Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-03-11
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Not many years since the good ship
Ponto sailed from Boston, bound to Su-
matra. She was commanded by captain
Isaac Jacobs, a good seaman; and a natu-
ally good hearted man; but in his long
career beneath the trident Of Neptune
he had imbibed many of those false ideas
prevalent among seamen. and he had
come to look upon the sailors life as one
which necessarily did away with those
finer and warmer traits Of character that
mark the humane and generous lands
Hlan. In this wise Isaac Jacobs some
times lost sight of true merit where it
actually existed.
Among the crew Of thesPonto. on her
present voyage, was a young man named
Caleb Baker. He had shipped only three
days before the ship sailed. He was a
slender framed man, with a fair prepos
sessing countenance. light blue eyes, and
light brown hair. Though light in his
build, he was yet well stocked with mus
Gle, and his motions were quick and ener.
getic. His appearance was calculated to
predispose beholders in his favor.
One day. shortly after the ship had left
port, as Baker was busy about some mat
tiers Of his own in one OF the gangways,
one Of the men. a rough uncouth fellow,
by the name Of Bunkton, came along
and gave the clothes bag of Baker a kick
cut Of his way thereby scattering a mum
Der of things about the deck.
Il wish you'd be careful" said Baker,
as he moved to gather up his things.
"Then keep your things out o my
way" gruffly returned Bunkton.
They we're not in your way"
" Do YOU meansto tell me I lie T"
81 said ny things were not ia yeur
way"
And I say they we're. Now don't
YOU dispute me again."
Very well-have it your own way"
calmly replied Baker, as he drew his bag
in towards the bulwarks.
"And don't you be impudent, nei-
Their" %provokingly added Bunkton.
Lock ye, Bunkton, if you've any bust
ness. Take that"
AS Bunkton spoke, he struck the young
man p o the face. The crew had most
of them gathered about the place. and
arrangements were quickly made for a
fight.
Just come forward-come forward and
I'll show yc my business cried Bunk
ton, bristling about with his fists doubled
up.
A fight! a Gght!" cried half a dozen
Of the men. "Don't stand that. Be- =
The young mans Eeyes Fad flashed az
he received the blew, and there was a
quick quivc1ing of the muscles in his
hands, but he made no motion to strike.
amt you going to take it up" asked
Bunkten.
tNo. / want nothing to do with you,7
returned Caleb.
Then yon are a coward!' uttered
Bunkton, with a contemptuous tone and
look.
Young Baker calmly replied to the
taunt, and Bunkton became still more
savage. Those who know anything about
ocean life, will at once understand the
sentiments of the rough crew upon such
matters as the present. They could com
prehend but one kind OF courage, and the
moment that Baker refused to fight, they
set him down as an arrant coward. At
FIRST they had been prepossessed in his
favor, for Bunkton was a luarrelsome
fellow, and they hoped Caleb would fog
him: but when they saw him quietly turn
away and resume his work, they began
to taunt him, too.
What's all this ?" asked Captain ia
cobs, who was attracted to the spot.
The matter was explained to him.
Didn't resent it 2" uttered the captain,
looking with mingled surprise and con-
tempt upon Caleb. WHY didn't you
knock him down. Baker !"
because I don't want to 6ght witt.
any man, sir"
And will you allow yourself to be
struck, and not resent it p
81 will defend myself in case Of dan
ger, but | will not SO abuse myself as to
engage in a brutal fight when it can be
possibly avoided. | have as yet done
wrong to no man; but were I to fight
one of my %shipmates, ! should wrong him
AID myself both"
@Then you viii have yourself locked
upon as one who may be struck with IN
punity."
A quick flush passed over the young
mans face as the captain thus spoke, but
he was soon calm.
~ mean, SIR he returned, 4" to give nc
ore occasion to strike me; yet Bunkton
struck me, but you can see that he al
READY suffers more from the effect of
than I do.p' s
Bunkton gave Caleb the lie, and again
tried to urge him into a fight, but The
lcaptain interfered and quiet was re
Istored,
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