Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-12

shipboard. Ny father is an English clergy
man, and as l was his only son, it was ar
ranged that ! should become a parson. My
father kept me studying the bible and the
prayer book, but, boy-like, l preferred TO
read the Wayerly novels, which were all |
had until l was thought to be old enough to
read one OF Captain Marryat's sea stories.
l was delighted with Captain Marryat, but
the quaint, direct phrases of the bible, prob
ably more than anything else, helped ME TO
a means of expression.
Not Cut Ont for n Parson.
o course had no serious notion Of be-
coming a parson. There had been several
sea captains in my family. and a rowing
disposition came to me by inheritance. Their
there were many things that encouraged in
me a longing for the sea. l happened TO be
born in Canada, where my father was doing
his first work as a missionary. When l was
3 years old my parents took me back to
England. and that first voyage made a great
impression on me. l still have a vague rec
objection Of it.
Il was a troublesome lad from the very
first, and the fact that l was the only son
and the eldest of the family did not help
matters. After had reached my teens I
took matters into my own hands and told my
father that l was going to sea. As he saw
that ! was determined to go, one way or
another, he put me on board the training
ship Conway at Liverpool. On the Conway
We divided our time between navigation and
practical seamanship. We learned the use
OF the sextant and the theory Of solar and
lunar observations. and also were exercised
in manning the boats and yards and doing
the actual work of sailors"
1t was significant that Mr.. Whitmarsh could
recall with great distinctness the ships
punishments. He also recalled how as a
petty officer he took his turn making love
to the captains daughter. He would lower
himself over the side during prayers and
clasp hands with her through the window OF
her stateroom, But in spite Of his nonsense
he proved an apt pupil and won prizes fol
special work in navigation. After his two
years on the training ship he had no diff.
fculty in shipping as an apprentice on q
southwark bound merchantmen.
There were three other apprentices on the
ship, and although they did the work Of
ordinary seamen, they had their own mess
and a part OF the deckhouse to themselves
The ships first destination was Australia
and after putting in at Adelaide It SAILED
across to the west coast Of South America
and came around the Horn to England, Sc
that the lads first voyage took him arount
the world.
Fell Through the SkSIight.
"On the first voyage said Mr.. Whitmarsh
I'VE got plenty to eat, but often longed FOL
delicacies that we had no means of getting
I agreed with the other apprentices, wit
were on the same voyage, that there should
be no such lack on the second trip. W.
filled our quarters with such a stock o.
timed goods, marmalades, hams and othel
l]uXuries, that there was barely room L
get in ourselves. As the ship stood out III,
harbor with a lively breeze | vas sent alof
to clear the fore-gaffsail. in the tack. | wa.
standing upon the masthead aud with M
foot tried 10 push the sail clear OF the stay
While l had my weight upon 1t the sal
suddenly came clear, and, losing my balance
1 selt myself falling through the air AM
wondered where / would strike. When m,
senses returned | found myself lying in tn
cabin. Much 10 my surprise. the captain Wa
having his head fixed up with strips Of cour
plaster, and the cabin was Uttered with Bit
Of glass. They told me that / had fallel
upon the skylight, breaking the heavy glas
and bringing IT down upon the head Of Ia
captain, who vas working on some paper
at the table underneath. His scalp had beel
cut open from his crown To his forehead
while / had a lot OF bones broken.
"A small steamer was hailed and l va