jim do you
hear" added Mr. Riley, in louder and sharper
tone.
AYE, aye responded Jim Sanford, in a
sulky voice.
Whats that you sayr exclaimed Mr. Riley,
in an angry key, springing forward into the
waist.
4 said AYE, aye,'' sturdily replied Jim, 'and
that is as much as fellow ofny size would
say to better man than ever stood in your
shoes
you insolent scoundrelp said the mate,
who was a spirited little fellow, and as smart
as a steel trap. I'll teach you that you have
got into the wrong ship for cutting such cap
ersr-and Notwithstanding Jim's watch-mates
gathered around him, ready TO support him,
Riley darted at the fellow, and dealt him a
blow on the nozzle, which made him stag
ger back some paces-whe the crimson flu
id rushed forth as if spigot had been remov-
ed. But before he could repeat the blow,
Jack Waghorn was upon him, and the mate
was hustled down, and would have been sad
" beaten and bruised, if Captain Hardcastle
hearing the confusion on deck, had not sprung
from his berth, and fastened to the scene of
action.
Keep COOL Mr. Riley-keep coolp suggest
ed the Captain, as the loud circumstances,
oaths and threats ofhis first officer reached
his ears. Don't get in passion, Mr. Riley.
Take that, you please, Bob At the same
instant he gave Bob Wilkins, who had grasp
ed the chefmate by the throat, n tremendous
blow on the temple, WEIGH laid him without
sense or motion on the deck-and drawing
back his arm with jerk, Jim Sanford was
propelled by back-handed blow on the
cheek bone, against the bullwarks with
force that shook every bone in his body. At
the same moment, the Captain paid his re-
spects to Bill BIodget with his left hand, up
setting him by punch in the ribs, which dis
turhed his cogitalions mightily--and with his
foot, striking Jack Waghorn's dr,Im-stick just
below the knee, laid him sprawlng on the
deck The only one ofthe watch now stand
ing, was Dick Billings, who was so astonish-
ed at the result ofIhe fracas, that he was I'M
able to run or Highland Capt. HarrcHstle
kindly brought him to his senses, by Il box on
the ear, with his open hand, that would have
teled an Ajnx Teamon-and threw his
whole hearing apparatus into coniusion,which
continued for six weeks afterwards al least!
Then addressing his vanquished adversa-
ries in his blandest manner, as they were
picking themselves up,or rubbing their sides,
their countenanccs distorted with rnoriifca-
ton and pain, he said-'l am sorry to he com
| PEELED TO resort To such rough measures for
! preserving order on board my ship--but, my
good fellows, discipline must he preserved
You will oblige me now,' added he, by at
tending to your duties
'AYE, AYE, SIR shouted the men in chorus
and they went TO their work, with as much
alacrity, as could have been expected under
the circunstances-and more orderly, quiet
and efficient crew never trod ships deck,
than the crew of the ship Neversink, after this
| little fury. The above incident will serve to
illustrate the character of Captain Hardcas-
| tie.
Some years ago, Captain Hardcastle was
in Havana, i'll the good ship Snapdragon, taxi
ing i'll cargo ofSugar and Coffee for Europe.
One day he dined at the table ola hospitabe
merchant and among the persons present
was an English gentleman named Brooks,
who possessed all the gruff, dogmatic, surly
| spirit, which is so often found among the
| English, whom one meets abroad. But
Brooks, unlike the generality of his country
men, although good deal of n bully, was
not overstocked with courage. In the course
of conversation at the table, the subject of du-
cling was brought up, and Brooks justified
the practice as in accordance with the rules
of chivalry, and eulogized it as the most fair,
and indeed the only genteel and honorable
mode of settling quarrel among gentlemen,
and pretty broadly intimated that no one but
clergyman or coward would refuse to fight
n duel, or condemn the practice in others.
pray excuse me, my dear Sir said Captain
Hardcastle with bow and smile, but can
not agree with you in this. l have always
regarded the custom of duelling as barba-
rous relic of a barbarous age, which has no
foundation in justice or common sense. 1t
carries absurdty on the face oft, and is con-
trary to the laws of God and man. Besides,
in my own opinion, it is no evidence of cour-
age--for coward will often accept a chal-
lenge, and meet All antagonist in the field
while the man who will refuse summons to
fight a duel, must possess degree of moral
courage and an independent spirit, which is
worthy of all praise
WELL replied Mr. Brooks with sneer,
you are welcome to your opinion. believe
the Yankees are not all so averse to duelling
as Yourself honor the custom. When al
man insults me by action or words, he must,
if he is recognized as gentleman, give me
satisfaction ...-.L.....
Satisfaction" repeated Captain HardcastIe
with smile. THAT means, ifI understand
it's technical sense, that you will shoot him
through the head, if you can--and give him
an equal chance of lodging a bullet in your
crauium Ifboth parties should happen to
be mortally wounded, the mutual satisfaction
must be very great. Is not sop