They Were
A Hardy, But Intelligent Crew; A Little Roughened, And Their Clothes
Patched And Old, From California Wear; All Able Seamen, And Between
The Ages Of Twenty And Thirty-Five.
They inquired about our vessel,
the usage, etc., and were not a little surprised at the story of
the flogging.
They said there were often difficulties in vessels
on the coast, and sometimes knock-downs and fightings, but they
had never heard before of a regular seizing-up and flogging.
"Spread-eagles" were a new kind of bird in California.
Sunday, they said, was always given in San Diego, both at the
hide-houses and on board the vessels, a large number usually
going up to the town, on liberty. We learned a good deal from
them about curing and stowing of hides, etc. and they were
anxious to have the latest news (seven months old) from Boston.
One of their first inquiries was for Father Taylor, the seamen's
preacher in Boston. Then followed the usual strain of conversation,
inquiries, stories, and jokes, which, one must always hear in a ship's
forecastle, but which are perhaps, after all, no worse, nor, indeed,
more gross, than that of many well-dressed gentlemen at their clubs.
CHAPTER XVI
LIBERTY-DAY ON SHORE
The next day being Sunday, after washing and clearing
decks, and getting breakfast, the mate came forward with
leave for one watch to go ashore, on liberty. We drew lots,
and it fell to the larboard, which I was in. Instantly all was
preparation. Buckets of fresh water, (which we were allowed in
port,) and soap, were put in use; go-ashore jackets and trowsers
got out and brushed; pumps, neckerchiefs, and hats overhauled;
one lending to another; so that among the whole each one got a
good fit-out. A boat was called to pull the "liberty men" ashore,
and we sat down in the stern sheets, "as big as pay passengers,"
and jumping ashore, set out on our walk for the town, which was
nearly three miles off.
It is a pity that some other arrangement is not made in merchant
vessels, with regard to the liberty-day. When in port, the crews
are kept at work all the week, and the only day they are allowed
for rest or pleasure is the Sabbath; and unless they go ashore on
that day, they cannot go at all. I have heard of a religious captain
who gave his crew liberty on Saturdays, after twelve o'clock.
This would be a good plan, if shipmasters would bring themselves to
give their crews so much time. For young sailors especially, many
of whom have been brought up with a regard for the sacredness of
the day, this strong temptation to break it, is exceedingly injurious.
As it is, it can hardly be expected that a crew, on a long and
hard voyage, will refuse a few hours of freedom from toil and the
restraints of a vessel, and an opportunity to tread the ground and
see the sights of society and humanity, because it is on a Sunday.
It is too much like escaping from prison, or being drawn out of a
pit, on the Sabbath day.
I shall never forget the delightful sensation of being in the
open air, with the birds singing around me, and escaped from
the confinement, labor, and strict rule of a vessel - of being
once more in my life, though only for a day, my own master.
A sailor's liberty is but for a day; yet while it lasts it
is perfect. He is under no one's eye, and can do whatever,
and go wherever, he pleases. This day, for the first time,
I may truly say, in my whole life, I felt the meaning of a term
which I had often heard - the sweets of liberty. My friend S - - -
was with me, and turning our backs upon the vessels, we walked
slowly along, talking of the pleasure of being our own masters,
of the times past, and when we were free in the midst of friends,
in America, and of the prospect of our return; and planning where
we would go, and what we would do, when we reached home. It was
wonderful how the prospect brightened, and how short and tolerable
the voyage appeared, when viewed in this new light. Things looked
differently from what they did when we talked them over in the little
dark forecastle, the night after the flogging at San Pedro. It is
not the least of the advantages of allowing sailors occasionally
a day of liberty, that it gives them a spring, and makes them feel
cheerful and independent, and leads them insensibly to look on the
bright side of everything for some time after.
S - - - and myself determined to keep as much together as possible,
though we knew that it would not do to cut our shipmates; for,
knowing our birth and education, they were a little suspicious
that we would try to put on the gentleman when we got ashore,
and would be ashamed of their company; and this won't do with
Jack. When the voyage is at an end, you may do as you please,
but so long as you belong to the same vessel, you must be a
shipmate to him on shore, or he will not be a shipmate to you on
board. Being forewarned of this before I went to sea, I took no
"long togs" with me, and being dressed like the rest, in white duck
trowsers, blue jacket and straw hat, which would prevent my going
in better company, and showing no disposition to avoid them, I set
all suspicion at rest. Our crew fell in with some who belonged
to the other vessels, and, sailor-like, steered for the first
grog-shop. This was a small mud building, of only one room, in
which were liquors, dry and West India goods, shoes, bread, fruits,
and everything which is vendible in California.
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