But They Saw
That I Would Not Go, Unless "Vi Et Armis," And They Knew That I
Had Friends And Interest Enough At Home To Make Them Suffer For
Any Injustice They Might Do Me.
It was probably this that turned
the matter; for the captain changed his tone entirely, and asked
me if, in case any one went in my place, I would give him the same
sum that S - - - gave Harris to exchange with him.
I told him that
if any one was sent on board the brig, I should pity him, and be
willing to help him to that, or almost any amount; but would not
speak of it as an exchange.
"Very well," said he. "Go forward about your business, and send
English Ben here to me!"
I went forward with a light heart, but feeling as angry, and as
much contempt as I could well contain between my teeth. English Ben
was sent aft, and in a few moments came forward, looking as though
he had received his sentence to be hung. The captain had told him
to get his things ready to go on board the brig the next morning;
and that I would give him thirty dollars and a suit of clothes.
The hands had "knocked off" for dinner, and were standing about the
forecastle, when Ben came forward and told his story. I could see
plainly that it made a great excitement, and that, unless I explained
the matter to them, the feeling would be turned against me. Ben was a
poor English boy, a stranger in Boston, and without friends or money;
and being an active, willing lad, and a good sailor for his years,
was a general favorite. "Oh, yes!" said the crew, "the captain
has let you off, because you are a gentleman's son, and have got
friends, and know the owners; and taken Ben, because he is poor,
and has got nobody to say a word for him!" I knew that this was too
true to be answered, but I excused myself from any blame, and told
them that I had a right to go home, at all events. This pacified
them a little, but Jack had got a notion that a poor lad was to be
imposed upon, and did not distinguish very clearly; and though I
knew that I was in no fault, and, in fact, had barely escaped the
grossest injustice, yet I felt that my berth was getting to be a
disagreeable one. The notion that I was not "one of them," which,
by a participation in all their labor and hardships, and having no
favor shown me, had been laid asleep, was beginning to revive.
But far stronger than any feeling for myself, was the pity I felt
for the poor lad. He had depended upon going home in the ship;
and from Boston, was going immediately to Liverpool, to see his
friends. Beside this, having begun the voyage with very few clothes,
he had taken up the greater part of his wages in the slop-chest,
and it was every day a losing concern to him; and, like all the
rest of the crew, he had a hearty hatred of California, and the
prospect of eighteen months or two years more of hide-droghing
seemed completely to break down his spirit.
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