The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-07-23
POOR JACK.
How My Heart Once Led Me to Stand
I'd in His Behalf.
From the New York sun.

could have naVlgated snip 10 any pdTJ VI
| the world. did not enter upon the occu
patton through force Of circumstances, but
because loved the sea. | had fair edu-
cation, steady habits, and served my time
with an uncle, who was splendid sailor
and a God fearing man. | should have
been his mate after receiving my rating, but
be died while we were loading ship, and
the owners kept me ashore for couple
Of months to look over papers ana fS up
accounts Then | could have had berth
as mate but a strange notion had come
over me. Several captains had been hauled
up for abusing their men, and J had been
present at the trials. My Indignation was
aroused by the stories told by the men, and
encauraged by half a dozen philanthropisiS,
| determined to become a sailors champion.
1t was very silly now admit, but at that
time | earnestly believed it was my mission.
II was silly for one man to hope to work
revolution Had hundred champions set
out, and been backed by owners and courts,
something good might have come of 1t.
NV first step was to procure the marine
laws of every country, with all the rules
and regulations bearing upon sailors rights
| wa, very particular securing definitions
Of the t rm mutiny, and in reading laws
concerning the rights Of sailors, to be quoted
at length before consulS IN foreign ports. /
had the help of a lawyer in this work. and
he gave me many hints of value. When
was loaded and primed, slowed $500 in my
pocket and shipped aboard the brig Adven-
lure, bound from Liverpool to the West
Indies. This ship had been recommended
to me as a good one to begin on, as the
captain had been arrested sew
eral times for cruelty, but always escaped
conviction through the influence of the
owners, and the perJured testimony of the
mates | was now % years of age, feet II
inches tall, weighed 100 pounds, and was
afraid of no call on shpboard. | was stout
as n bull, a good boxer and wrestler, and
had newer seen "A days sickness. AS |
tumbled aboard the Adventure with half n
dozen other sailors, | was determined to do
my full duty as far as possible, and to obey
all rules and regulat ons to the fullest extent
Before we were fairly under way ! saw that
we were to have floating hell The cap
tain was hard drinker and n brute, and
the mates delighted to curse and abuse.
Aboard of my uncle's ship sailors were
treated like men, and drink and profanity
were unknown. | was prepared for
the change, however, and let
nothing a,tonish me exhibited my
activity and willingness in getting
away, and before the watches were set it
must have been patent to the officers that
| was a thorough seaman. This should
have counted in my favor, and it did for
little while There is always leader in
every crew. He not only governs the fore
castle, but he sets the pace of the men,
especially those In his watch. IL he Is
active and willing the men will pattern
after him to certain extent. If ne is a
growler and a laggard, his disposition viii
affect all. BY tacit consent | was made
leader and, to the great surprise of some
Of the old sailors, | informed them that |
had come aboard to do my full duty in
a cheerful manner and that | wanted no
growing or Sinking. This gave them the
pace, and yet it got me into trouble. The
officers could find no excuse for abusing
the crew, and were evidently troubled over
it. On the third day out, as | was taking
my trick at the wheel, [ noticed that both
captain and first mate were in ugly mood,
having. been drinking too much. There
wasn't the slightest excuse for grumbling.
We had a fair wind, every sail was draw
ing, and everything above and aloft was
tidy and shipshape. The watch ON deck
we're all busy, and wondered what excuse
the captain could invent for making a
break. 1t was evident that he was fishing
for one, and the mate was trying to help
him. BY and by, after looking aloft, he
roared out:
"Mr. Morton, what d lubber have
you got at the wheel. He is three points Off
her course"
'It's Castle, sir, -- his eyesl" replied
the mate.
The captain turned and approached the
wheel, while the mate, knowing that row
was coming, skulked forward. | was steer
ing as fine as silk, and as the captain looked
into the pinnacle he had to admit it to him
self. This doubtless added fuel to his anger,
for after "A minute he growled OUT
BLAST you for lubber, but how dared
you ship aboard as an able seamanF'
because | am one. sir" | quietly
answered.
''Oh, you are, chi Perhaps you are a
navigator alsop he said.
81 can take this ship out and back, sir
/ answered.
"The-the-h- you cam" he Kissed
after moment. "If you are a navigator,
what are you doing forward among the
menP
II shipped as an able seaman, sir, be-
cause no other berth was open at the time ~
you are a cussed liarm shouted the en-
ragged man. "You came aboard to show Off
your smartness and make trouble Pve
had an eye, on you, d you, and Pm
going to work up your old from
He drew back to strike me, and | looked
him fair in the eyes and said:
Capt Strong, If you strike me l shall
defend myself
He held his arm ready for a moment, and
then let 1t fall, seeming to realize that he
was in danger. Then II occurred to him
that he was being bluffed before his mates,
and he shouted to the steward to bring up
.his pistol. The weapon was soon handed
him, and he cooked 1t and turned to me
with:
Now, then, you mutinous dog, get down
on your knees and beg for your life
"Do you know what mutlny ISL | asked
of him, as quietly as possible m rtiny is
refusal to obey orders necessary for the
working of the ship. If you kill me, YOU
will go to trial for cold-booded murder"
"W-whatN he ga3ped.
And let me tell you something more,
Capt. Strong. You and the mates are the
worse for liquor, as the whole crew can tos-
tify. Your licenses can be revoked for this
This morning You refused medicine TO
Brace, who is suffering with cholera NOR
bus. | can have you fined or suspended for
that Have you medicine chest aboard
as required by lawl No There is a fine or
suspension for that, You have threatened
my life without excuse, as even your mates
must testify, and l can make you stand
trial for it."
] said all this in low voice, and looking
him full in the face while | kept the brig
On her course. HIS face grew the color Of
liver, and then as white as snow He stood
holding the pistol for moment after had
finished, and then turned and walked To his
cabin, whore the mate was soon summoned
to counsel with him The men forward had
caught on, and half a dozen Of them sig
nailed To me that they would stand hv.
shook my head II was not n mutiny |