Middletown transcript., 1877-01-27
Selett StOrp.
A Perilous Voyage.
BY @. MANv1LLE FEM.

We had not been ten days at sea be
fore my mind misgavs me, and | begar
to dread an unfortunate termination t.
our voyage, for matters had gone wrong
from the very beginning There had
been trouble with the crew, who seemed
to have an idea that perennial drunken.
ness was the proper state Of mans ex.
istence and who. as long as a six
pence lasted, obstinately refused to 60
on board. in many cases having to be
hauled from the wharf over the side
like SO much suspended animation -
Then when We had been warped out
into the river. and we're lying awaiting
the captain, we found that be had been
taken suddenly and violently i'll, so that
weeks delay followed. ending in a
fresh appointment, and the coming Of a
new captain man Of quiet genial
aspect. whose presence seemed to augur
a termination Of our troubles, and be
was welcomed accordingly.
| bad taken my passage to Busnos
Ayres, with the full intention Of rough
ing it for SEINE years to come, and
therefore | argued that it would be
cOwardly to turn tail at the FIRST trouble
that fell to my share But really it was
trying work, in spite of the strongest
discrimination. Tho sailors we're soon
in that pleasant state Of despondeut
misery which succeeds long debaucb,
and. as if giving the unfortunate pas
sengsrs the credit Of being the cause of
their suferings. lest no opportunity Of
visiting the said suFerings upon their
heads But BY dint Of good temper,
this was all pretty well got over, in
time for the rough weather We encoun-
tered down Channel. and right away
across the Bay Of Biscay, sufficiently
bad to con6ne US all, sick and we'll,
below hatches. for many a dreary day
Of pitching and tossing, with the ships
timbers grOaning and creakiDg to a
degree that sesmad TO threaten falling
to pieces.
A couple Of days respite came at last
in the shape Of fne weather and in the
Reaction produced by the bright sun
shine. and free brisk air we breathed
on deck. the troubles of the past we're
forgotten. The captain still seemed all
that was genial and pleasant but there
was q flushed and heavy look in bis
cOunsenance that | did not like, and
before long | had another opinion on
the subject ; for, in conversation, I
found that the second mate had been at
the same school as myself; and together
we went over the old days and com
pared notes, as | walked the deck with
him far into his watch.
The weather turned foul once more,
but this time, through the mate, | con-
trived to stay on deck. when to my sur
prise, I found that the greater part Of
the duty was shifted on the chief mate,
the captain seldom showing himself on
deck.
"No, / don't think it's from coward
ce, said my friend to me, as we walk
I'd the deck that night, when the gale
bad somewhat moderated. "Of course
his is in confidence"
/ nodded
"Well," be continued, al don't know
What to make Of him ; sometimes
hink he is mad, and sometimes that be
5 given to drinking How be got ap-
pointed to this ship, l can't tell. Mr..
Ray don't cay anything, but he is one
# those men who think all the more
nd Of course he'll be particularly care
ul, lest the captain should think that,
IS first mate, be is jealous because the
ommand was not placed in his hands"
No more was then said +; but before
many days had passed we found that
be man who had been entrusted with
fine vessel, valuable cargo, and
nOre than all. the lives Of passengers
nd crew, was one Of those unfortunate
eings who not content with the enjoy
bic things Of this life, are in the habit
{ having intsmperate outbreaks, when