Four Light
Hands, Of About The Same Size And Age, Of Whom I Was One, Formed The
Crew.
Each had his oar and seat numbered, and we were obliged to be
in our places, have our oars scraped white, our tholepins in, and the
fenders over the side.
The bow-man had charge of the boat-hook and
painter, and the coxswain of the rudder, yoke, and stern-sheets.
Our duty was to carry the captain and agent about, and passengers
off and on; which last was no trifling duty, as the people on shore
have no boats, and every purchaser, from the boy who buys his pair
of shoes, to the trader who buys his casks and bales, were to be
taken off and on, in our boat. Some days, when people were coming
and going fast, we were in the boat, pulling off and on, all day long,
with hardly time for our meals; making, as we lay nearly three
miles from shore, from forty to fifty miles' rowing in a day.
Still, we thought it the best berth in the ship; for when the
gig was employed, we had nothing to do with the cargo, except
small bundles which the passengers carried with them, and no
hides to carry, besides the opportunity of seeing everybody,
making acquaintances, hearing the news, etc. Unless the captain
or agent were in the boat, we had no officer with us, and often had
fine times with the passengers, who were always willing to talk and
joke with us.
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