The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1871-03-24

1
comfort to reeiproeate his dislike,
which seemed to grow into intense
lhate as our voyage progressed. At
times his passions would gain such
mastery over him as to dry up the
very fountain of human sympathy.
But we had men on board who were
not disposed to cringe before an Off
Ger who, in the Captains presence,
was a gentleman, but behind his
back was like a ramping lion, a YER
table tyrant.
When a week from Melbourne, we
were assailed by sqnally weather,
and so suddenly would it rush upon
us that all hands were frequently.
called toshorten sail, and often be
fore the hands descended from aloft
they would be reset and hoisted.
/ Seaman cannot be called a reason
ing class of people, for, if they once
suspect that certain rounds Of duty
are unnecessary, grumbling and NUT
tered threats may be expected; and
in the present instances they could
not be blamed for resenting manifest
abuses offered. At least, they claim
ed one unimpeachable right, viz:
the right the growL One evening,
| in the second dog watch { (between
six and eight, P. NJ, while the First,
! Second and Third officers were pac-
ing up and down the quarter deck,
the Captain below examining his
charts, and the seamen forward in
duIging in song singing, overheard
one of the toughest exclaim-
aBoys, that bloody Mate on the
ia iarter deck struts about like the
peacocks we used to see in SIAM
/ was sure that the officer who
figured in the contrast overheard
the remark, for when the speaker
. was greeted with hearty applause the
steps on the quarter deck became
slower. as if half disposed to NOV
forward. Again was heard thu
"You, SILVER my timbers, ship
mates, he'd make bully figure-hea'
for the Flying Dutehman's phantom
/ ship"
That's so, Bill" said another
!, @his nose would make a first clas
4 fixed light off Cape Good Hope, bu
!; what would you do with his body
/ "His body! o that would float tn
Ibows when in heavy sea, it's ful
of gaseous substances, you know"
This sally of would be wit wa
greeted by rounds of applause, bu
e the officer did not appear to enjoy i
: for turning sharply to me he growle'
Z out
"Quartermaster, go forward an
see what the d. ar
: llaughing about"
"Mr. Tonnice," I answered, SIN.
: duties, I think, sir, do not includ
those of a white mouse"
"You think, eh! well, who shippe
| yoasto think?'
; My duties, sir, as quartermaste
even you should respect"
So saying, I walked aft to avoi
any more words, for 1 knew tbs
: Tonnice would not order me ava
from my place, near the helmsmal
He turned to watch my movement
= . a few moments, then ordered tt
! boatswain to pipe all hands af
2 They came, and / believe to this da
they came resolved to fight their o
7 fieers. The Second and Third Mate
I were men of some noble, gentleman
i ly attributes, but under the eyes {
the chief executive they appeared t
5 be tarred with the same brusI
They had caught his supercilliou
! airs and would often spin off some {
his long, familiar oaths as their owl
The men ranged themselves bt
fore Tonnice, with the best men /
: front allowing a huge fellow-wh
had strayed from Gay Head, NantuC
ket, part India, to stand a pace c
two in advance. Behind him wa
J a formidable crew acquainted wit
diversified life. Two of them ha
: hunted wild BEASTS in southern Afr
l ca; one had commanded a noble shi
! lin the East India trade, but rum an
cards had crushed him back 10
! common seaman's position; anothe
: had lived twelve. years of an excitin
l life among the watlike Moaries c
New Zealand; seven sineway, swi
! limbed fellows had been known q
pugilists in Sidney, Melbourne an
5 ADELAIDE; altogether they made up
y band of men not easily intimidate
y by a person who had imprndcntl
7 earned their detestation. / saF th
= officers putting on their steel knuel
lies, while one of them placad hi
:, in his bosom. l knew that he ca
y ried revolver and would use it
occasion offered a chance. HO'
Il Fonnice opened his business wit
. the hands l could not hear, for, whe
all hands were called aft the he'll
man asked to be relived for fe
! minutes and I was steering; but ma
= ter had not fairly ripened into blow
before the Captain came boundin
I to the poop deck and fairly shoute
L "go forward men, go forward!'' The
y calling his officers one side, I coul
. hear his commands laid down wit
y an emphasis that poorly suited hi
. beligerently inclined mate. "Her,
J, AFTER" said he treat them as mel
y and not as beasts, then if you al
7 insulted by them report to me.
I That night our Third mate wa
: seized with a disease which unftte
Il Il him for duty, and 1 was ordered t
Il fill his place. There were those
u the forecastle far better qualified t
u succeed him than l was, but the con
Ie mander feared to put either OF the1
n where Tonnice would be much q
le their mercy. Sometimes we coul
e. hear threats of what they purpose
5, DUNG to him when they landed, bu
q as the days wore along a better IN
]. derstanding grew up between theI
i; all. 1t was well that such was th'
" case, for the hour of awful peril wa
q approaching, the doom Of that Shl
/ acaS sealed.
CHAPTER II.
"a THE STORM AND sHIPRECK.
,. JVbor sovantean davs from on