The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-07-09

the day advanced, my interest began to in
crease, and formed few friendships with
my fellows. One of these, young seamen
who had been impressed few days before
out of West Indiaman, was of vast service
to me, in giving me instruction how to con.
duct myself, and allowed me to sleep with
with him. l had left home without one
shilling; was provided with nothing, and
must remain so until rated in some ship
after we reached the More.
No person who has not seen, can conceive
the scenes of wickedness and folly that are
acted on board of tender, where all are
crowded together with no regular messes
formed, and no routine Of duty laid down
to engage the mind or dispel the tedium.
The careless act their parts. but the thoughts
are forced in upon the serious thinker
Some sat in deep abstraction, unconscious Of
all that was passing around them, fetching
q deep sigh occasionally, and looking
mournfully at their mates others were
walking backwards and forwards, with q
restless cast of oountenance, like q Gagged
animal while here and there were small
groups, deep plunged in the excitement Of
gambling for small sums, and swearing
over their well-thumbed dirty cards others
were carousing in secret, with ardent spirits,
brought secretly on board, by boats which
were continually arriving from or departing
for the shore with the friends of those on
board and very many passed their time
listlessl leaning over the netting, gazing
upon the shore they were so soon to see,
perhaps for the last time, yet caring not
whether they ever saw it again or not. At
length the boatswain piped to weigh anchor.
The foresheet was shaken out, and we stood
down the Firth. AS the shores receded
from us, some became more sad, but the
greater number seemed as if load had been
taken from their minds. As tor myself |
felt my spirits increase as we gallantly
bounded over the waters.
When We reached the More, /, along with
several others, vas draughted into frigate,
which had received orders to sail for the
West Indies. As soon as | was rated, re-
required, which was placed to my account to
be deducted from my wages. / felt my
importance much increased as l put on my
new dress and got my station on board /;
yet qualm of disappointment came over
me as l thought of the distance was to be
carried from home, and l began to doubt if
| could return to Scotland before winter,
when the peace l had anticipated would
take place. My sailor life presented many
features that belied my expectations. At
this time wsEship was managed in the most
tyraunical manner, BY the caprice Of the
captain and first lieutenant The rattan Of
the boatswain was in constant play; and it
often seemed as if be struck the men more
for his own qualification than their correc-
ton. Standing at the foot Of the rattlins
when they we're ordered aloft, be invariably
struck the last, whether in ascending or de-
scending. This was to make them look
sharp. The same course was followed in
regard to every duty to which he called
them; and a dozen or more of lashes were
often given for what the most microscopic
eye could not have detected as a fault: sbe
cat was seldom out of use, and never day
passed without several punishments. A
chit of midshipman, if he took an umbrage
at a man, would order him to stand while
he mounted a gun-carriage to strike him
about the head or face !; and if the gallant
fellow moved on, he was reported to an
officer on duty as mutinous, tied to the
grating, and received dozen or two. Our
provisions too were very scanty, and not Of
the best quality while a complaint would
have been mutiny. Before we reached the
Island of Jamaica, custom overcame disgust.
| saw, besides, that it was the rule of the
service-ofhcers were not, in their station,
better of than the men midshipmen were
cobbed or ordered aloft with as little com
junction or inquiry as the men were f1ogged
The only individual on board who stood
not in fear of some other alongside was the
captain yet be feared the admiral, and the
admiral crouched to the Lords Of the Ad-
miralty, who succumbed to the ministry,
who crouched to the king; and, as lands
man on board a man-ofwar, all being in a
circle, | was next to him again to complete
it. The whole | saw to be an intricate
system Of coercion and discipline and I
submitted with all the cheerfulness could
but there was a messmate of mine, who
claimed the sympathy disregarded. Poor
James am to this hour sad when | think
of him. Who or what be was / never
knew; for bis years, he was the best learned
and most intelligent person have ever met
with in the world. Every genteel accom-
plishment was his. About two years my
senior, he was an age in advance of me ;
and looked up to him with a reverence l
have never felt since for any human
being, as we have sat on gun-caariage,
listening to the knowledge that flowed from
his lips, and which he took pleasure in
imparting to me. Thus, when it was not
our watch, he stored my mind with truths
and information, both ancient and modern,
the benefit Of which feel even now. An
exquisite draughtsman, he taught me the
rudiments Of the art, and practice has done
the rest. Yet be was as secret as the grave
as to the cause Of his sorrows; and though
be knew that l wished to be acquainted with
bis history, not through idle curiosity, but
to console him, if in my power, he Stunned
the subject. That he was born to a rank
far above that in which knew him, both
the officers and the men allowed. He was
prompt in bis duties from an innate sense Of
honor and there was lofty bearing in all
be did-not the effect Of an effort, but Of
natural impulse-that extorted the rest Of
bis shipmates though, of all men, sailors are
the quickest at perceiving popularity Of
character among themselves, and an appro-
pirate sobriquet is generally the conse-
querce. To his officers be was as politely
humble as the strictest rules could require
but this manner was so different from the
uncOuth and crouching humility Of the other