Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1863-04-21
TWO KINDS OF COURAGE
BI SYLvANTS COBB.

Not so many years since the good ship,
Pontu, sailed from Boston, bound to Suma-
ira. She was commanded by Capt. Isaac
Roberts. a goodhearted man, but in his
long career, beneath the trident Of &eptune
he had imbibed many Of those false ideas
prevalent among seamen, and had coH1e t.
look upon the sailors life as one which did
away wish those finer and warmer traits of
character that mark the humane and gems
erous landsmen. In this wise Isaac RIB
erts sometimes lost sight of true merit,
where 1t actually existed
Among the crew of the PontO, On her
present voyage; was yOung man named
Caleb Baker. lie was slender framed
man, with fair proposing counteuance,
light llue eyes, and light brown hair
housh LIGHT in his build, yet he was yell
stocked with muscll.., ard his motions were
qu'cK and energetic. His appearance was
calculated to predsrass behelGers ia his
favor.
One day, shortly alter the ship had left
port as Baker was busy about some Of his
own matters in one of the gangways, one Of
the men, a rough uncouth fellow by the
name of BunktOn came long and gave the
clothes bag of Baker kick out Of the way,
thereby scattering a number of things about
the deck.
Il wish you would be little careful said
Baker, as he moved to gather up his
things.
Then keep your things out Of my way
returned Bunkton.
They were not 10 your way'
DO you mean to tell me lie'
Il said my things were not in your way ,
And 1 say they were.' Now don't dis
pute me again.
Very well have it your own way calm
ly returned Baker, as he drew his bag in
towards to bulwarks.
And don't you De impudent nsither,' ad
ded BunktOn.
Look ye. EEInktou. if y. nave any bust.
ne OF your owH had better mindit.
Ell iuDber, show ye my business. Now
| take that.
As Runktan spoke, he instantly struck
Baker in the face. The crew had most of
them gathered about the place, and ar
rangements were quickly made for fight.
'IGst come forward, and I'll show ye
my business, 'cried BunktOn bristling about
| with his fists doubled up.
"A fight fightv cried half dozen
men. Don't stand that Baker.
The young mans eyes flashed, as he re-
ceised the blow, and there was a quick
quivering of the muscles in his hands, but
he made no motion as if to strike.
Amt you going to take it up, asked
BunktOn.
/ No; | want nothing 20 do with you re,
turned Caleb.
Then you are coward uttered Bunk.
ton, with contemptueus tone.
Young Baker calmly replied to the taunt
ard Bunkton became still more savage =
Those who know anything about ocean life
will understand the sentiment s of the rough
crew ueon such matters as the present.
They could comprehend but one kind oil
courage, and the moment that Baker re-
fused to fight they set him down as an ar
rant coward. At first they had been pre
possessed in his favor, for Bunk ton was a
| quarrelsome fellow, and they hoped CaIet
would aog 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 Jacobs
who now came up 81 -
/ The matter was explained to him.
/ Didn't resent it?' uttered the captain
looking with mingled contempt and suF.
prise upon Caleb.
From that time Caleb Baker was looked
! upon by the crew as a coward. None save
himself knew the great struggle that went
on 10 the young mans bosom, but be had
1 resolved that ihe'Would not fight except in
actual selt-detense, andhe adhered to bis
| principle. asa
i Thus matters passed until the ship doub
led the cape of Good hope, and entered the
Indian Ocean, 1t was towards the close oil
a day that had been sultry aud oppressive,