The First Day Of "All Hands," One Of Those Little
Incidents Occurred, Which Are Nothing In Themselves, But Are Great
Matters In The Eyes Of A Ship's Company, As They Serve To Break The
Monotony Of A Voyage, And Afford Conversation To The Crew For Days
Afterwards.
These small matters, too, are often interesting, as they
show the customs and state of feeling on shipboard.
In merchant vessels, the captain gives his orders as to the ship's
work, to the mate, in a general way, and leaves the execution of
them, with the particular ordering, to him. This has become so fixed
a custom, that it is like a law, and is never infringed upon by a wise
master, unless his mate is no seaman; in which case, the captain must
often oversee things for himself. This, however, could not be said
of our chief mate; and he was very jealous of any encroachment upon
the borders of his authority.
On Monday morning, the captain told him to stay the fore-topmast
plumb. He accordingly came forward, turned all hands to, with
tackles on the stays and back-stays, coming up with the seizings,
hauling here, belaying there, and full of business, standing between
the knightheads to sight the mast, - when the captain came forward,
and also began to give orders. This made confusion, and the mate,
finding that he was all aback, left his place and went aft, saying to
the captain -
"If you come forward, sir, I'll go aft.
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