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 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ^ ^^* 
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AUTOBIOGRAPHY 
 
 OF 
 
 Capt. Benjamin Webster 
 
 TO WHICH IS ADDED EXTRACTS 
 FROM THE 
 
 DIA^RY 
 
 OF 
 
 Mrs. Benjamin Webster 
 
 
 PORTLAND, ME- 
 TRE THURSTON PRINT 
 1900. 
 

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 c e e c c e e c. 
 

 CHAPTER 1. '^ ^ '" • ^^ o ....... . 
 
 JOHN WEBSTER. 
 
 John Webster, my grandfather, was born in Cold Kirby, coast 
 of England, September 15, 1749. He learned the tailorHrade 
 there, and at the age of about twenty-one, embarked for Boston. 
 He landed there in a strange country, without relatives or ac- 
 quaintance. One guinea was all his earthly treasure. 
 Doubtless he was lonely so far away from his native home. In 
 one of his walks, he wandered down on one of the wharves, where 
 -he found a small vessel, — a coaster. He went on board, and en- 
 gaged in conversation with the Captain — Captain Young. He 
 inquired where Yarmouth was, and how far, and told the Captain 
 he would like to go there, but had no money to pay his passage. 
 Captain Young must have discovered something in this young 
 man, for he became interested in him, and told him he would 
 take him with him. They arrived at Yarmouth Foreside, came 
 to anchor, as it was low water they couldn't go up the river. 
 Captain Young invited him to go ashore with him and go up to 
 his house, about three-quarters of a mile from the landing, and as 
 they entered the house, Mrs. Young had a piece of cloth spread 
 on the table, just in the act of cutting out a new pair of pants 
 from another pair. 
 
 Captain Young said to his wife, "This man is a tailor. Per- 
 haps he can assist you in cutting out those pants." She said, 
 "I wish he would.'' He replied, "You must send for the boy. 
 I can't cut by another pair." 
 
 The boy came, was measured, and the pants cut. Then the 
 tailor said, "Madam, if you have a needle and thread, I will 
 make these up for you." Before he finished the pants, it was 
 known over the neighborhood, that Captain Young had brought 
 a tailor home. He had other work offered him before those pants 
 were done. He continued working at his trade in this same 
 house until he had accumulated some money and bought the 
 house, and about forty-seven acres of land, having money enough 
 to make the first payment in cash. 
 
 About this time he became acquainted with and finally mar- 
 ried a girl by the name of Patience Winslow. They began 
 housekeeping in this same house. His tailoring business not 
 
 M15368 
 
bringing in money rapidly enough^ he built himself a tan-yard, 
 
 r ' ;af«J engaged m. the business of tanning leather. He also built 
 
 'chi?ii salt-V'oife'. ; '^leve he was for years tanning and making salt. 
 
 c c .IJere- fi?/,ec children y/eye born to him, three daughters and two 
 
 ''.',' ^A)hs-;r,?wih; Wehste'r/cEenjamin, my father, Betsey, Hannah, and 
 
 Jane. All lived to grow up, and started prosperously in life. 
 
 I think he must have been a rather eccentric man, from the 
 
 stories my father has told me about him. 
 
 One was that he was put out with one of his neighbors, would 
 have no dealings with him and would not even speak when they 
 met. About this time the minister preached a sermon in which 
 he said a good deal about loving one another. A Monday morn- 
 ing, one of the brothers of the Church called on my grandfather, 
 and had a talk with him about living in that way with his 
 neighbor, whose name, by the way, was Deacon Hayes. He 
 says, "It's not my fault, for if I should speak to him he wouldn't 
 answer." The neighbor replied, "0, I think he would." 
 
