The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-07-20
RUNNING AWAY 10 SEA.
tn Experience OF Two Boys VINO
Longsd for "a Life ON the Ocean
WAve,u

~ bunhT ohAonH Jul ohllOFht hu
account isgiyen OF two boys who ran
away from their homes in Boston, and
shipped on the Falcon, under the idea
that they would learn the art OF nayiga-
ton and lead aaife OF pleasant adyen-
ture. But they were soon grieyously
disappointed, and after enduring many
hardshirs they at last escaped from
their floating prison and took refuge
with the American Consulat Singapore,
who aided them in returning to their
parents and homes.
From the account OF the elder OF the
two boys, named Charles King, we
LEARN that after engaging to go as ap.
prentices, they were made drunk
which was easy, as they had never
tasted liquor beforehand in this condi-
ton were carried on board the vessel.
On recovering their consciousness they
found themselves in the forecastle
among the crew, and soon realized that
they had been deceived, as the ship
carried no apprentices. The captain
choose to regard 1t as mistake, and
after the FIRST day took no notice OF
them, but by the mates and sailors they
were treated with the greatest cruelty.
The following was one Of their first ex.
periences:
II was now night and the breeze
tIeshening, the ship began TO roll. We
ate a hearty supper, however, and then
stood the dog-watch till eight o'clock,
when we both retired TO our hunks, very
much fahgued with the adventures and
excltements OF the day; and being
more tired than ever before, We were
soon sound asleep.
But this luxury was not OF long dura-
ton, for II appeared 10 us that we had
scarcely closed our eyes when we heard
the coarse voice Of the second mate
again calling all hands on deck TO
shorten sail. The wind was now blow.
ing half gale. George and were
rather slow getting ont, not being used
TO having our rest disturbed I; and no
sooner did we reach the deck than the
mate gave each Of us q good hard kick
TO help us along, rs he said ; and II did
help us considerably, for the one 70.
ceiyed sent me about ten feet.
This was followed by curses and
threats as to what we would get II we
were not smarter thereafter. We fell
TO and began hauling on the braces
but the ship heayed and pitched like
cork in a bucket, and ] soon became
very sick. Then the second mate
kicked me again.. and cursed and swore
ct me terribly, calling me all kinds Of
foul names, and threatening what he
weald do to me il did not look sharp.
After shortening sail We were permitted
10 retire again 10 our hunks in the fore.
castle, and this had now become the
yilest place / had ever slept It. kept
silent for while, but George was SO
worried that he began to compalin.
He told me he thought we had made
q great mistake, and would have q very
hard time. He said the sailors who
were hauling on the rope where he was
tried to crush his feet by trampling on
them, saying they smelt leather 1
synpathized with him, and told him
how sea-sick was but we soon fell of
TO sleep, only TO BIO awakened to take
In more sail.
This time the mate ordered me TO 90
aloit to help reef the maintop sail. I |
looked up, but was afraid to climb the
rope-ladders as yet and the mate see.
ing me Hesitate, gave me tremendous
blow with his open hand on the left
side OF my face ana ear. l was utterly
stunned, and went Keeling around the
deck as II l were drunk; but he gave
me no time for thought, continuing TO
order me aloit; and somehow, / know
not how, l got to the maintop and out
on the yard, holding or lying on tho
yard, my feet sliding on the footropes,
fearing I would fall every instant. /
didn't help much 10 reef that topsail
the ropes were very slippery, and II
was raining "cats and dogs" rs the
sailors said. / was soon wei through
and through, and became very dizzy
from my elevated position and the
lurching Of the ship.
Soon the mate ordered me down.
The very thought Of going down the
slippery rigging made me light.headed;
and II was so dark I could not see my
hand before me. By the kind assist.
ance Of one OF the sailors, m old man,
who went before me and put my feet
on the ratlines, ! got down to the deck
once more. There I was met by the
mate, who gave me terrible blow with
q ropes end, which left welt on my
shoulders and back for q week after.
ward (; this, the mate said, was TO cure
me Of bad habit I had OF splitting on
the deck, and to learn me 10 20 when
and where ordered.
The tears gushed from my eyes, and
the blood fairly boiled in my veins.
had never been punished much OF
home, and II was very hard to endure
blows from n stranger. thought /
could kill that mate and second mate;
but q moments reflection taught me
that / had only myself TO blame, and
must suffer in silence, being powerless.
The barbarous treatment and haed-
ships endured by the boys brought on
severe illness, so that Charles was en-.
tirely unconscious for several days.
After their recovery the abuse continued
from day to day. Instead OF learning
navigation they were employed in the
most mental service.
/ was compelled to scrub out the
mates room, and George the second
mates room, every few days to black
their boots and TO keep the sea.mould
off the extra pairs to brush their cloth.
ing, TO clean out their spittoons, and
wa.h their shirts and underclothing to
mend rents and sew on buttons, all this
together with our regular duty as sail
ors In fact We were their servants in
every respect, except that instead OF the
pay and good words most servants re-