Come Down!" Said They, As Soon As They
Saw Us; And We Went Down, And Found A Large, High Forecastle,
Well
lighted; and a crew of twelve or fourteen men, eating out of their
kids and pans, and drinking their
Tea, and talking and laughing,
all as independent and easy as so many "wood-sawyer's clerks."
This looked like comfort and enjoyment, compared with the dark
little forecastle, and scanty, discontented crew of the brig.
It was Saturday night; they had got through with their work for the
week; and being snugly moored, had nothing to do until Monday, again.
After two years' hard service, they had seen the worst, and all,
of California; - had got their cargo nearly stowed, and expected to
sail in a week or two, for Boston. We spent an hour or more with
them, talking over California matters, until the word was passed -
"Pilgrims, away!" and we went back with our captain. 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.
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