The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-05-11
In A Powder Magazine.


We had not been many days at sea before
my mind misgave me, and L 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 per-
ennial drunkenness was the proper state of
mems existence; and who, as long as six
pence lasted, obstinately refused to go on
board, in many cases having to be hauled
from the wharf over the side, like SO much
suspended animation. Then we had been
warped out in the river, and were lying
awaiting the captain; We found that he had
been taken suddenly and violently i'll, so that
a weeks delay followed, ending in a fresh
appointment, and the coming of new cap
tain-a man OF quiet, genial aspect, whose
presence seemed to augur termination to
our troubles, and he was welcomed accord
ingly.
For merchantmen, outward bound is by
no means the paradise existing in the minds
OF ardent school-boys, bitten with longing
for a life at sea. Twenty-four hours of the
life on board and its discomfitures effectually
sickened me; but then / had chosen my
vessel for reasons of economy, knowing that
every So note would be, perhaps, of priceless
value in my new home; s, made up my
mind not to be disconnected, but to bear
all that fell to my lot. l had taken my
passage to Buenos Ayres, with the full inten-
ton OF roughing it for some years to come,
and therefore l argued, tn at it would be cow
ardly 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 loug
ntyi fha e.
passengers the credit of being the cause of
their sufferings, lost no opportunity of visit
ing che said sutferings upon their heads. /
said upon their heads, but the feet as fire.
quently suffered, buckets of water being
dashed upon them-of course accidently-if
we ventured on deck, during holy-stoning
time. We came to grief, too, over the ropes,
over the stowage of cargo, and in variety of
ways during those first days; our sea-going
friends looked upon us as an inferior race Of
beings, whom, as lubbers, it is their dnty to
affiict But by dint of good temper, this was
all pretty well got over, in time for the rough
weather we encountered down channel, and
right across the bay of Biscay; sufficiently
bad to confine us all, sick and well. below
matches, for many dreary day of pitching
and tossing, with the ships timbers groaning
and creaklng to degree that seemed to
threaten falling to pieces
PICTURE to yourself, you who have not been
on shipboard, gloomy, low-ceiled prison,
with stout beams crossing every here and
there, the light stealing feebly through the
little windows, the air you breathe hot, foul
and stiffiing, the hatch above you battened
down, so that, save at special times, there is
no communication with the deck, and nearly
every fellow passenger either bemoaning his
nard rate, or else groaning as he lies the
helpless misery of sea-sickness. l think that
II II all the miseries of rough voyage could be
1oreseen, those who take trips to far-off lands
would be greatly reduced in numbers.
A couple OF days respite came at last in the
shape of fine weather, and in the reaction nro-
duced by the bright sunshine and the free. brisk
air we breathed on deck, the troubles ofthe past
were forgotten. The captain still seemed all
that was pleasant; but there was a flushed
and heavy look in his countenance that did
not like, and before long had another opin-
Ion upon the subject, for in conversation I
found that the second mate hac been at the
same school as myself, and together we went
over the old days and compared notes. as
walked the deck with him far into his watch.
The weather turned foul once more, but
this time, through the mate, contrived to
stay on deck, when, to my surprise, / found
that the greater part of the duty was shifted
on to the chief mate, the captain seldom
showing himself on deck
Now don't think it's from cowardice.n
salu my friend to me, as we walked the deck
mat night, When the gale had somewhat mod,
Grated. "Of course this is in confidence"
nodded.
"Well," he continued, 81 don't know what
to make OF him; sometimes think he is
mad. How he got appointed to this shin /
can't tell. Mr.. Ray don't say ANYTHING, but
he Is one OF those men who think ali the
more, and of course he'll be particularly care
ful lest the captain should think that, as first
mate, he is jealous because the command was
not placed in his hands,"
No more was then said; but before MANY
days had passed we found that the man who
had been intrusted with fine vessel, valu-
able cargo and, more than all, the lives of
passengers and crew, was one of those beings
who, not content with the enjoyment of the
good things of this life, are in the habit of
having incorporate outbreaks, when the i'm
pulse to drink, commencing perhaps with the
stlmulants taken in some time of peril, grows
perteetly nncoptrnllablo, and eliminates at
ehstn III one OF those horrible fits of mania
known as delirium tremens.
1t was enough to make any landsman mr..
Vous as to our fate should the heavy weather
but there was still the Satisfaction
IL knowing that the two mates were thorough
'eamen, who would, no doubt, take upon
.nemseiVes the management of the shin should
mere De any real danger. The feeling did
lot trouble me long for, the weather again
hope rose, and day after dav
,lided pleasantly by. We saw but little of the
;aptaln, and only learned that he was con-
lned to his cot by indisposition. the cause of
MS lndlsposition being only known to a few:
'uI could see that the first mate, Mr.. Raw.
ooked more anxious than usual, and taking
ne opportunity OF being on deck one night.
had a long talk with my friend, to learn that
he captain only recovered from one fit to seek
ne means OF bringing ON another.
,Pity we did not leave him behind alto
ether" said at last.
We cnought so dozen times,'' said nv
rlend, for the sailing with madman on
GARD does not suit my book.
Inc days glided slowly by with VARYING
FEATHER The hot ATTITUDES were reached |
mere was little horse-play as we crossed |
ne line; then shark was caught, and at |
mes uolpnn or bonito; and at last, pant
" Win the neat, we lay beneath the almost
critical rays of the sun, without a breath Of
lind to fill the sails as they hung from the
ards, the vessel gently rolling in the swell as
ne sea heaved and fell without as much
IS a ripple visible. Rough coverings were
gged up; but in spite of all that could be
one TO mitigate it, the heat was unbearable.
'eatlng down upon our heads and reflected /
ON the sea, which shone like vast mirror
polished metal. Gaping seams, with the
" oozlng forth, rails and stanchions so heat
1 that hand could not be borne upon them.
was no wonder that we were constantly
ngihg lor the comparative cool of the night:
Ut even then there was not time for the
to grow much lower before the
In once more rose, each day apparently hot
II than the last. NV
we were seated one evening, watching the
81 glow OF the setting sun. when Anderson.
le second mate, made the remark that he
lougnt change was coming, and then our
tentlon was taken up by Mr.. Raw passing
ose by us and descending as if to the car.
:. bow low has Ia ne been to-day?" l said, as
o., worse 9ny IN than ever" was the reply. eff I
&c I,o nay Ia make prisoner of him and
doing 500 d'''' JuStihed
Further conversation was cut short hv +ho
'pearance of the mate, who beckoned bas He
to my companion. -''''-
Something wrong" he exclaimed as he
aped to his feet, and quite as quick | follow
him to the hatchway.
Good heavens, Andersonp' exclaimed
adp' N'o' i0 10 i"'niS
Have you no medicines ?" asked.
MealcinesP Yes; but how are you to
IA IA Win Win man in his state? Just listen"
M Nm I haIoy a. s ne ceased speaking, there came
'm below 1the sound of breakino chairs
lashing the glass and noise Of sam 1n" nns
aping from side to side of the cabin fol,o ome
by tremendous battering at the door
Il have locked him in," said Raw. "for he
not hit to come on deck But get helm and