Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1888-08-30
POOR JACK.
How I Interested Myself In Hie
BEHALF


When got my rating rs able sea-
man | could have navigated ship 70
any part OF the world. did not enter
upon the occupation through force OF
circumstances. but because loved the
sea had a fair education, steady
habits, and served my time with an
uncle who was splendid sailor and a
God-foaring man. / should have been
his mate after receiving my rating. but
he died while we were loading ship,
and the owners kept me ashore for a
couple OF months TO look over papers
and fix up accounts. Then i could have
had berth as mate, but a strange no
tion had come over me. Several
captains had boon hauled up for abus-
ing their men, and i had been present
at the trials. My Indignation was
aroused by the stories told by the men,
and, encouraged by half n dozen phi
lanthro-ists, | determined 10 become n
sailors champion. II was very silly,
now admit, but at that time earnest
ly believed IL was my mission. 1t was
silly for one man TO hope TO work a
revolution. Had n hundred cham
pions set out, and been backed by own
ers and courts, some thing good might
have como Of it.
My 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 the term
muiiny, and in reading laws concern
ing the rights OF sailors, to be quoted
nj length before consuls in foreign
ports. 4 had the help Of lawyer in
this work, and he gave me many hints
OF value. When j was loaded anu
primed I slowed $500 in cash in my
pocket and shipped aboard the brig
" Adventure" bound from Liverpool
90 the West Indies. This ship had
been recommended 20 me as a good
one 70 begin on, as the captain had
been arrested several times for cruel
~. bat always escaped conviction
through the influence OF the owners
and the poriured testimony OF the
mates. was now twenty-three years
OF age, fve feet eleven inches tall,
weighed one hundred and sixty pounds,
aud was afraid of no call on shipboard.
] was stout as 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 as far as possible, and to
obey all rules and regulations to the
fullest extent.
Before we were fairly under way
saw that we were 10 have a floating
hell The captain was hard drinker
and brute, and the mates delighted
20 curse and abuse. Aboard OF my
uncle's ship sailors were treated like
men, and drink and profanity were un-
known. was prepared for the change,
however, and let nothing astonish me,
exhibited my activity and willingness
IN getting away, and before the watch.
es were set 1t must have been patent "a
the officers that was a thorough sea.
man. This should have counted in my
favor, and il did for a little while
There Is always a leader In every crew
He not only governs the forecastle. but
ho sets the pace Of the men, especially
chose in his watch. II he is active and
willing, the men viii pattern after hin
20 certain extent. II he Is a growleI
and lagghrd, his disposition will az
foct ALL BY tacit consent was made
leader, and, TO the great surprise oi
some Of tho old sailors. informed
them that had come aboard 10 do my
fun duty in cheerful manner, and
that wanted no growing or shirhing
This gave them the pace, and yet Il
got me into trouble. The officers could
find no excuse for abusing the crew
and were evidently troubled over IL
On tho third day out, as l was taking
my trick at the wheel, / noticed thai
both captain and first mate we're in
ugly mood, having been drinking toe
much. There wasn't the slightest OK
cuse for grumbling. We had a fail
wind, every sail was drawing, and
oyory thing above and aloft was tidy
and shipshape. The watch on deck
were an busy, and / wondered whai
excuse tho captain could invent foi
making break. Il was evident thai
"a Wna 1shlng for one, and the male
ElN na|n him BY and By,
tl0|t - roared out;
NANoRS unhi 'aa al,a lnbber
A4f IA fp| q f't 7.lsthres
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