Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-09-14
IN A POWDER MAGAZINE.


We had not been ten DAYS at sea before
my mind misgave me, and began to dread
an unfortunate termination to our voyage,
for matters had gone wrong from the very
beginning. There had been trouble with
the crew, who seemed to have an idea that
perennial drunkenness was the proper state
of mems eXistence and who as long as a
sixpcnce lasted, obstinately refused to 90
on board, in many cases having to be hauled
from the wharf over the side like so much
suspended animation. Then when we had
been warped out into the river, and were
lyirg awaiting the Captain we found that
he lad been taken suddenly and violently
i'll, so that weeks delay followed, ending
in fresh appointment, and the coming ola
new Captain-a man of quiet, genial as
pect, whose presence seemed to augur ter
mination of our troubles, and he was wei
coined accordingly.
For q merchantmen outward bound is by
no means the paradise existing in the minds
of ardent school-boys, bitten with longing
for life at sea. Twenty tours hours of the
life on board and its discomforts effectually
sckened me; but then had chosen my
vessel for reasons ofeconomy, knowing that
every five-pound note would be, perhaps, Of
priceless value in my new home so made
up my mind not to be disconnected, but
to bear all that fell to my lot. | had taken
my passage to Buenos Ayres, with the full
intention of roughing it for some years to
come, and therefore argued that it would
be cowardly to turn tail at the first trouble
that fell to my share But really it was
trying work, in spite of the strongest
determination. The sailors were soon in
that pleasant state of respondent misery
which succeeds long debauch, and, as if
giving the unfortunate passengers the
credit of being the cause of their sufIerings,
lost no opportunity of visiting the said
suilcrings upon their heads. | SAID upon
their heads, but the feet as frequently
suffered, buckets Of water being dashed
upon them-of course accidentally-if we
vcntured on deck during holy-stoning times.
We came to grief too, over ropes, over the
slowing of cargo, and in a variety of ways
during those first days-our sea, going
friends looking upon us as an inferior race
of beings, whom, as lubbers, it was their
duty to afflict. But by dint of good
temper, this was all pretty well got over,
in time for the rough weather we en-
countered down Channel, and right away
across the Bay of Blscay sufficiently bad
to conline us all, sick and well, below
matches for many dreary day of pitching
and tossing, with the ships timbcrs groan-
ing and creaking to degree that seemed
to threaten falling to pieces.
Picture to yourselves, you who have not
been on ship board, gloomy, low-ceied
prison, with stout beams crossing every
here and there, the light stealing feebly
through the little windows, the air you
breathe hot, foul, and sitting, the hatch
above you battened down, so that, save al
special times, there is no communication
with the deck; and nearly every fellow
passenger either bemoaning his hard fate
or else groaning as he lies in the helpless
misery Of sea-sickness. think that if al
the miseries of rough voyage could bC
foreseen, those who take trips to far-of
lands would be greatly reduced in nun
bers.
A couple of days respite came at last il
the shape of fine weather: and in the rcac
ton produced by the bright sunshine, AM
free brisk air we breathed on deck, TIN
troubles of the past were forgotten. Thu
Captain still seemed all that was pleasant
but there was flushed and heavy look il
his countenance that | cid not like, ant
before long had another opinion upon thu
subject; for in conversation, | found tina
the second mate had been at the same schoo
as myself: and together we went over tn
old days and compared notes, as | wake,
the deck with him far into his watch.
The weather turned foul once more, Blu
this time through the mate contrived t.
stay on deck, when, to my surprise, ] foun
that the greater part Of the duty wa
shifted on to the chief mate, the Capta
seldom showing on deck.
"No, | don't think it's from cowardice,
said my friend to me, as we walked tn
deck that night, when the gale had some
what moderated. "0f course this is i
confidence"
nodded.
"Well," he continued, 81 don't know
what to make of him; sometimes | thin
he's mad, and sometimes that he is give
to drinking. How he got appointed to thi
ship, can't tell Mr.. Ray don't say any
thing. but he is one of those men VIII
think all the more and oil course he'll
particularly careful, lest the Captain shout
think that, as first mate, he is jealous be
cause the command was not placed in hi
hands," :,
No more was then said; but befor
many days had passed, we found ,t that t tn
man who had been intrusted with fin
vessel, valuable cargo, and, more tina
nil the lives of passengers and crew, wa
one of those unfortunate beings who, nc
content with the enjoyment OF the goo
things of this life, are in the habit .. Of hay a;
ing intemperate outbreaks, when the in
pulse to drink, commencing, perhaps wiz
The stimulants taken in some time OF peri