Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-08-10
POOR JACK.

POOR JACK.
When | got my rating as able seaman
could have navigated a ship 20 any part Of
the world did not enter upon the cocupa-
ton through force Of circumstances, but be-
cause / loved the sra | had a fair educa-
ton. steady habits and served my time with
an uncle who a splendid sailor and
God fearing man / should have been bis
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 the papers and fix up accounts
Then could nave had berth as mate but
strange notion had come over me. Several
CAPTAINS had been hauled up for abusing their
men, and had been present at the trlais-
Nv Indignation was aroused by the sto-
ries told by the men, and, encouraged by
half a dozen philanthropists, determined TO
become a sailors champion 1t was very
silly, now admit, but at that time ] earn
estly believed it was my mission IL was
silly for one man TO hope 10 work revoiu-
ton. Had hundred champions set out and
been backed by owners and courts, some
thing good might have come OF 1t.
NY first step was TO procure the marine
laws Of every country, with all the rules and
regulations bearing upon sailors rights. !
was very particular in securing definitions OF
tho term mutiny, and in reading laws con-
corning the rights of sailors, to be quoted at
length before consuls IN foreign ports. had
the help Of lawyer in this work, and he
gave me many hints OF value. When | was
loaded and primed | slowed $500 in cash in
my pocket and shipped aboard the brig Ad-
venture, bound from Liverpool to the West
Indies This ship had been recommended 10
me as a good one to begin on, as the captain
had been arrested several 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 l6O
pounds and was afraid Of no call on ship
board | was stout as a bull, good
boxer and wrestler and had never
seen a days sickness. As | tumbled
aboard the Adventure with half
dozen other sailors, / was determined
10 do my full duty far as possible,
and to obey all rules and regulations to the
fullest extent. Before We we're fairly under
way sal that we were to have floating
hell. The captain a hard drinker and
brute, and the mates delighted TO curse and
abuse Aboard Of my uncles ship sailors
were treated like men, and drink and pro-
family were unknown. was prepared for
the change, however and let nothing aston
ish me- | exhibited my activity and willing
ness in getting away, and before the watches
were set it must have been patent to the
officers that was thorough seaman. This
should have counted in my favor. and it did
for a little while There is always a leader
in every crew He not only governs the fore
castle but he sets the pace Of the men, espe
cially those in his watch. If he is active and
willing, the men will pattern after him to
certain extent. If he is n GROWER and a
laggard, his disposition will 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 dsty in 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, rs | was taking
my trick at the wheel, noticed that both
captain and first mate were in ugly mood,
having been drinking too much There was
not the slightest excuse for grumbliDg. We
had fair wind, every sail was drawing and
everything below and aloft was tidy and
shipshape The watch on deck were 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 id lubber have you
got at the wheeli He is three points off her
course
ITS Castle, sir, d-n his eyesl" replied
tho mate.
The captain turned and approached the
wheel, while the mate, knowing that n 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 minute he growled out:
Blast you for a lubber, but how dared
you ship aboard as an able seaman
because | am one. sir quietly an
swered
"Oh, You are, chs Perhaps you are navi-
gator alsof' he sneored.
Il can take this ship out and back, SIR"
answered
The -the-h-ll you cam" he Kissed after
moment If you are navigator what
are You doing forward among the menf'
Il shipped as an able seaman. sir, because
no other berth was open at the time"
"You are cusSed liar shouted the en-
ragged man. You came aboard to show off
your smaItness and make trouble Eve had
an eye on you. d--n you, and I'm going to
work up your old IRON
He drew back to strike me, and looked
him fair in the eyes and SAID:
Capt, Strong, il you strike me shall
defend myself
He held his arm ready for moment, and
then let it fall, seeming TO real re that he
was IN danger, Then it occurred to him that
he was beng bluffed before his mates, and
he shouted to the steward to bring up his
pistol The weapon was soon handed him,
and he cooked it aud turned to me with:
Nov, then, YOU mutnous dog, get down
on your knees and beg for your life
DO You know what mutiny is.' asked
of him, quietly as possible "Mutiny is
refusal to obey orders neces airy for the work
ing Of the snip. II you kill me YOU will 60
to trial for cold FLOODED murder"
"W-whatf h, gasped
And let me tell YOU something more. Capt
Strong. You aud the mate are the worse for
liquor. as the whole crew can testify Your
licenses can be revoked for this This morn
ing you refused medicine to Brace, who is
suffering with cholera morbus can have
you fined or suspended for that Have YOU
medicine chest aboard. as required by awi
No There is "a tine or Suspension for that
You have threatened my life without excuse,
as even your mates must testify, and can
make you stand trial for it
said all this in a low voice, and looked
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 bold
ing the pistol for a moment after had fin
ished, and then turned and walked to his
cabin, where the mate was soon summoned
to consult with him. The men forward had
caught on, and half dozen of them signaled
to me that they would stand by. shook nv
head. II was not a mutiny. /, plain Jack
Tar, had certain rights which Capt Strong
must respect 1t was II fight between us two
Before the captain reappeared was relieved
at the wheel, and went forward and armed
myself with a revolver from my chest |
also took the papers bearing on the case and
placed them in my bosom. Then | urged the
crew 10 stand aloof and let me fight it out
alone, defined mutiny until they thor
oughly understood what not to do But