The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-12-02
From Ballou's Monthly Magazine
/ TIMELY SHOT.
BY ~. III. MACY.

In the summer OF lS5-, L found my
self adrift in New York, without employ,
ment. Times We're dull, and the ship in
which had arrived was to be laid up Tor
time. Having but few "shot in the
locker" | was up for almost anything in
the way of voyage, and cared little to-
ward which of the cardinal points [ steer
ed my next course, provided the business
were legitimate and honest.
In this frame of mind, was strollIng
along the waryes on the East River side,
having made inquiry at several shipping
offices without success, when my atten-
ton was caught by the neat appearance
of small barque, lying at the lower end
of pier [ took a turn down alongside
of her. and stood looking idly at the
stevedores taking in her lading, when a
hand was clasped smartly on my shoul-
der, and another extended to meet my
own.
"Why, how are you, Gorham ?'' said a
hearty voice. ''Where have you been
drifting these last fifteen years" ?"
| had some little difficulty in making
out, from under their hirsute covering,
the features of Joe Calder, whom l had
not met since we were both boys at
school. [ greeted him heartily, how
ever, though [ did not attempt to give
complete answer to his question. 1t
would have taken some time to relate
the story of my fifteen years wanderlpgs,
or of his. either.
''Out of employ, just now?" he asked.
Yes
"Southerly wind in your pocket
book ?''
"Well, it S veering towards that quar-
ter.
Come, what'll you take to go mate of
this barque? She's my first command,
and will be ready for sea in three days.
] haven't shipped any officers yet.
(Which way are you bound !! L ask
Coast of Africa-Gambia Ri7er-and
so on
'sPalm oil?" said I.
mostly palm ola picked up voy-
age"
"She's ine-looking craft l observ-
ed, quite willing to consider the offer ia
vorably, but hesitating little about
closing with it.
"Come, let's go aboard, and take a
look at things inside" he urged.
We did SO and, if [ was pleased with
her appearance from distance, L quite
fell in love with her when | inspected
her internal arrangements. By the time
/ had made the round of her deck, and
taken look at her cosy little cabin, l
had almost made up my mind to ship.
"What cargo are you going to take
out?" [ inquired.
Yankee notions" said Calder, care
lessly. Tobacco and rum-lumber and
slops-and SO forth Come, go up with
me to the agents office. Make up your
mind what wages you will go for, and
there'l be no difficulty about it. If say
want you, you'll be shipped without
many questions.
[ feared, when | named my terms, that
they might be thought exoribltant. as
seamen were pleanty and ships scarce !;
but a word in an undertone from Calder
to the agent made all satisfactory, and IN
a few minutes after entering the Office, L
had affixed my sign manual to the papers
of the barq ue Bloonaer, for voyage to
the west coast of Africa, and had the ad-
vance money in my pocket.
| went on board the next day, and
took charge of bending sails and getting
the barque in rediness for sea. 1t was a
new and strange voyage for me, for | had
never visited the African coast. l knew
it to be a sickly place, but Calder, who
was an old stager there, assured me there
was nothing to be uneasy about on that
score. We would take good clre OF our
selves when we got there, aud let the
Kroomen do all the work.
There were only six seamen before the
mast, he said and as six reported them
selves the same day that [ took charge, L
thought our complement was full. But
the evening we were going to sail, six
more came on board with the captain; l
asked him if all those were members OF
our crew? Yes" said he, Il represent
ed to the agent taat l thought the yes
sci very short handed, considering her
spread of canvas. And finally, L brought
him over to my way of thinking. We
shall be able to handle her easily with
twelve men before the mast, eh. Mr.
Gorham?"
thought so, too; and 1t occurred to
me that he must have very accommo-
dating owner to deal with. 1t would not
have been strange had one or two men
been added to our force at the captain /.
solicitation; but that the number should
he doubled struck me as being little
odd, to say the least.
had little knowledge of Captain
| Calder's history since we were school
mates. knew that he had sought his for
| tune at sea, like myself and he had tolo
me when shipped. that he was tamllia
with the African coast.
But we had not been many days at SCI
before had strong suspicion that tn
ostensible object of the voyage was ia
different from the real one. The iarg'
accession to our crew at the very hour o
sailing gave the first impulse to n.
thoughts in this direction; and varlou
circumstances occurring after we were il
blue water tended to increase my surpris
and uneasiness. The lumber which form
ed part of the cargo appeared to hav
been cut or selected with view to SOM
special USE The six last-comers, learn
ed, we're all old acluaintances of the cap
tain, and sailed with him before which
| to mt n in n mild form. was a coincl