The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-06-30
MISCELLANY.
The True Hero.

where it actually existed.
Among the crew of the Ponto, on her pres
ent voyage, was young man named Caleb
Baker. He had shipped only three days be-
fore the ship sailed. He was slender framed
man, with a fair, prepossessing countenance,
light blue eyes, and light brown hair. Though
light in his build he was well stocked with
muscle, and his motions were quick and ener-
getic. His appearance ives calculated to pre-
dispose beholders in his favor
One day, shortly after the ship had left port,
as Baker was busy about some matters of his
own in one of me gangways, one of the men,
rough, uncouth fellow, by the name of Bunk
ton, came along and gave the clothes bag of
Mr. Baker kick out of his way, thereby scat
tering number of things about the deck.
i 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 were not in your way
do you mean to tell me / Hep
Il said my things were not In your way
And say they were. Now don't you dis
pute me again..
Very well, have it your own way calmly
replied Baker, as he dew his bag in toward the
bulwarks.
And don't you be impudent, neither pro-
vokingly added Bunkton.
Look We, Bunkton, if you've any business of
your own, you'd better mind it,
sEh, lubber? I'll show We my business. Take
that
As Bunkton spoke he struck the young man
upon the face. The crew had most of them
gathered about the place, and arrangements
were quickly mad for a fight.
Just come forward-come forward, and I'll
show We my business cried Buxton, bristling
about with his fists doubled up.
"A fight fight! cried half dozed of the
men. Don't stand that, Baker,
The young mans eyes had flashed as he re-
ceived the blow and there was quick quiver-
ing of the muscles in his hands, but he made
no motion to strike.
Amt you agoin' to take it up?' said Bunk
ton.
NO. / want nothing to do with you,' Caleb.
Then you are cowardr uttered Bunkton,
with contemptuous tone and look.
Young Baker calmly replied to the taunt,
and Bunkton became still more savage. Those
who know anything about the ocean life, will
at once understand the sentiments OF the rough
crew upon such matters as the present. They
could comprehend 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 quarrelsome fellow, and
they hoped Caleb would fog him, but when
they saw him quietly turn away and resume
his work, thex. too, began to taunt him.
What's all thisr asked Captain Jacobs who
was attracted to the spot.
The matter was explained to him.
Didn't resent IL uttered the captain look
ing with mingled surprise and contempt upon
Caleb why didn't you knock hIm down,
Baker?
Because don't want TO fight any man. SIR
And will you allow yourself to be struck
and not resent ftp
i will defend myself III case of danger, but /
will not SO abuse myself as to engage in bru-
tai fight when II can be possibly avoided /
have as yet done wrong to no man; but were
to fight one Of my shipmates, should wrong
him and myself BOTH
Then you will have yourself looked upon as
one who may be struck with impunity.
A quick flash passed over the young mans
face as the captain thus spoke, but he was soon
calm.
i mean sir he returned, to give no one oc-
casion to strike me; yet Bunkton struck me,
and you can see that he already suffers more
from the effects of it than do
Bunkton gave Caleb the lie, and again tried
to urge him into fight, but the captain inter-
fered, and quiet was restored.
From that time, Caleb Baker was looked
upon by the crew as a coward.
At first they tainted him, but his uniform
Kindness soon put stop to these outward
manifestations, and the feelings of the crew
were expressed by their looks. Bunkton took
every occasion he could find to annoy the
young man, for he had taken his oath that he
would have fight out of the coward yet
The rest of the crew might have let the mat
ter pass, had not Bunkton's continued beha-
vior kept alive the idea of Bakers cowardice
None, save himself, knew the great struggle
that went on in the young mans bosom: but
he had resolved that he would not fight, ex-
cept in actual and necessary selfdeience, and
he adhered to his principle. He performed
his duties faithfully, and Capt Jacobs was
forced to admit that though Baker was a cow
ard he was good sailor.
Thus matters passed until the shin had dom
bled the Cape of Good Hope and entered the
Indian Ocean. 1t was toward the close of a
day that had been sultry and oppressive, that
fitfui breeze sprung up from the southwark
1t came In quick and cool gusts, and the can
vas oniy tapped before it,
We arr likely to have a blow remarked the
mate.
Not much, Think returned the captain,
as he took a survey of the horizon. This
splitting will soon die away and think the wind
will then come from the west'ard. However,
1t may be well enough to shorten sail You
may take in the t'gallants'ls and close-reef
tops'ls.'
The order was quickly obeyed, and, as the
captain had predicted, the splitting gusts died
away, bnt there was no wind came out from
the westward. 1t grew dark, but no wind had
come. About ten O'Clock those on deck were
startled by sudden darkening of the stars,
and they saw great black cloud rolling up
from the southwark. Ii soon hung over the
snip ike black pail, and the men began 10 be
frightened. The captain was called but be-
fore he came on deck there came a crash as
though the very heavens had been rent asun-
der. The old ship trembled in every Joint and
huge ball of fire rolled down the mainmast
Another and another crashing of the light
ming came, and at length the electric light be-
gan to play about the ship in wild fantastic
streams
The mainmast is struck 7 shouted one of
the men. See where its head is shiveredv
All eyes were turned to the spot, and by the
next wild flash the men could see that danger
Gus havoc had been made with the mainmast
The cap was shvered, the starboard chock
was nearly Stripped of, and the trestlefrees
were quiyering. OF course the heavy top
mast was held in its place by the dubious tres
fietrees, ans the main top threatened every
instant TO come laundering to the deck. with
the long topmast and topgallant mast in its
company. Such catastrophe would prove
fatal TO the ship, and all were aware of il.
But while all hands were gazing at this an
other danger arose. The low rumbling sound
that had been muttering In the southwark had
escaped the notice of the crew. and ere they
knew it, the rushing, bowling wind was upon
them. The ship leaped like frightened stag
before the gale. The mate cut the maintop-
sail sheets, and the sail was clewed up. and the
ship got before the wind.
The lightning cloud was swept away. and II
was dark as Erebus. The wind howled fear