The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1855-06-07


his character that no crew could possibly
have been obtained had it been know
that he was 10 command The ship. II
was quick in his passion, ungovernabl
in his fury, relentless in his revenge
and utterly unconquerable in physica
strength. ! do not think that with clea
hands and an open deck, our forty mel
could have overcome him in a fight, 70
even the weight Of his massive fist would
have felled common man to the deck.
The owners introduced Captain Bunk
ton TO Thayer and myself. and he greeted
US with smile, but his smile was one o
defiance. After this the boat turned bael
for the shore, the owners going in her
and the captain then asked who had the
deck. Thayer replied that he had com
man1ed thus far,
'Then you may fill away, sir, the cap
tain said, 'and lei her course be southeast
by south. shall come up soon.'
He then called some of the men and
had his things taken down into the cabin,
and after he was gone, and the ship was
on her course, the men gathered together
and whispered their feelings upon the
sub bject of their commander. could see
that they were filled with apprehension
and any Jlhing but satisfied, and | could
not wonder at it, for they all knew him.
This is rather more than | bargained
for,' said Thayer TO me, after the yards
were trimmed, at the same time casting a
(uritve glance to wardy the cabin.
But what is 10 be done?' | asked.
4 shall do my duty,' was Thayer's
reply.
| made the same remark.
And, added my companion, 4 shall
try 10 avoid all difficulty. Ifthere is any
trouble, it shall be of his own making
This met my own views, and we ar
ranged it between US that we would be
respectful and obedient TO all just de-
mands, and if the captain went beyond
this, we would stand by each other in
Ilhe result.
ln the course of an hour Bunkton re.
turned 10 the deck. He had donned a
sea rig now, and he looked more stout
and savage than before. He cast his eyes
over evry part OF the ship, below and aloh,
and | could see that he was looking to
see how the yards were trimmed, and
the rigging on deck disposed of.
Il think our ship is good sailer,' he
remarked TO Thayer.
al think she Il the mate returned
Il see you hass sv6rything in neat trim
and in order, too, he resumed. i like
that. You may call the men aft, SIR
This was spoken very politely-too po.
lhely. The crew we're all called aft, and
after they were assembled the captain
eyed them for some moments in silence.
Wei, my men, he at length said,
we've started together on long voyage.
think you know your duty, You can
look at me SO that you may know me
whenever you see me. | am your com.
mander. think l know what a sailors
duty is. That's all.
This was all spoken very slowly and
distinctly, and as he ceased speaking, he
turned TO the wheel, and the men went
to their respective posts. Before night
the crew was divided into two watches,
and allthe necessary prelimineries made.
had the mid.watch, from midnight un.
til four o'clock, About one O'Clock Abe
captain came on deck. and after looking
about the ship he ordered me to call all
hands.
'For what?' asked |, instinctively.
'Never mind for what, Call them
felt my heart start at this, but without
further remark went forward and called
for all hands on deck and when turn,
ed | found that the captain had followed
me. The men came tumbling quickly
up, but OF course sume of them came up
growing and murmuring at being thus
routed out in fair weather just as they
had got fairly asleep, but when their eye;
caught the giant form of the captain they
were silent.
They are all up, sir | reported, as
soon as the last one came on deck.
Now look here, my brave lads sale
3unkton, Il generally like to knoy as
early as possible what kind of stuff I've
got 10 deal with. When you are called
again. you will please me by showing
yourselves little sooner-and you won
come up growing, either. Just remem
ber these two things, and you may save
yourselves from trouble. That's all
YOU may 60 below again.
Just then an old main.topman--a mar
between fifty and sixty-with gray hai
and flrrowed brow. made SoYne remarl