The workingman's advocate., 1871-06-24

\ Oertns were SO ul1ncult to be lad when |
left home, and told Captain Waugh 40
but be refused to let me leave the vessel
for ne had not many good seamen in his
crew and having signed the article for
the whole voyage, did not choose to forfeit
my wages thus dearly won-so I at once
made up my mind to return, and thought
nothing more of it. We remained here
for seven weeks before the captain got all
his business settled, during which time |
would have wearied very much, had il not
been for little Billy, who was seldom from
my side. AS | vert very little ashore, be
preferred staying with me to going even
with the captain, who was as we'll pleased
at the choice, as his sole object was to be
well spoken of by the boy to his father
when he returned to the coast, that he
might have the favor Of old Bonnyface,
who was king Peppel's chief minister, and
had greater influence with him than any OF
his other favourtes
Billy himself was one of the sweetest
tempered and smartest boys Of his age
ever saw, but irascible to madness at the
least atfronl from any one for his nature
had never tean subject to the least train
Ing, aud his passions were under no control.
Ills countenance was the true index Of his
heart ; and If any OF the men intentionally V
gave him Otfense, his large black eyes
would flash in an instant, he would spring
at them like tiger, to tear them with his
tech, and it would be some time before we
could ct him appeased but, when the
rage died away be would shink no more Of
it, nor would he complain to the captain,
as he knew that the man would have been
punished. However, it was only when
some Of tho crew returned on board the
worse Of liquor that they ever meddled
" ,th him for otherwise there was not
man in tie ship but would have soon
tnvush ht OF " r;.5 overheard, as giving him
the slightest OIieuse.
''Bllly be- an to weary to get under way
as much as myself; and when | asked
hun why be was o anxious to get to Brit
an, b. replied, simply
II much ant To make book speak
Yuo make book speak. Dad Robion, and
all white man make book speak Dat
gives much power, dat make big man-so
ne wish to make book speak,
II am happy" said ''to hear you say
50. Wnl you learn if | teach you, Billy,
while We lie here 1t will be 50 far good
for you that you will not have to begin
when we reach Britain"
"a ou make my heart glad, be replied,
y an t.asl,. All Loot N
ton, me never ink but what you say"
Aud be threw his arms round my neck.
| was much affected, and seriously
thought about what had undertaken fur
t1ele were many difficulties 70 surmount
the greatest Of which was the want OF a
proper bOoK to begin with. There was
no such thing on board 50 | cot from
the carpenter a smooth board, and formed
the letters, telling him their names, aud
giving them TO nun to form alter me. This
be toON the utmost delight ID, anI learned
amazingly fast, for be was ever at his board
ana before We lett the I,Iaiit, lie knew words
ot one aud two syiables ID my took Of nav
CATION. The only one had, save my pocket
Bible, which be took great delight TO near
I, e read-puttIng occasionally such puz
cling questions to me as made me blush.
w hen told him It was the book of The
white mans religion, be used to shake hs
head, and say
Me no tlnk dat for white man swear,
white man steal, be drink over too much,
b. DO what booA say no Low datI I"
Il felt it quite Impossible from what he
saw 10 our crew, and what he had seen Of
the other white men at Bonny 10 make him
believe that white men had any rule of con-
duct but their own inclnatlOns and ava
rice. | sighed, and gave up the task for
what Is instruction or prccept 10 an inge-
nous mind, without example and our pro
lesslon is belIed by too many around, who
acknowledge and claim the faith as theirs
by word, and yet give it the lie by their
actOns.-At length W sailed, and reached
Kings Road, on the lst Of January, 1889.
l was so fortunate as 10 Let berth, as
mate, on board West lndlanman, which
was taking her cargo on board Billy was
meanwhile, put 70 school, and | saw him
every evening, at Bis request, and by Cap
tain Waushs leave. W hen he heard /
w.s going TO leave Bristol, aud not to 60
back to the cOIst ID the Queen Charlotte
again, be wept, aud impoItuned me, in the
most moving terms, to 70 to Bonny with
hlm, where be would cause bis father to
give NE as many slaves a. pleased, and
be would send his own people to get them
for me. | WIS yexed to part with HIN,
and did what | could to soothe him before
my departure but still | left him discon-
sOiate. once more left Bristol in tue be-
ginning ot L EebrCary, ami had fine run to
Jamaica, where | left the vessel with tie
consent Jf my captain, having made an ex-
change with lad belonging 10 Bristol,
wIo was mate in an American trader, and
wished to get home, as be did not keep bis
health well IN these climates and, as he
was an acquaintance Of the captain all
parties were agreeable. | now continued
Tor several years ID the carrying trade be
tween tie different islands and the cont
nent Of America, saved money very fast,
purchased a shire Of large bri :, and
sailed her successfully a. captain. The
war was nov raging between Britain and
the French Republic but it did not affect
ny prosperity, for, being now naturalzed
American, my snlp and papers were a
passport TO me, and | sailed unmolested By
the fleets and prlvateers Of both nations.
But nv heart was British, and rejoced il
the superiority she held At sea, as # | bad
been 10 the British service, and fighting for
my country. For ten years everything
had prospered with me. thought myself
ch-tor never was avarIcious-and had
some thoughts Of returning to Edinburgh,
when the failure Of a mercantile house II
ChArlestown reduced me once more to a
couple Of thousand dollars There was no
use Of frettng ! had all to do over
again, and to DO it set. Il am yet tot
an old man, and, if am spared "a few
q .-,A ~.