Morgan County democrat. (Versailles, Mo.) 1900-1906, 1905-05-19
I could not have been NOR. in earnest

oIIe vi tIC lthINs Nv SN't
looked down at me.
Can you stow a skysail?" he asked.
abruptly. Can you rig out a to'.gallant
stu'ns'l boom?"
assured him that | could. and added
that | could make any kind of bend,
splice or knot that any of his sailors
could make.
He gave me a searching glance. and
in the %twinkling of an eye, unknown to
him or me. my fate was sealed.
I'VE don't need any boys" he said,
but I'll take you as an ordinary sea-
man. Mr.. Hail." he added to the mate.
ship this boy as an ordinary seaman"
Il told him this morning We didn't
want him." said the mate.
well, ship him anyhow" replied the
captain.
The mate %sullenly obeyed. He and I
were in for trouble, l could see that.
Tussle with the Mate.
In those days ships carried skysails,
and boys were sent aloft to handle them.
When we were off Rio a rolling sea and
stiff gale were encountered. and l was
sent up to stow a skysail. The mate.
Hall. stood on deck and bawled orders
to me that | could not hear. because
of the s%hrieking Of the wind through
the rigging. The ship rolled fearfully.
and | had all | could do to hang on, but
| completed my task and scrambled
down.
Hall came toward me with a Delaying
pin, cursing me for not obeying his or
ders. whatever they We're. He struck
at me, but the ship at that moment
lurched. We clinched and rolled into
the scuppers. which were full of wa
ter. Hall s%plashed about and regained
his feet. but the ducking COL ono of
the meanness out of him. He was not
nearly as vicious as he turned upon me
again. Yet | feared trouble and reached
for my sheath knife.
eff you touch me III cut your heart
out" | said boldly-more boldly thar
meant.
The captain appeared at this instant
and overheard my threat. He ordered
me to 90 below. Three hours afterward
] took my turn at the wheel. Though a
boy, | was one of five who were in
trusted with steering the ship, II the
skipper in a bluff fashion had shown
some liking for me. He came up and
asked:
VIVA did you mean by threatening
to cut Mr.. Halls heart out?"
81 meant what | said" | replied.
That man has badgered me ever since
we left New York. He is determined to
have trouble. Rather than stand it any
longer | will cut his heart out if he
touches me-"
mo, you won't" said the skipper.
quietly. when there's any fighting
going on in this ship | want to boss the
job, do you hear? Now. you get along
with Mr.. Hall the best you can. have
told him to keep his hands off OF you"
We had no special trouble after that
nothing but curses and black looks from
Hall. | did my duty, and took to heart
the lesson taught me by a former mas
ter, which was: Stand fast, and steer
northeast"
OFF for Gold Fields.
We sailed from New York in May,
1853, and in the latter part of October
arrived at the Golden Gate, after the
usual share of storm and calm. Then
another turning point came in my life.
Should I stay with the ship or 60 to
the mines?
Capt. Barbour wanted me to stay
"My boy, you've got the making of a
good sailor in you" he said. you stay
with the ship. We're going to Calcutta,
and I'll make you third mate by the time
We get there. You'll be mate of this ship
by the time you are 90"
"Captain,' | replied, "Ill be owner OF
a schooner Of m own before | am 20
I'm going to the mines"
ITO the mines? Pshaw." he replied
What can a sailor do in the mines:
You Won't find any gold"
But | was determined to 60 to the
gold fields, and took my chest of clothes
from the ship. With the little money
coming to me | bought a shotgun and d
r pepper-box pistol and a roll of blankets
: With my shipmate | went down to the
=, wharf and found work. We worked oul
, way up the Sacramento river on a boat
and then, shOuldering my blankets,
walked $50 miles over the mountain
: into Butte county.
There ! found work with a wheelbar'
G row and in a store. | saved every cen
: | could make, still dreaming of tina
South sea schooner. BY the ia!des'
drudgery and economy | gathered vi
$500.
Launched Successward.
, A man came into the store one day
u discouraged with his hard luck. III
y nuned a Staomboat but the river ha(