New Orleans Republican., 1875-11-07
MUTINY ON SaIPBOARD.

commenced my medical career with ex-
ceptional disadvantages. My parents were
dead, and had not q relative willing or
able to help me. l was cast entirely on my
own resources, which we're q diploma, a
respectable wardrobe and twenty pounds in
cash-the balance of the capital which had
sufIiced for my education. Feeling desper-
ately the necessity of exerti0n, applied to
all sorts OF people, rushing into the presence
of big wigs who ought not to be approached
without proper introduction, and Outraging
them with demands for surgical employ
ment. / should say sometimes received
as many as five snubs and rebutfs in a
morning. At last fairly broke down in the
presence of naughty young admiralty
my distress, when, on my asking him to tell
me how could get into the navy, he re-
Piled
Suppose you appiyIn pwopper form
through the pwopper channel. Look here"
he said, calling me back, "leave your name
and address. Surgeons are wanted for
things sometimes in . hurry"
Two days afterward l received letter in
forming me that surgeon WAS required tor
the AlectO, which was to sail for Sydney on
the following Sunday with cargo of con-
victs, and that II l applied in person at a
place and hour named, and answered GER
tain questions satisfactorily, there was little
doubt but what should get the appoint
ment
There was no medical employment on
earth that l would not have jumped at
blindfold lust then, SO / made my applica-
ton, was accepted without any difficulty
with rather an 0miaous alacrity indeed
and after such poor preparations in the way
of outfit as my ignorance suggested and my
slender mesns could afford, went on board
the Alecto, which WAS lying off Greenwich,
nd svp oha &c q.
captain, two mates, Q lieutenant of the
royal navy, in some mysterious capacity
that never rightly comprehended; twenty
sailors, IN officer Of marines and his mem
and $50 cOnvicts.
The naval lieutenant was the only man
on the quarter deck when went up the
side.
II am the surgeon" began, advancing
toward him; but before could say another
word he asked abruptly:
"Csn you play st chess2'
"Yes-a little," replied.
''Pm thankful, very thankful, for that
Shake hande, sir. The marine body, Mr.
Phipps, dis ns care for the game; and how
should We surveeve sich protractsd and
is MacNab, and hope We shall be friends,
sir"
said that hoped 30 too, and We engaged
in conversation which was the reverse of
inspirit,ng. / gathered from Mr.. MacNab
that the skipper had been unfortunate in
former voyages; that his mates were rut.
fans; that the crew were very poor types
indeed Of the British sailor; that the ship
herself was rotten old hulk that ought 20
have been broken up years before.
went down to my cabin, which seemed
absurdly small and low and dark; got nv
portmsnteau there, and tried to mako ar
fangements for future comfort. Then /
studied the printed instructions l had 70.
ceived Is to how often l was to inspect the
convicts, etc., and wondered what was to
BE- done If they were refractory. and who
had authority over me to prevent me shirk-
ing my duties; for l had sole command, it
seemed, in my particular department..
When returned ON deck found the cap
tain and Nh. Phipps there. The former had
. red nose and wstery eyes, which ex-
planned, perhaps, why he had been unforta
manly fellow enough, but depending and
taeiturn, his sileBco being of the les i'm
importance, that whom hs did talk he gen.
orally grumbled, which did not add to the
cheertulness Of 90 smsll . pasty. His only
solace was In making pen and ink
sketches, Ct which he was very clever; land
scapes with ohisfOscuro effscts, involving
an immense lam0unt Of time and labor,
being his principal forte. Both he and
AscNsb were disappointed men; but the
Scotchman was the better philosopher Of
We four supped together, and in due time
lwent to my berth and found out how to
get into it / felt like . toy put away ON .
shelf in cupboard, tor it vas my first ex-
pefisnce Of ship accommodation. When
you hAxs Harmed to lie ON your back and
mot went - nsve oil night-to take eaough
oxygen lnts the lungs while ON deck to last
10r the time y0u are below, and t0 bo in