The Helena independent., 1893-12-29

comparative wakefuincss, and shortly after
dark we had our first meal.
"'Thoss fellows don't know how much
whisky they have lost the captain said
while we were eating. They don't know
what they bring on board. The boarding
house keepers put bottle or two In mans
kit before he comes on board, OF courTe
charging him well for 1t. Yes, that's about
u fair sample OF the first day Of q voyage.
At the end of voyage we discharge all the
men before tho mast and hire new ones for
the next trip. That is the custom, because
it saves paying and feeding the men while
welte In port. The quartermaster we keep,
and of course the two mates and tho engi-
neer and his two assistants. That makes
seven Of us, including myself-enough to
run the ship on pinch without anybody
forward and quite enough to overpower the
men. no matter how ugly they arc.'
''That night everything began to move
like clockwork aboard the ship, and you
would not have suspected that there had
been any trouble. Next morning I was
standing on the upper deck, just aft the en-
ginc room, when the sailor who had fought
the captain came up to me.
Mister said he, I hear we're bound
for Porto Rico. Iwish you'd tell me how
long voyage it is.'
~ told him. of course, and asked him
whether he had not made inquiries about
it before he signed the ships articles. He
said that he had not signed any articles. a.
far as he knew; some one must have signed
them for him: that he had been on spree
for several days, and that the first thing
he remembered was being dragged o.G of
the forecastle and fighting with the cap
AAsp 1kas a..
that the captain did exactly right and
hoped that he had not made q very big
fool OF himself.
sailors came up to me and asked about the
duration Of tho voyage, what ports we were
to make, what Our cargo was, and SO on.
NoneOf them had any recollection of COM
ing aboard the ship or signing the articles.
These things prepared me for peculiar in
terview with the American, which I had
that evening. / noticed several times in
the afternoon that he seemed to be watch
ing for a chance to speak to me, but there
was always some one in tho way. That
eYening, however, while was standing in
the moonlight leaning against the open sky
light of the engine room. he found his
chance
"'Excuse me- he said, but think you
are an American. lam an American, too,' ,
he went on, and I'm afraid I've got myself
into devil of scrape. I have no idea
how came aboard this steamer, but the
mate says I've shipped for the voyage and
have got to CO. have a wife and family
in Springfield, Mass, and they'll not know
what has become of me-
do you mean to say tnat you were car
ricd off against your will?' asked him.
"'I can't say whether was or not he
replied. i certainly did not come here in
tentionally, for never was on board ship
before and know nothingo Of a sailors work.
/ am a moldcr and make good wages in
Springfield. Last Tuesday came down to
New York to attend to some business, and
having to stay over night went into the
Bowery to see the sights. There drank
too much bad Bowery whisky, I'll not deny
that, and l remember getting acquainted
with man who seemed good fellow and
taking more drinks with him. That is the
last thing remember distinctly, though !
have haZy recollection of being in some
dirty bedroom and having whatever want
ed to drink. had about $40 in my pockets
when went into the Bowery, but when l
woke up yesterday aboard ship my money
was gone and I had new shirt and whole
sailors outfit
Naturally took an interest in his case,
he being an American, and spoke to the
captain about him.
"'There isn't anything can do for the
man, the captain told me, except make
his work as light as possible for him, and
I'll do that. can't put him ashore till we
get to Porto Rico, and then he'd be worse
off than if he stood nv the chin for we'll
probably be the first vessel coming back
from there. He has been advanced S15 out
of his $3.50 wages, SO he will have So. so
coming to him when we return to New
York. The boarding master and the sail
ing master of course got the money. Sail
ors are SO plenty now that there would be
no object in crimping men in this way ex-
cept to increase their profits. Such things
happen almost every voyage, but I cannot
help it. Ihave to take what men / can get.
This landsman's ignorance of the business
is loss to me, but what am I going to do?
Such fellows will get drunk and let them