The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-07-16

and went back upon deck. Ina few hour
the surgeons worst fears we're realized; te
tanus came on, aud he died the following
morning in my arms fulfilled his las
request, aud his body was launched into tb'
restless ocean on the day before we reaches
Kingston. His man-of-war's lame, as th
scamen call it, when onc-a different from
their real one-is assumed for any reasol
that requires concealment, was James Wal
den, by which he was rated in the sbiP''
books. Next day, when bis effects, scanty
as they were, were put up for sale, i bougb
small prayer book, which / had offer
seen him use, for less money thau | bavt
seen few needles and little thread bring
at the mainmast Amongst all that he pos
sessed, there was not single scrap Of papeI
or anything by which i could be led Il
guess who he was On blank page of ths
prayer book there was written, in small
beautiful female hand, matilda Everard )
but whether it was written by the individual
he bad once mentioned in his sleep, or some
other, it was impossible to say.
We had spoken, on our return to Jamai
ca, several merchant vessels, 90 that the ac
count of our action with the French frigate
was before US. We were, accordingly, re.
ccived as conquerors-the sailors eompE-
mented in the streets, and our officers in
vited to all entertainments. As for myself,
| felt alone after the loss Of my friend, and
fretted little at the news Of peace not hav-
ing been yet received had not yet call
ed my fathers political sagacity in question.
II was now the month Of September our
frigate was once more, if possible, in better
trim than she was before the action we had
our water on board, and everything ready
for sea to cruise amongst the French
Islands. All was joy aud hope Of prize
money. We were to have sailed next morn
ing, when the accounts of Admiral Howe s
glorious victory of tie first of june arrived,
when all became a scene of excitement and
exultation. Salutes were fred every yes
sci was hung with as many flags as she
could muster, along her stays, from the
bOwsprit to the taffrail. Kingston was to
be Illuminated in the evening; and we re-
questcd leaye, and were allowed, to have an
illumination on board of our ship. My spir-
its recovered in some degree-every one
was of the opinion that the Republicans Of
France never could recover from the blow
they had reccivcd--my fathers prediction
was verl6ed-and | would soon be free and
at home. During the afternoon, wh ch was
as lovely as warm day in Jamaica can be,
all was hustle on hoard, each mess procur-
ing candles, and each striving who could
exibit the greatest number. The ingenuity
of one of our number was exercised on
Sohno empty barrels, which, with th"'r hot
tom pierced, filled with lights, and placed
opposite the portfolios, shamed the bottles
and candles Of the others, and gave US the
victory. Just before sundown, all was
ready. As soon as all the candles were lit,
every port was opened and our little frig-
ate and other ships Of war produced sight
truly cautiful-sitting upon the waters,
which reflected the glare Ike glowing fur
naces, and sending all around their so regu-
lar and intense beams. Meanwhile our
decks were crowded with dancers, who,
footing it away to the music of our fiddles,
exhibited, in the strange mixture of white
European and dark Kingston girls, all
brought out in full relief 10y the lights, one
of the most extraordinary scenes | had ever
seen. At late hour the lights were doused,
and all was as still as death and the reful-
gent vessels flOatcd a number of black
masses ,inder the moonbcams.
Next morning found us under weigh, and
the Island Of Jamaica sinking under our
stern | missed my friend sadly, having
formed no new intimacy for there was not
one on board, in my estimation, to supply
his place. lie had formed my mind for
higher enjoyments than could have been rel
ished or shared with me by any Of my ship
mates; yet VIC had on board mass OF tai
ent, in all its variety, dcbased, no doubt, by
evil passions and low dissipation. There
were, indeed, among us some rough but
honest, unsophisticated children of nature !;
but they were like jewels dug from the
mine, placed in package with fints, and
shaken on rough road, losing by attrition
their asperities, but taking no polish. A
few, too, there were who had, with care,
been bred by their parents for higher OBJ
jects, but had sunk from their station, by
vice and folly, even to lower level than
the standard Of our crew. had thus small
choice, and fell back on The memory Of the
pleasures | had enjoyed in the conversation
Of my friend We had been out from port
about three weeks, without seeing anything
save one or two Of our merchant ships, and
one from Liverpool bound to New York,
with passengers, from the latter Of which we
impressed SIX stout young men, who were
on their way for the New World. Such
arc the miseries Of war, that lib ,rty is in
vaded and all human ties severed by the
necessity it engenders. The case Of one Of
these young men was truly hard. lie was
OH his way to New York, to take posses
sion Of some property left him by an uncle,
who had died there the year before and his
intention was to remain and settle upon his
late uncle's farm. A few days before he
had left his native village, in Ayrshire, with
young woman whom be had long loved,
and at last married Their all had beer
expended in their passage money and out
ct, but young hope, love, and joy, were the
companions of their voyage, until our boat
under the command of our second lieutenant
appeared as the demon that was to put thes'
to flight. The crew and passengers were
mustered upon the deck, and many forced
from their hiding places, where they ha(
slowed themselves away below among th,
cargo. George Wilson (for that was hi
name), fearful for bis Jane. had remained
BY her side he was ordered into the boat
bis suppIications we're as nothing; and th
tears and agonies Of his young wife, if pos
sible, less. It is a fact worthy the consider
alton Of the philosopher, that the actions q
men, forced TO perform an unpleasant duty
a. L.n-r l.