Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1875-09-24
MUTINY ON BOARD.

7 COMMENCED my medical career with
exceptional disadvantages. My parents
were dead, and I had not friend or rela-
tive willing or able to help me; / was
cast entirely upon my own resources,
which were diploma, arespectable ward
robe and twenty pounds in cash-the bal
ance of the capital which had sufficed for
nv education. Feeling desperately the
necessity of exertion I applied to all sorts
of people, rushing into the presence of
bigwigs who ought not to be approached
without proper introductions, and outrag-
ing them with demands for surgical en-
ployment I should say [ sometimes re-
ceived as many as five snubs and rebuffs
in morning. At last fairly broke down
in the presence of a naughty young adj
miralty clerk, who was perturbed and
melted by my distress, when on my asking
him to tell me how [ could get into the
navy he replied:
"Suppose you apply on 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 a
hurry"
Two DAYS afterward I received letter
informing me that a surgeon was required
for the Alecto, which was to sail for Sgd
ney on the following Sunday with cargo
of convicts, and that if I applied in person
at place and hour named, and answered
certain questions satisfactorily, there was
little doubt but what I should get the ap-
pointment.
There was no medical employment on
earth that ! would not have jumped at
blindfold Just then, so made my applica-
ton, was accepted without any difficulty,
with rather an ominous alacrity indeed
and after such poor preparation in the
way of outfit as my ignorance suggested
and my slender means could afford l went
on board the Alecto, which was lying OFT
Greenwich, and found myself in medical
charge of Captain, two mates, a Lieuten-
ant of the Royal Navy, in some mysterious
capacity that / never rightly comprehend
ed; twenty sailors, an officer OF marines
and his men, and $50 convicts.
The naval Lieutenant was the only man
on the quarter deck when [ went up the
side.
"I am the surgeon,"I began, advanc-
ing toward him; but before | could say
another word he asked abruptly:
"Can you play at chess ?"
Yes-a llttle," replied.
" I'm thankful, vera tnank1ul Tor That.
Shake hands, sir. The marine body, Mr..
Phipps, no cares for the game; and how
should we surveeve SIGH a protracted and
tedious voyage without chess? My name
is MacNab, and | hope we shall be
friends, sir"
said that hoped so, too, and we en-
gagged in a conversation which was the
reverse of inspiriting. I gathered from
Mr.. MacNab that the skipper had been
unfortunate in former voyages; that his
mates were ruffians; that the crew were
very poor types indeed of the British sail
or; that the ship herself was a rotor old
hulk that ought to have been broken up
years before.
/ went down to my cabin, which
seemed absurdly small and low and dark;
got nv portmanteau there and tried to
make arrangements for future comfort.
Then | studied the printed instructions /
had received as to how often / was to in
spect the convicts, ETC., and wondered
what was to be done if they were refrac-
tory, and who had authority over me to
prevent me Sinking my duties for had
sole command, it seemed, in my particu-
lar department.
When I returned on deck I found the