The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-10-03
The Cabin Bov,

.=.. zfE The Cabin Boy z4r-zz"~
On the 25th Of April, in the year 738, a
fine brig named the Triton was preparing te
leave the port of Hayre, in order to 90 fishing
for cod on the coast Of Newfoundland Hel
captain, Giles Varenne, was a regular rough
hardy seaman, caring little whether the wea
ther was fair or foul. and accustomed 10 nayi
gate his vessel as well through fogs as through
sunshine. - z.>0S
The Triton's deck presented busy scene
All the crew were occupied in getting on board
and slowing away their sea-stock of wine,
brandy, salt meat, flour, lines, nets, hooks,
leads together with vast quantity of salt
Amid abundance of noise, hustle, and loud
talking, the long boat made her last trip from
the shore, and out of her there stepped on the
/ deck, with q timid, trembling air, boy OF
about twelve years old, He went up to sailor
who had just lighted his pipe. .sir'--he be-
gan, twisting pretty cap Of green velvet be-
tween his little hands. The rough sailor in
terrupted him with a loud laugh. r s.Ir ss.s4
ttSir, lndeed!' he repeated. ssMalandin.
What did dye want, young chap?','g Ar
"Do you want a cabin boy on board?" r
81 know nothing about it, you must go ask
the captain, there he is standing near the mast,
with the large pipe and bearskin coat a.
The child approached the person thus des-
cribed and before he could speak, the captain
exclaimed. ~ r...- f.rT ~ -... .r...- ..s .:
1'What do you want, you young scamp?'
"To be eabin-boy on board this vessel, y
replied the boy encourageously. s-4.9 ...-s
"Did you ever go a voyage before?'' r...
s'No, but think could soon learn my busi-
ness''' ....-..... III .-,.a,. +.... '';-zs
Bravo! Wha 5 your name?" n. Al Il ,a4
George IT q. n+.-..a.sa. ....r 81
Il am an orphan, replied the child, looking
down and blushing. - z-ssr s..r..s..,4a. g. r-
SO much the better!'' cried the captain.
"Here Maandin, take charge of this new cabin
boy. Secure the long boat and weigh anchor .
Captain, take care of the ,icebergs!' said
an old whte-headed sailor standing by. You
are setting out too soon. In my time, we used
only to begin buying our satin the middle of
May, and now we are only at the end of April -
Captain Varenne youchsafed no reply, but
continued to puff forth immense volumns of
smoke from his pipe, as he TRANQUILITY watched
the noisy process of weighing anchor. At
length the sails were set, and the gallant brig
left the port, amid the farewell cheers of those
on shore, while few prophetic voices shouted
aloud: 'tBeware of the icebergs, captain!-
beware of the icebergs!'' .....~ -..
On the first day very little notice was taken
of George, SO. he thought the life of a cabin
boy most charming one, but the next morning
the captain called him hastily, and gave some
order, which to him was unintelligble, the boy
hesltated, the impatient commander gave him
a kick which sent him to the other side of the
deck" George stood up amid the derisive
laughter Of the crew, red and furious more
from shame than pain, but when he began to
speak his mouth was.rudely stopped by the
mate, who threatened him with good ropes
ending if he attempted to say word Silent
submission was all that remained for the child,
but from that time how often would he creep
into some retired corner of the deck and weep
and watch the waves, and call softly on the
name of his mother. . 49,.
so you have mother?'' said the mate
Malandn, who overheard him one day. a. a~
"Ah, yes, and afather also, "replied George,
"and lefta them to become sailor. Oh, how
miserable am!'' 49,. --gg l=.3A ......-. ..- ..--
"You told the captain that you were an Or
phan." f., s...4 ..-..Y5 3. sssesa
Il told lie, for was afraid that if men
toned my parents l should be-sent back to
them, and now | am punished for it!''
''Then they don't know where you are,
George?" .s--zls i az,& ...
"No wanted to be sailor, and my father
would not consent, so took advantage Of his
and my mothers going for day to the coun-
try, and came on board here, as you know"
''And what makes you dislike being
sailor?'' s. 49, ..-.r-Gsr..g .rIG 8 ->.
.The blows and kicks that every one seems
to have right to give me- 4ops -a8 -. ~.
..Bah! a mere trihe. All that will only make
you hardy, boy. The sea is fine place
the true home for man!'' -a -egr.ase
"You mean for fish, Malandin.'a ~ r
IL. "Well, yes, for a fish, for Goldfish. hope
we shall catch plenty this season. fas
ooh, how I always longed to go cod fish
ing!'' exclaimed George. Il was quite baby
when first thought of it, aas:haag #.o A
'sTis rough work child" said the sailor, sha-
king his head, "hard, cold work, pursuing the
fish for months together through frozen sea
and beneath dark sky. Those who eat the
cod at home little know the sufferings Of those
who get for them. Only for a glass of brandy
now and then, we should perish from cold and
exhaustion" 5...o# ......... Fp -gaatI5
II wish Malandin, that now as you're not
busy, you would tell me all about it, al
w ell, Cllllu, QOu Il1Illu III l. uO. OH yc
down here next me. You must know that,
first OF all, we take strong lines of from twelve
to fifteen hundred fathom we fasten hook,
baited with a piece of cod. Then. by means
of light shalloys you see on board, we plant
the lines every evening all along the coast.
Next morning we draw up the lines, haul them
on board, and generally find number of fish
hanging from the hooks. Then every one sets
to work, some cut off the Gods heads, other
cut the fish. open, take out the entrails, and |
carefully place the roe and the liver in barrels.
From the latter a sort of oil is extracted, which
sells at high price on shore, as medicine for
sick people. Thank God! we seldom want any
physic on board ship, except an allowance Of
lemon juice and potatoes, to season our salt
Junk and biscuit Afterwards, the fish are
placed in barrow, and carried to the salter,
who spreads them out in the hold, the stomach
lppermost and salts them thoroughly with
'ort of wooden shovel. As soon as this is over
We clean the deck, and bait our lines afresh, to
,ave them ready again forthe evening, weather
And there's the whole process for