Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-09-23
rive KINDS Or ceusAeE.

rive KINDS o. COURAGE.
Not many years since the ship Ponto
sailed from Boston. bound 70 Sumstra-
she vas commanded by Captain Isaac
Jacobs, a good seaman and naturally
good hearted man. bat In his long ca
reer beneath the trident of Neptune he
had imbibed many of the false ideas
prevalent among seamen, and be had
come 70 look upon the sailors life a. one
which necessarily did away with those
fne and warmer traits of character that
mark the humane and generous lands
man. In this wise Isaac Jacobs some
times lost sight of true merit where II
actually existed.
Among the crew OF the Ponto, on her
present voyage, was a young man named
Caleb Baker. He had shipped only three
DAYS before the vessel sailed. He was
sIender-framed man, with a fair, pre-
possessing countenance, light blue eyes
and light brown hair. Though light II,
his build, he was well stocked with mu+
Gle, and his motions were quick and
energetic. His appearance was caIcu-
lated to predispose the beholder in his
favor.
One day, shortly after the ship hid
left port, az Baker was busy about some
matters Of his own in one Of the gang
ways, one Of the men, rough, uncouth
fellow named Bunkton, came along and
gave the clothes-bag of Baker kick ous
Of his way, scattering number OF bis
things about the deck.
ssF -s-L - opofuI y a2fh
Baker. az he moved TO gather up ais
things.
"Then keep your things out o nv
way grufiiy returned Bunkton.
"They we're not in your way said
Baker.
.Do you mean to tell me lie?' re-
torted Bunkton.
II said TIE things were not in your
way," replied Baker.
And say they were; now, don't You
Dispute me again"
"Vsry we'll; have it your own way"
calmly returned Baker, as he drew his
bag closer in toward the bulwarks.
"And don't you be impudent, neither.
proyokingly added Bunkton.
Look ye. Bnnkton, II you've any
business Of you own, you'd better mind
it,"
"Eh, lubberl I'll show you my bust
ness; take THAR
AsBunkton spoke, he struck the young
man upon the face. The crew bad most
of them gathered about the place and
arrangements were quickly made for
fight. -,
AJust come forward come forward,
and I'll show you my business cried
Bunkton, brissling about with his fists
"a fight! a fiehtr' cried half dozen
of the men. "Don't stand that, Ba-
kerr"
The young mans eyes had flashed as
he received the blow, and there was
rapid Quivering Of the muscles OF his
hands, but he made no movement to
strike.
saint you eoin' to take it up3" ashed
Bunkton.
"No. Iwant nothing to do with you"
returned Caleb.
Then you are a coward" exclaimed
Bunkton, with q contemptuous tone and
look.
Young Baker calmly replied to the
tauut, and Bunkton became still more
savage. Those who know anything OF
ocean life will understand the sentiment
of the rough crew upon such matters as
the present. They could comprehend
but sne kind OF courage; and the mo-
ment that Baker refused TO fight they
ret him down as an arrant coward. As
hrst they had been predisposed In his
favor, for Bunkton was q quarrelsome
fellow, and they hoped Caleb would fog
him; but when they saw him quietly turn
away and resume his work, they began
70 taunt him, too.
What's all this7" asked Capt. Jacobs,
whe was attracted TO the spot.
The matter was explained to HIM.
"pidn't resent itY'' exclaimed the
Captain. looking with mingled sur
prise and contempt upon Caleb
why didn't you knock him down,
Because l don't want to fight with
any man, sir"
land you will allow yourself to DO
struck and not resent it?"
will defend myself in case of dan
Ger, but will not 80 abase myself as t.
engage In a brutal fight when IL can be
possibly avoided. have AZ yet done
wrong TO no man; but were to fight one
Of my shipmates, should wrong both
him and myself.
"Yhen you will have yourself looked
upon a. one who may DO struck with
impunityr
< quick flush passed over the young
mans face as the Captain thus spoke,
but he was soon calm.
Imean, sir he returned. :" tn give no
one occasion TO strike me; yet Buxton
struck, but You can see he alresdy suffers
more than ] do"
Bunkton gave Caleb the lie, and again
tried 10 urge him into a fight, but the
Captain interfered and quiet was soon
restored.
From that time Caleb Baker was look
I'd upon by the Grew as coward. At
6rst they tainted him, but his uniform
Kindness soon put stop 70 these out
ward manifestations, and the feelings
OF the Grew were expressed by their
looks. Bunkton took every occasion no
could TO annoy the young man, for he
aght out of tho coward yet" The rest
Of the crew might have let the matter
pass had not Bunkton's continued be-
havior kept alive the idea Of Bakers
cowardice.
Mono save himself knew the severe
struggles that went on in the young
mans bosom; bat he had resolved that
he would not dght, except in actual and
necessary sell. defense, and he adhered
10 this principle. He performed his
duties faithfully, and Captain Jacobs
was forced TO admit that. though Baker
vas coward he was yet very good
sailor.
The matters passed until the ship had
doablcd the Cale Of Good Hope and
entered the Indian Ocean Il was 10
ward the Close OF day that had been
sulsry and oppressive that fitful breeze
sprang up from tho southwRrd. Il came
In quick, cool gusts, aud the broad can
vas only Tapped before u.
1--WE are likely 10 have blow soon,n
oAid the mate.
Not much, l think. returned the
Captain, a. he took survey Of the hori-
son. This spitting will soon die away,
and think the wind will then come ont
from the wess'ard. However, n may
be veil enough 10 shorten sail. You
may take In the tRaliAnts'is and cloee
resf the tops'ls."
This order was quickly obeysd, and.
~ the Captain had predicted, the spit
ting gusts died away, bus NO Wind came
ont from the wsst'Ard. ID grew dark,
but no wind had come. Az about ten