New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-11-25
A Scene in the Life of a Sailor.

Who connected with the commerce of Boston does
not know Jack Butcher, who was boatswain of the
cutter Hamilton seven years, when commanded by
the late Capt. Sturges? Jack is noble specimen
of humanity full six feet high, and well proper
toned; nimble as goat strong as horse, even
tempered as Toledo blade, kind as woman, but
courageous as lion; thorough sailor, an honest
man, he only wants religion to make him a salt
water saint. Jack is now about fifty years of age,
but does not appear to be more than forty, and,
with little currying and rubbing down, might pass
for thirty-fve. Some twenty years ago he be-
longed to a Boston ship, which was commanded nv
man who made it rule to fog every one of his
crew soon after leaving port as he could find
pretexts, for the purpose of breaking them in and
to make them feel that they had to do with cap
tain who would stand no nonsense. Having served
many years in ships of war, without even a repri-
mand, Jack was determined to give the new cap
tain no pretext to find fault with him.
Temperate in habits, respectful in language, and
master of his business, he managed to keen clear
of trouble, though he had seen every man on board
logged before the ship reached Canton. In stormy
weather, when the ship required extra skill and
strength to steer her, Jack was frequently sent to
the wheel when it was his watch below. Still he
obeyed without complaining, and was considered a
model man by the officers. But Jack carried his
head high, and when he answered the Captain,
though perfectly respectful. made him feel that he
had a man on board who did not tremble at his
look. Shortly after the ships arrival, Jack was
grating ringbolt on the quarterback. The Cap
| tain was standing over him. and said
Butcher, that work is rather clumsy" 81 know
it, sir and told the mate, but it can't be made
heater with this coarse Irvine. Give me finer Irvine
and I'll make it neat as it can be made.'' 'You
shall make it neater," cried the captain in rage
'with the Irvine you have got, or I'll fog you Will.
| can stand over you'll Jack rose from the deck
and facing the captain firmly, asked, "Have no
performed my duty manfully since have been OF
| board your ship?'' "Silence. SIR rejoined thu
captain: ~ will take some of that pride out of yo
before I'm day older. Walk into the between
decks and tell the mate to put you in irons =
| " Never!" exclaimed Jack in voice of thunder
| al defy you and all your mates, backed by tn
miserable ours you have logged to put me in iron
| alive" This was too much for the petty tyrant
He called for his pistols and ordered the mates t,
seize Jack, but Jack sprang forward and placing
| his back against the bow where he could not b.
| surrounded, waited the onslaught.
| The Captain advanced pistol i'll hand, but before
he was aware, Jack dashed upon him, wrenchet
the weapon from his grasp, and threw it overheard
then placing the point of knife against his breast
while he held him firmly with the other hand. sale
to the mate, who was taking deliberate aim ut hin
with another pistol and his finger on the trigger
'You pull and I'll shove-the Captain and shall
go to glory together" "Don't fire! don't fire y
| cried the Captain in terror, addressing the mate
then looking at Jack who still held the knife point
ed at his heart, said: Let me go, sir, and I'll gvt
| you your discharge, pay you your wages and three
months Consul's money. You're not a safe maj
to have in ship!'' Though tyrant, he was
man of his word, and Jack knew it; he let go
brought his clothes on deck, and in few hour
afterwards, was paid off in presence of the Ameri
can Consul.