Squatter sovereign., 1857-01-06
95flistellaucolts'
ny AN OLD CONTRIBUTION.


The ship Farewell was not intended for
packet, though she had somr good ac-
corninodations. She Lad beea bailt origi-
rally fos the East India trade, but after a
while she was put on the Liverpool route.
In the summer of '42 took passage IN.
her; and some fifteen others. who were in
no particular hurry, and Eot over fond OF
steamships. also secured births on board
tie Farewel She WAS commanded by
Capt. George Samson, mar about forty
years of age, an expert seaman, good
navigator, and a gentleman. We started
on our voyage with a fair wind, and, for
while, all went on well. The accomm0da-
tions were good ana the fare excellent.
Among the passengers was a man who
recorded his name as Fiiz Eustaee Nc
Moran. He was not far from forty years
of age; tall, stout built, heavy looking
fellow, who dressed with scrupuious nice
tv, and walked about with an immense
swagger. His hair and wEiskers were
coIored, his face far from handsome, and
his frame loose and shaky. He wore an
cye-glass, and never appeared on deck
without his light walking stick. At first
glance. one might have supposed him to
possess considerable physical strength. but
come 10 examine him closely, and the mis-
take would be clear. Not only was he
loosely built, bnl much OF his size Of body
was made up of the cotton which the tail
or had pu, into his clothing.
Mr.. Fitz Eustsce NEcBIoran was not
long in making himself known. He had
fought hundred battles and been wound
| ed twenty-five times. He had served as
cavalry captain in Brazil, as a colonel in
Chill, and as mzjor in Texas, under
Sam Houston Besides all this, he had
fought tllirty-four due!s, and killed his
man" twenty-three times. He had pink
ed" four English captains, five English
ieutenants, two ziajors, four Mexican no.
sblemen. and private citizens ad .5inen.
He was not long in filing up tho meas
ure Of disgust which his ffs. appearance
ha.i besouen.
AT first, the bully had satisfied himself
with assuming airs, and telling his Won
dsriul stories; but al length he spread it
on more thickly. lie learned that his
companions on shiPbcard were quiet peace
able men, fsnd CT eass and comfort, and
sverse to conflict or turmoil. The Ersi
movement. On his part, which had any real
point to il. vas search for pistols; but,
strange AS it may seem, he could not find
any No; man on board had one. Ia
all the ship there was not 4 pistol. Atall
eyents, such was the result Of afcAIoran's
inquiries.
And now the bully came cut. He fair
ly spread himself" He commenced to
tell, not only What lie had done, but what
he could do, and wha, he might do, ifproy-
ocation were given. He twirled his cane,
stroked his beard. curled his moustache,
and locked uautterably savage. He seem
ed TO live in an element Of blood and bat
lie. He complained of such salneness
and inglorious idleness. If be couldn't
fight duel, or spill blood in some way,
he should hardly survive the voyage.
Why" he cried at the supper table
one evening, in a deep, gutterai tone, at
the same time giving his tea-knire flour
ish, :. to strike this point home to the heart
Of negro would give me sslne comfort
Aw, Captain, don't you suppose you could
possibly hunt up a p;wate !"
Hope not returned Samson. quietly,
g Hope nst g. uttered AfcMoran, with
another flourish. y hope ysn amt afraid.
BY 10y soul. can't survive at this rate.
sly blood is TOO hot. must cool it off in
some way !"
But this was not the worst. The fellow
made himself insuiferahiy annoying by
his continuous clustering and bullying.
At the table, he took the most comfortable
seat, seized upon the vietus!s without man
ners, and 10, unfrequently would he as
sumo a haughty, commanding tone 10 his
companions. No one wishei 10 make any
trouble with the fellow while he committed
no direct Insult; but he was fast yerging
upon that. He saw that the other passen-
gers rather avoided him, and he vainly
fancied that they feared hun. He could
moi adopt the thought that they despised
him. So he told the stories Of his battles
and dueis over again, and often intimaies
that very slight provocation would rnaks
IL q dead lnaa for buriei.''
T" Ohr' be uttered. :. what 3 sharns -