Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-06-02
MUTINY ON BOARD.

l commenced my medical career with
exceptional disadvantages. My parents
were dead. and had not friend or rela-
entirely on my own resources, which were
a diploma, a respectable wardrobe aud
twenty pounds in cash-the balance of the
capital which had sufiiced for my educa-
ton. Feeling desperately the necessity OF
exerton 1 applied TO all sorts OF people,
rushing into the presence Of bigwigs
who ought not 10 be approached without
proper introduction, and outraging them
with demands for surgical employment.
l should say sometimes received as many
as five snnbs and rebuffs in Il morning. At
last fairly broke down in the presence of
a naughty young admiralty 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
Though 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 afterwards received letter
informing me that surgeon was required
for the Alecto, which was to sail for sgd
ney on the following Sunday with a cargo
OF convlcls, and that If applied in person
at place aud hour named, and answered
certain questions satisfactorily, there was
little doubt but what l should get the APP
pointment.
There was no medical employment OH
earth that would not have jumped at
blindfold just then, so made my applica-
tlon, was accepted without any difficulty
with rather an ominous alacrity indeed
and amer such a poor preparation 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 a captain, two mates, a lieutenant
of the royal navy, in some mysterious ca
pAcity that never rightly comprehended f;
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.
81 am the surgeon" began, advancing
toward him; but before could say anolh-
er word he asked abruptly;
"Can you play at chessf"
"Yes--a little," 1 replied.
"Tm thankful, vera thankful, for that.
Shake hands, sir. The marine body, Mr..
Phipps, no cares for the game; and how
should we surveGve sich protracted and
dangerous voyage without chessH Ny name
Is MacNab, and hope We shall be friends,
| SIR"
said that hoped so, too, aud we en-
gagged in conversation which was the re-
verse of inspriting. gathered from Mr..
MacNab that the skipper had been uniort.
unate in former voyages that his mates
were rufiians; that the crew were very
poor types indeed of the British sailor
that the ship herself was a rotten old hulk
that ought TO have been broken up years
before.
went down 10 my cabin, which seemed
absurdly small and low and dark got my
| portmanteau there, and tried TO make ar
| rangemeHts for future comfort. Then
studied the printed instructions 1 had re-
ceived as TO how often was to inspect the
convicts, etc., and wondeeed what was to
be done If they were refractory, and who
had authority over ME 10 prevent me shirk'
ing my duties, for l had sole command, II
seemed, in my particular department.
When returned on deck 1 found the
captain and Mr.. Phipps there. The formoI
had red nose and Waiery eyes. which ex-