Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-11-30
TWO KINDS OF COURAGE.
BY sYLvANus COBB, JR.

his long career beneath the trident of Neptune he
had imbbed many of those false ideas prevalent
among seamen, and he had come to look upon
the sailors life as one which unnecessarily, did
away with those finer and warmer traits of char
man. In this wise Isaac Jacobs sometimes lost
sight of true merit where it actually existed.
Among the crew of the Ponto, on her present
voyage, was a young man named Caleb Baker.
He had only shipped three days before the ship
sailed. He was slender framed man, with a
fair prepossessing countenance, light blue eyes,
and light brown hair, Though light in his build,
he was yet we'll stocked with muscle, and his
motions were quick and energetic. His appear
ance was calculated to predispose beholders in
his favor. f.a ..
One day, shortly after the ship had left port, as
Baker was busy about some matters of his own
in one of the gangways, one of the men, rough,
uncouth fellow, by the name of Bunkton, came
along and gave the clothes bag of Baker kick out
of his way, thereby scattering number Of things
about the deck.
81 wish you'd be careful" said Baker, as he
moved to gather up his things.
"Then keep your things out O. my way" gruf-
fly returned Bunkton.
'sThey were not in your way
ssDo you mean to tell me lie!"
81 said my things were not in your way"
'And say they were. Now don't you dis
pute me again.
every weil;-have it your own way" calmly
returned Baker, and he drew his bag closer in to-
wards the bulwarks. -. .a .-...m.s
"And don't you be impudent, neither" provok-
ingly added Bunkton.
Look ye, Bunkton, if you've any business OF
your own you'd better mind it.'' ..s-..a
"Eh, lubber! I'll show ye my business. Take
that
AS Bunkton spoke, he struck the young man
upon the face.z The crew had most of them gath
cred about the place, and arrangements were
quickly made for fight. " - a.sf .-.-
ssJust come forward,-come forward, and I'll
show ye my business"
'sDon stand that Baker," cried half dozen
of the men. s5a-a % 7--E u
The young mans eyes had flashed as he re-
ceived the blow, and there was a, quick quverng
of the muscles in his hands, but he made no mo-
ton to strike. .-s--..-. 49,. ..;.,
s'Ain't you going to take it up!' asked Bunk.
ton. aEs- z#a3 .. @..a .-l.5..5gT
sNo, want nothing to DO with you," returned
Caleb " -" 9' zs# 1.'a
"Then you are coward!'' uttered Bunkton
with a contemptous tone and look. ,f.,.
Young Baker calmly replied to the taunt, anC
Bunkten became still more savage. Those who
know anything about ocean life, will understand
the sentiments of the rough crew upon such mat
%I,o Il
one kind of courage, and the moment that Baker
refused to fight, they set him down an arran
coward. At first they had been preposessed il
his favor, for Bunkton was quarrelsome fellow
and they hoped Caleb would fog him; but wher
they saw him quietly turn away and resume hi
work, they began to taunt him too.
'.What's all thss' asked Captain Jacobs, wht
was attracted to the spot.
/ The mattel was explained to him. ..
"Didn't resent it," uttered the Captain, look
/ ing with mingled surprise and contempt upol
Caleb. "Why didn't you knock him down Ba
ker!"
''Because don't want to fight any man sir.''
''And will you allow yourself to be struck, an,
not resent it, E....-.. f.. -- ..
II will defend myselfin case of danger, but
will not abase myself so as to engage in bruta
fight when it can be possibly avoided. / have a
yet done wrong to no man, but were to figh
one of my shpmates, l should wrong him am
myself BOTH"
's'Then you will have yourself looked upon a
one who may be struck with impunity.'' .
A quick flush passed over the young mans fac
as the captain thus spoke, bat he was soon calm
81 mean sir,'' he returned, 'to give no one oc
ca sion to strike me; yet Bunkton struck me, bu
you can see he already suffers more than do.
Bunkton gave Caleb the lie, and again tried t
urge him into fight, but the captain interfere
and quiet was restored
From that time Caleb Baker was looked upo
by the crew as coward Al. first they taunte
him; but his uniform kindness soon but stop t
these outward manifestations, and the feelings G
the crew were expressed by their looks. Bunk
ton took every occasion he could find to ammo
the young man, for he had taken his oath that h
'swould have fight out of the coward YETI Th
rest of the crew might have let the matter pas:
had not Bunkton's continued behavior kept aliV
the idea of Bakers cowardice.
None save himself knew the great struggle
that went on in the young mans bosom; but b
, had resolved that he would not fight, except j
actual necessary selEdefence, and he adhered t
his principle. He reformed his duty faithfully
) and Captain Jacobs was forced to admit thu
though Baker was coward, he was good sal
, or.
Thus matters passed until the ship had double
the Cape of Good Hobe, and entered the India
Ocean. 1t was towards the close of day th'
had heen snltrv and onnressive that fitful breez