Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-01-13
THE CABIN BOY.
a sHrPxAsTER's STORY.

On my way across the Sound fell in
with two old sea captains-John Streeter
and Asa Morton-with with whom l had
some slight acquaintance. Capt. Streeter
was about three score, and had followed
the sea during most of his life. Morton
was considerably younger, but still sea-
man of much experience. The subject
of the abolition of fOgging in our navy
came up in course of conversation, and
Capt Morton expressed himself very de-
cidedly in favor of that time honored in
stitution, the cato -nine-tails.
L am not prepared to say remarked
Cap. Streeter, in reply, that the condi-
ton of our men-of-wars men will be in
every case benefited by the abolition OF
fiogging, though am sure that it might
be so. mean that the officers have it
within their power to do away with all
kinds of punishment. mean, of course,
for such offences as are usually punished
on shipboard.
For my part, returned Morton, Il
shouldn't care to take command of a ship,
if the power of punishing Iefractory sea-
men as l thought proper, were taken from
me-
Well said Capt. Streeter, l used
to think just so. In fact, there were but
few masters more passionate or severe
than was. Men used to run away from
me, and, on more than one occasion, my
life has been in danger from the violence
of men whom had abused. / used the
cat and the ropes end almost as freely as
used my tongue; and used to wonder
how it happened that always had the
luck to get such bad men.
When l was about forty years of age
took command of the ship Petersham.-
She was an old craft, and had seen full as
much service as she was capable of see
ing, with safety. But her owners were
willing 10 trust her We were bound
to Liverpool, and nothing unusual hap
pened until about the eighth day out
when we ran foul of small iceberg. Il
was early in the morning, before sunrise
and not above six or eight feet of ice wa:
above water, it ha,ing nearly all beer
melted in the warm waters of the Gul
Stream. l did not think we had sus
tanned much injury, for the shock wa
slight; but was very angry and gave
the lookout a severe punishment, withou
stopping to inquire whether he could have
seen the berg in time to save it.
Ny cabin boy was named Jack With
ers. He was fourteen years of age, an,
this was his first voyage. had takel
him from q widowed mother, and hal
promised her tbatI would see him wei
treated-that was, if he behaved him
SELF He was a bright, quick, intelligen
lad, but l soon made myself belve tha
he had an awful disposition. I fanciel
that he was the most stubborn piece Q
humanity I had ever come across.
made up my he had never been properl
governed, and resolved to break him il
told him I'd curb his temper before
had done with him. In reply he told m
that 1 might kill him if liked and
fiogged him with the end of the mizzer
top-gallant halliards till he could hardl
stand I asked him if he had got enough
and he told me might fog him more
/ wished it. telt strong inclinatio
to throw the boy overheard, but at til
moment he staggered back against th
mizzen mast from absolute weakness, an
left him to himself. When l ha
reasoned calmly about the boys dispos
ton, was forced to acknowledge that
was one of the smartest and most faithf
lads l had ever seen. When aske
him to do anything he would be off ike
rocket; but when roughly ordered hi
to do it, then came the disposition wi
,,-L,oh c0.,rJ f.,t.I.
One day when it was very near moo
/ spoke to him and told him to 60 bell
and bring up my quadrant. He W
looking over the quarter rail, and kne
he did not hear me, and the next time
spoke I ripped out an oath, and intimai
if he didn't move I'd make him..
I didn't hear We, said he, with an
dependent tone.
No words, said I.
I 'sPose ! can speak, he retortt
moving slowly towards the compani
way.
His looks, words and the slow, carele
manner in which he moved, fred me il
moment, aud grasped him by the c
lar