The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-11-01
1lTERART
MUTiNY ON BOARD.

MUTiNG ON BOARD.
commenced my medical career with ex
ceptional disadvantages. My parents were
dead, and | had not friend or relative
willing or able TO help me; | was cast en-
tirey on my own resources, which were a
diploma, respectable wardrobe, and TWEEN
ty pounds in cash--the balance Of the cap
ital which had suficed for my education.
Feeling desperately the necessity of exer-
ton applied to all sorts of people, rushing
into the presence of bigwigs who ought and
be approached without proper introduction,
and outraging them with demands for our
surgical employment should say | some
times received as many as five snubs and
rebutfs in n morning. At last | fairly
broke down in the presence of naughty
young admiralty clerk, who was perturbed
and melted by my distress. when on my
asking him to tell me how l could get into
the navy he replied
Suppose you apply on a proper form
through the proper channel. Look here"
he said, calling me back, ''leave your name
and address Surgeons wanted for
things sometimes in n hurry"
Two days afterwards | received letter
Informing me that q surgeon was required
for the Alecto, which was to sail for Sgd
ney on the following Sunday with a cargo
Of convicts and that if applied in person
at place and hour named, and answered
certain questions satisfactorily, there was
little doubt but what | should get the APP
pointment.
There was no medical employment on
earth that | would not have jumped at
blindfod just then, so made my applica-
ton, was accepted without any difficulty
with rather an ominous alacrity indeed
and after such poor preparations in the
way of outfit as my ignorance suggested
and my slender means could afford | went
on board the Alecto, which was lying off
Greenwich, and found myself in medical
charge of captain, two mates, lieuten-
ant of the Royal Navy, in some mysterious
capacity that | never rightly comprehendcd;
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.
Il am the surgeon" began, advancing
towards him; but before l could say another
word he asked abruptly:
''Can you play chess"
'.les-a little" replied.
"lm thankful, very thankful, for that
Shake hands, sir. The marine body. Mr.
Phipp, no cares for the game; and how
should we survive such protractei and tie
dious voyage without chess? My name il
MacNab, and hope we shall be friends, sir.
/ said that hoped so. too, and we en-
gagged in conversation which was the re
verse Of inspiring. gathered from Mr.
MacNah that the skipper had been unfor
tunate in former voyages; that his mate
were rufhans that the screw were yer,
poor types indeed OF the British sailor
that the ship herself was rotten old hui
that ought to have been broken up year
before.
| went down to my ca bin, which scenes
absurdly small and low and dark; got m
portmanteau there, and tried TO make ar
rangements for future comfort. Then
studied the printed instructions | had re
ceived as to how often | was 10 inspect tn
convicts. &C.. and wondered what was to b
done if they were refractory. and who ha
authority over me 10 prevent Sinking n
duties; for had sole command, i, seemed
in my particular department.
When returned on deck l found tn
captain and Mr.. Phipps there. The forme
had a red nose and watery eyes. which eS
planned perhaps why he had been unfor
tunate with his ships; the latter was q ger
tlamanly fellow enough, but Responding an
taciturn, his silence being of the less Inn
poriance that when he did talk he genera
" grumbled. which did not add to th
cheerfulness of so small party. His onl
solace was in making pen aud ink sketche
at which he was very clever; landscape
with chiaroscuro effects, involving an in
mense amount of time and labor. being b
principal forte. Both he and MacNs
were disappointed men; but the Scotchms
the better philosopher of the two.
We four supped together, and in due tin
went to my birth and found out how
get into it. felt like toy put away on
shelf in a cupboard. for it was my first .
perience of ship accommodation Whs
you have learned to lie on your back .,
not want to move all night-to take enoui