The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-02-11

4nc Capt1iuS StOfy.
When I was about forty years of age
took com nand of the ship Perersham. She
was an old craft. and had seen full as much
service as she was capable of seeing with
safety. But her owners were willing to
trust valuable cargo in her, so would not
refuse to trust myself, Wew were bouni to
Liverpool, and nothing unusual happened
until about the eighth day out. when we ran
f,ul off small iceberg. 1t was early in the
morning. before sunrise, and not above six
or eight feet Of ice was above the water, it
having nearly all been melted in the warm
region Of the gulf stream did not think
we had sustained much injury, for the shock
was light; but was very angry, and gave
the look olt severe punishment, without
stopping to inquire whether he could have
seen the berg in time to escape it.
My cabin boy was named Jack Withers
He was fourteen years ofage, and this was
his first voyage. had taken him from his
widowed mother, and had promised her that
I would see him well treated, that was. if he
behaved himself Hs was a bright, quick
intelligent lad I soon made myself believe
he had an awful disposition finciel that
he was the most stubborn piece of humanity
I had ever come across. had made up my
mind that he had never been properly CAV.
erned, and had resolved to break him in
told him I'd curb his temper bsfore I'd done
with him. In reply he toll me that might
kill him fI liked and hoyged him with
the end Of the mizzen top-gallant halyards
till he could hardly stand. asked him if
he'd got enough, and he told ms might
fog him more If I wished to. felt rong
inclination to throw him overload. but at
that moment he staggered back against the
mizzen- mast from absolute weakness, AMI
left him to himself When reasoned calm
ly about the boys disposition, I was forced
to acknowledge that he was one Of the smart
est and most intelligent aud faithful lads
had ever seen. When asked him to do
anything he would be off like rocket; but
when I roughly ordered him to do it, then
came the disposition with which found
fault.
One day, when it was very near noon, I
spoke to him to bring up my quadrant. He
was looking over the quarter.rail, and
knew he did not hear me-; the next time I
spoke ripped out an oath, and intinatei if
he did not move I'd help him
81 didn't hear you," he said, with an in
dependent tone.
"No words" said l.
II suppose l can speak." he retorted,
moving slowly toward the companion
way
His looks, words, and the slow. careless
manner in which he moved, fired me- in
moment. and grasped him by the collar
.'Speak to me again like that, and T'n Aog
you within an inch of your life" said [.
you can fog away" he replied, firm
and undaunted as rock.
And did fog him eau mt up the end
of rope, and beat him till my arm fairly
ached but he never WINGED.
"How's that?" said [.
"The,e's little more life in me, you'd
better fog it out" was the reply.
And beat him again. beat him till he
sank from my hand against the rail; and
sent one of my other men for nv quadrant
When it came, and had adjusted it for OBJ
servation. I found that the sun was already,
past the meridian, and that | was too late.
This added fuel to the fire of my mliness.
and quickly seizing the lad by the collar,
led him to the main hatchway, and had the
hatch taken off then thrust hi a d,wn,
and swore would keep there till his stub
bornness was broken. The hatch was then
put on, and went into the cabin I suffer
ed q good deal that afternoon, not with any
of consciencs for what had
done, but with my own tenn ,er and bitter
ness. 1t made me mad to think that I
could not conquer that boy-that could
not break down his cool, stern opposition
But I will do it," / said to myself; "Fll
starve him into it, or he shall die under the
operation.
After supper went to the hatchway and
called out to him, but he returned me no
answer. At 10 O'clock called again, and
again got no answer. I might have thought
that the Hogging had taken away his senses,
had not sons of the men assured me that
they had heard him. not an hour before, talk
ing to himself I did not trouble him again
until morning After breakfast went to
the hatchway and called to him once more.
I heard nothing from him. nor could | see
him-I had not seen him since I put him
down there. called out several times, but
he would make no reply, and yet the same
men told me they had heard him talking
that very morning He seemed to be calling
on them for help, but he would not ask for
me. | meant to break him into it. Hell!
beg before he'll starve, I thought; and so
determined to let him stay there. sup
pose that he had crawled forward to the
forecastle bulkhead. in order to make the
sailors hear him. Some of the men asked
leave to 60 down and look for him, but |
refused, and threatened to punish the first
man that dared to 60 down.
at noon went again, and as hc did not
answer me this time, I resolved that ne
should come to the hatchwav and ask for
me. ere I went any more. The day passed