Year: 1879

I shipped as a common sailor, for
voyage to Calcutta and Canton. The
reason was, disappointment in business,
and when l found myself in furious
storm on the ocean, thought the wind
and waves welcome companions, because
they seemed actuated by such passions
as were striving in my agitated breast.


But had an opportunity to learn that
no peace or happiness was to be found in
the tumult of nature, for our captain
proved to be drunkard, and in the midst
of long and tremendous gale off the
Cape of Good Hope, he became utterly
incapable OF navigating ting vessel and
lay insensible In his state-room. The
sailors, under the influence of his exam
ple-terrified by the danger, and intoxi
Gated by the liquor to which they found
access-were soon almost as much dis
qualified as their commander.


had been accustomed to the water all
my life, though had scarcely ever been
out of sight of land my friends and re-
lations being pilots and fishermen, and
was born and lived on the shore most Of
my life. s eing..that we must all go to the
bottom unless something were done,
took charge of the vessel myself-en-
cOiiraging those of the seamen who had
any sense left-threatening such as were
ebellious-putting one in a chair, at the
helm, who knew enough to steer, though
unable to Standard leading others to
their stations, and putting the stays and
braces into their hands. As for doing
anything at reefing, or handling sails
aloft, that was out OF the question: not
man was fit to leave the deck, and,
indeed, was the only one who could do
much on it. At length, by cutting away,
letting fly and holding on, as ! could,
after getting aback and knocking about
in the dark, but know not how long,
the ship was hove to, and began to hope
that we might weather the storm.


The remainder of the night | walked
the deck alone, to keep awake and the
next day and night ! was afraid to lie
down for moment, thinking that ]
should inevitably fall asleep and become
insensible. A sudden change of wind
might, at any moment, put us in new
peril and do all that | could, | should
barely be able to keep the vessel above
water. actually began to sleep many
times while pacing the deck, waking
sufficiently to stop and turn when i
reached the end of my short walk. Such
mixture of thoughts and feelings as
followed each other through my mind
and heart, it would be impossible to de-
scribe; the peace and security of the
home of my childhood-the apprehen-
sion of being driven on the coast in the
dark--the degraded beings around me,
their oaths and curses-the bowling
storm and dashing surges-my friend
less condition and exposure to death
tancies about the Flying Dutchman-
sensations of hunger and fatigue-and
a conviction of utter helplessness in cas-,
the storm should increase. But Provi
dence smiled on us. The winds ant
waves grew calm, and we were enabled
to go our way in safety.


Only short time, however, elapsed
before we were again assailed by {
storm, and again the captain and solnt
of the hands were intoxicated. l die
my best, and might have worked the YES
sci through the storm, but the captain


wild with delriums, came rushing OF
deck, and attacking us right and left


rendered it impossible for us to manage
the ship. Such scene of terror L hop,


never to see again. At last we succeed
| Gu Ill lying liiS iiahiaN captain w oio y"


the masts, and strove to get the master.


over the vessel, which we were able t.


do after most exhausting efforts. Blu
before we had got everything snug, TIN


captain broke loose from his tastenings


and seizing huge club, began to attacl
us with savage ferocity. AT last he am


one of the crew, as drunk as himself


grappled; and the captain, getting hi
antagonist by the throat, dragged him t.


the side of the vessel and leaped over
| board with him, and both disappea"e
! forever. This awful incident sent
thrill of terror to every heart. Ther
: was no drinking on that voyage; an
after many weeks we made the port c
Calcutta, where left the ship and tn
, sea. had had enough of sailor
| life