The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-06-17

Of liquor for it, when he went below to sc
cuIe them for the night Before they wer
turned below, they were carefully searched
lest they had concealed nail, or any bI
OF iron, in their bekka, or little bag, b
which they might have been enabled Il
undo their chains and in the mornings
their irons and berths were carefully e1
amined But what availed our care AM
attention, where sickness and deaf
reigned triumphant 2 Never a day pssse,
but one or two were thrown overheard
some days three and, during our run t
St. Vincent, of six weeks, we lost out Q
a cargo Of four hundred, one hundred ant
twenty. Two Of the crew also died, and
myself was given up for death by the cap
tam; but, contrary to bis and my own e
pectatiOn, | recovered rapidly. After
began to get convalescent, l had picked ~
few OF the poor creatures words, anC
did my best, weak as | was, to relieve thei
wants, which were very urgent. The cap
tam from the very first, when be observed
my dislike to the service bad engaged in
and tie pity expressed in my looks, tolC
me to take it easy, for that would soor
get accustomed to it. But l never could
Their complaints and piteous means ceased
not, night nor day. Although they were il
the night confined below, and the crew bad
slung their hammock on deck, under 8
spare sail, or anywhere they thought they
would be most out Of the sounds, still thelu
meanings disturbed our sleep. Vain was
the threat, 'Nappy becca- -paum paum,
(be quiet, | will beat you, and the cat
shaken at them. 'Eerie cucoo' am sick
plenty was the reply. 'Blea de de biea' |
want the dOctor) sounded from every part
but 'Biea menie' / want water) was the
constant cry at all times-yet We We're lib
eral in our allowance, and constantly sup
plying them with it.
We gave them hot tea, when sick, made
of pepper and boiled water, which they rel
lshed very much, crying often-'Biea de
biea Ocko menle-eerle eerie cucoo' (I
want the doctor and hot water-I am very
sick). This would often be repeated from
twenty voices at once, in their soft plain
tive manner Of speaking, as they gathered
confidence from the time they had been on
board. AS long as they we're able to move
we forced them to the deck but we in gen.
eral found them dead il the morning, when
We went below to send them up. Often
did tie companion Of the dead man s chains
teign death, to be thrown overheard with
hlm ; but the cat was always applied to test
him, and be was kept alive against bis will
All this happened oftenest within the first
fortnight or three weeks; for, by the fourth
week, We had gained their confidence liz a
great measure, and their fears had worn oil.
The captain custom was, when be found
any of them cheerful, and apparently easy
in mind, to take of their chains, clothe
them ln pair Of trowsers and frock, and
give them charge over their fellows.
Then they heeamO proud, and stalked over
sae deek like adEFrafS-aDd nokases-s
aiHss. e -slse the "a. tha--ti.-rsrr envying
those whom they saw dressed and trusted
SO that, before We reached the end of the
voyage, they were all, except some lndom-
table spirits, clothed and walking the deck.
Though still strictly watched, we allowed
some Of them to 20 aloft and they soon be-
came useful, more especially the boys, who
before they left the vessel, were, some Of
them, no despicable seamen. W ben freed
Of their irons, and dressed, if they got the
loan OF Iasor, or even a piece OF broken
bottle, they would shave, aud cut their halr
IN their own fashion, and become if possl bic
more vain and proud Of their appearance.
In the middle Of this heart rending misery,
at least to me, there was one ray of light
that enlivened the gloom. We had on
board Of US son Of Bonnyface, the prime
minister or chief favorite of King Peppel.
lie had been intl usted to Captain Waugh,
as a great favour, to take him out to Eng
land for his education, and we were to take
him out again next voyage. Billy Bonny-
face acted on board like ministering angel
He was sweet boy. and Of great service
to the captain, in soothing and giving con-
tidence to the slaves, and attending the sick
He felt most acntely for their distress, and
was constantly pleading with the captain for
some little comfort or other for them-the
tears streaming down bis ebony face, in
which the unsOphsticlted workings Of his
young mind were more moving than his
words All looked upon him as friend,
while by those whose language he spoke be
was almost ad red. All the crew, too
loved him for to every one of them be had
rendered some little service, by interceding
for them with the captain, over whom hl:
influence was great. \ smarter boy never
saw be spoke English, for a negro, very
well, and took great delight in teaching the
black boy-elay,s, who learned amazingly
fast. | know not low it was, but httl,
Billy loved Inc m re than any other of tht
crew, and | can safely say there was no low
lost When be had moment at leisure
he was ever with me. You can Judge by
my looks if there was anything comely il
them yet the dear boy often hung rounC
my neck and kissed me, while l helC
him to my bosom, and be called me DaC
RObion."
Here the worthy captain paused, as i
from extreme emotion. | felt as if
could have wept myself He hastily re
sumed:
& am an old fool. I shall 90 on, if
don't scken you with my gossip"
" Proceed" said in charity pro
ceed"
&c thank YOU" be replied. g TIL now
had almost persuaded myself that no on
cared for what said, but Billy" Ant
here he rang the bell, and the negr
entered. Billy" said be, sit wears late
Bring an extra glass, and take your wonte
seat"
"Tank you, massa," said the negro
" Rather sit with Mary. Picaninny n
sleep yet"
Well, Billy. as you please" be said
and resumed.
"On proceeding to the southwark, W
got becalmed in 2 deg. east longitude Al
ter few days lying logging and motion
less upon the water, despondency began t
take possession Of our minds; our water an
provisions were wearing fast awav and III