, 1863-03-19
The Real Hero.


away with those warmer and finer traits Of char
acter that mark the humane and generous lands
man. In this wise Isaac Jacobs sometimes lost
sight of true merit where it actually existed.
Among the crew Of the P0ntO on her present
voyage, was young man named Caleb Baker.
He had shipped only three days before the ship
sailed. He was slender framed man, with Q
fair, prepossessing countenance, light blue eyes,
and light brown hair. Though light in his build,
he was yet well stocked with muscle, and his mo-
tons were quick aud energetic His isappesrance
was calculated to predispose beholdsrs 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 the gangways, one Of the men, 9
rough, uncouth fellow, by the name Of Bunkton,
came along and gave the clothes-bag Of Baker Q
kick out Of bis way, thereby scattering number
Of things about the deck. .r..r
az 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. E|f
"They were not in your way"
"Do you mean to tell me lief"
al 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 be drew his bag in toward the
bulwarks.
"And don't you be impudent, neither" pro-
vokingly added Bunkton. ..
"Look ye, Bunkton, IL you've any business Of
your own, you'd better mind it."
"Eh, hubert I'll show 70 my business. Take
that"
As Bunkton spoke, he struck the young NAH
upon the face. The crew had most Of them
gathered about the place, and arrangements were
made for fight.
"Just come forward-come forward, and TIL
show 20 my business" cried BunktOn, bristling
about with his fists doubled up.
"A fghti 6ghtl" cried halEa-doeeu Of the
men. Don't stand that, Baker"
The young mans eyes had flashed % he re-
ceived the blow, and there was quick quivering
Of the muscles in his hands, but be made no mo-
ton to strike.
SAINT you agOin' to take ii upf" said Bunk
No. I want OOtAiuS - do Win. ~" ." 70
turned Caleb.
"Then you are coward!" 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 bis favor, for Bunkton was
q quarrelsOme fellow, and thev hoped Caleb
would fog him but when they saw hun quietly
turn away and resume his work. they, too, began
to taunt him.
"Whats all thisf" asked Captain Jacobs,
who was attracted to the spot.
The matter was explained TO him.
"Didn't resent it1" uttered the captain; look.
ing with mingled surprise and contempt upon
Caleb. "Why didn't you knock him down,
Bakery"
Because don't want to fight with any man,
SIR"
"And will you allow yourself to be struck,
and not resent Il"
81 will defend myself in case Of danger, but
will not so abuse myself as to engage in bru
tai fight when il can be possibly avoided. ! have
as yet done wrong to no man; but were ! to
fight one Of my shipmates, should wrong him
aud myself both"
Then you will have yourself looked upon as
one who may be struck with impunity."
A quick flush passed over the young mans
face as the captain thus spoke, but he was soon
calm. .. .......
IL mean, SIR" he returned, ITO give no one
occasion to strike me; yet Bunkton struck me,
and you can see that be already suffers more
from the effect OF Il than do"
Bunkton gave Caleb the lie, and again tried to
urge him into fight, but the captain interiered,
and quiet was restored.
From that time Caleb Baker was looked upon
by the crew as o coward.
At first they taunted him, but his uniform
kindness soon put stop to these outward mani.
festations, and the feelings Of the crew were ex.
pressed bY their looks Bunkton took every oc
casion no could 1nd 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 matter pass, had not
Bunkton's continued behavior kept alive the idea
Of Bakers cowardico.
None, save himself, knew the great struggle
that went on in the young mans bosom; but he
had resolved that he would not fight, except In
actual and necessary selEdeiense, and he adhered
to his principle He performed his duties faith
fully, and Captain Jacobs was forced to admit
that though Baker was coward, he was good
sailor.
Thus matters passed until the ship had doubled
the Cape OF Good Hope and entered the Indian
Ocean. Il was toward the close Of day that
had been sultry and oppressive, that ftful
breeze sprung up from the southwark II cau,e
in quick cool gusts, and the canvas only tapped
before Il.
ave are likely to have blow" remarked the
mate
"Not much, think" |" returned the captain. as
he took survey Of the horizon. This splitting
will soon die away, and ] think the wind will
then come from The West'ard. However, Il may
he well enough to shorten sail. You may take
in the t'gAllantsls and close reef the tCps'lS"
The order was quickly obeyed, and, as the
captain had predicted, the splitting gusts died
sway, but there was no wind came out from the
wesl'ard. Il grew dark. but no wind had come.
About ten o'clock those on deck were startled
BY q sudden darkening Of the stars. and they
s6W great black cloud rolling up from the
sOuthxsrd. u soon hung DER the ship like .
black pail, and The men began to Be frightened.