The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-04-06
The Ca bin Bow,

When l was about forty years Of age,
l look command Of the ship Petersham -
She was an old crab, and had seen full as
much service as she was capable of
seeing with safety. But her owners were
willing TO trust another valuable cargo iu
her, SO / wouldn't refuse 10 trust myself.
We were bound 10 Liverpool, and nolhiug
unusual happened until the eighth day
out, when we ran foul Of a small cberg.
1t was early in the morning, before sun.
rise, and not above six or eight feet OF ice
was above wafer, it having nearly
all melted in the warm waters Of
the Gulf Stream. l did not think we had
sustained much injury. for the shock was
light; bat / was very angry and gave
the lookout severe punishment, without
stopping TO inquire whether he could have
seen the iceberg in time TO escape it.
My cabin boy was named Jack Wilhers.
lie was fourteen years Of age, and this
WAS his first voyage. / had taken him
from widowed mother, and had prom.
sed her that would see him well treated
that was, il he behaved himself He
was bright, quick, intelligent lad. l
soon made myself believe that he had an
awful disposition. (anced that he was
the most stubborn piece OF humanity had
ever come across. l made up my mind
be had never been properly governed, and
resolved 10 break him in. told him I'd
curb his temper before | had done with
him. In reply he told me might kill
him if liked and tlosged him with
the end Of the mizzen-'op gallant haliards
ill he could hardly stand. asked him
il he bad got enough. and lie told me
might hoy him more if l wished it. !
felt strong inclination to throw The boy
vc,board, but at that moment he stag
gered back against the mizzen mast from
absolute weakness, md left him to him
self. Wien reasoned calmly about the
boys disposition, was forced 10 ac-
know ledge that he was one Of the smartest
ard most faithful lads had ever seen.--
When | asked him to do anything he
would be off like n rocket; but vixen I
roughly ordered him to do it, then came
the disposition with which found fault.
One dag, when it was near noon, !
spoke to him and told him to 90 below
and bring up my quadrant. He was
looking over the quarter rail, and knew
he did not hear me, and the next time !
ripped out an oath. and in,imated il he
didn't move I'd help him.
II didn't hear ye," said be with an in
dependent tone.
"No words" said l.
II s'pose | can speak" he retorted
moving slowly toward the companion
way.
His loose words. and the slow. careles,
manner in which he moved, fred me in 4
moment, and l graspcd him by the collar
"Speak to me again like that, and IN
Aog you within an inch OF your life. "
said |.
"You can fog away" he replied frn
and undaun,ed as rock.
And did fog him. caught up the
end Of the rope. and beat him until my
arm fairly ached but be never ever
WINGED
"How's ;hat?" said l.
"There's little more life you'd bette
fog out" was the reply.
And beat him again. beat him Ill
he sank from my hand against the rail
and then l sent one of the men for m,
quadrant. When il came and had ad
;. justed il for my observation, found tha
The sun was already past the meridian
and that | was loo late, This added fue
TO the FIRE Of my madness, and quickl
\. seizing the lad by the collar. led him t
the main hatchway and had the hate
taken off. then thrust him down, and
swore would keep him there ill hi
stubbornness was broken. The hate
, was then put on, and went into th
cabin. ! suffered good deal that after
noon, not with any compunctions for whf
y had done, but with my own temper an
= bitterness. 1t made me mad to thin
}. that could not conquer that boy-that
could not break down his cool, stern or
position. "But will do it," l said /
myself, "by the Heavens above, L
stsrve him into it, or he shall die in III
operation"
After supper went 10 the hatchwa
and called out 10 him, bat he returne
me no answer. So l closed the hate
and went away. At ten O'Clock calle
again. and again I got no answer.
might have thought that the fiogging ha
taken away his senses. had not some {
the men assured me that they had hear
him. not an hour before. talking to himsel
l did not trouble him again till morning
!. After breakfast went to the hatchwa
d and called out to him once more. hear
nothing from him, nor could SEQ him
/ had not seen him since put him dow