 About this time. Deacon Hayes was seen coming up the road 
 on his old white horse. As he came along, my grandfather said, 
 "Deacon Hayes, I think you look blacker than ever this morn- 
 ing." The Deacon made no reply, but hit his horse a tap with 
 the whip, and was soon out of hearing. My grandfather, turn- 
 ing to the kind neighbor, said, "I hope you are convinced it is 
 not my fault. I spoke to him and he didn't answer, as I told 
 you he would not." 
 
 x\s my grandfather did not wish to reside in a place unless he 
 could live at peace with all men, he sold out all his property, 
 and moved with his wife and five children into the town of 
 Freeport, where he had bought quite a number of hundred acres 
 of land, and built him a house and barns. He cleared up the 
 lands, till he had large fields. About this time, he built him a 
 vessel, up at his own door. He hauled her down to the river 
 about a half a mile on sleds, loaded her principally with spars 
 from his own land, put my father in command of her, a lad 
 nineteen years of age, he himself taking passage with them, 
 arriving home at Cold Kirby, l^s native place, inside of thirty- 
 one years from the time he left it, possessing this time, instead 
 of the one guinea with which he left it, the entire vessel and 
 cargo, with his nineteen year old son as master. 
 
 He found a ready market for his cargo, and returned to his 
 adopted country well pleased with his voyage. 
 
 It appears that he lived some ten years afterwards. He 
 gave his son John the home place, and my father land for a 
 large farm. A short time before his death, he took his two 
 
boys up to the division line. There they measured of? and 
 staked out a lot for a burying-ground. Then he put up stakes 
 where he was to be laid, and he said to his two sons, "I give this 
 lot for a district burying-ground, and here is where I am to be 
 laid. There is no person to be laid here until I am laid here. 
 I want you to remember this burying-ground is between your 
 two farms, and if ever you quarrel, it will be over the grave of 
 your dead father." 
 
 This is about the last that I know of him. He died at the age 
 of sixty-two, loved and respected by all that knew him except 
 Deacon Haves. 
 
 This burying-ground has been increased in its size twice from 
 land from my father's field, and is called and always will be 
 known as the Webster Cemetery, and the road that extends to 
 it and on through to the town of Pownal, as the Webster Road. 
 I have taken a great deal of pains the last fifteen years with 
 this cemetery, and have a granite base around the lot that con- 
 tains my grandfather and grandmother, my father and his two 
 wives, three sisters and a brother. 
 
 This is about all that is known of mj grandfather. 
 
 Cold Kirby March the 20—1801 
 
 Loving Brother those lines [ ] ns With tender Brotherly Love 
 to you Hopeingthay Will find you ingoodhilth Likewise All your 
 famly as thay leave me & my three Sons I Bles God for it I Re- 
 ceaved youT Letter that W^as Dated December the 16th 1800 
 With joy for I thought I Should Never hard of you more & I 
 Receaved it jenuary the 26*^^ 1801 & I Should have Rote Sowner 
 But 1 have had Sum meetings With Docter Ness But I Cannot 
 Dow No Good With him and as for his Son he tels me that he 
 have not beared of him for a Consederable time & the Last time 
 that he had a Letter from him he Wass at New- York in A 
 Martion Vessell But if Ever he Retorns home A Gain I Will 
 try him to the Bottom for his Bad Conduct If he have Any 
 prinsable at all But I thout M^' Ness Wowld a Discharged Sum 
 part of the mone But I Cannot Git him to Dow nothing till that 
 he Cee his Son & than I have my Douts on him Still if Ever 
 that he Dow Retorn But I Will take Cair of his Note till You 
 hear from me forther Loving Brother I am Glad to hear that you 
 Git forwards in the World and likeWise that Benjeman is Got 
 to Be Sutch an A Suport to you I Should Be Glad to Liv to Ever 
 have the opertunyty of Ceing him in Did England I pray to God 
 for him that the Lord Wowld Giv him that peas that paseth all 
 understanding Which the World Can Neather Giv nor take a Way 
 Likewise to you & my Loving Sister your Wife & all the Rest of 
 
your Childring that you all may Becom the famly of the Hous- 
 hold of f ath in Eite"^ness and true Holeness & as You & me Grow 
 in years that Wee may Grow in Grase & in the Knowledg of our 
 Lord jesus Crist Which is our Reasonable Sarvis. 
 
 Brother What a Stoneshing thing it is to all my Nibers to 
 hear of the holeing of your Yessell & I am Siipprised that Your 
 farme at North Yarmoth is Worth No more than 8 pounds par 
 Year But to Leave hear I Will give you an account of our Contry 
 I Rote to you in my Last Letter how Come & other things Sold 
 in old England but thay are Wors Now Wheat is Sold hear from 
 18S Shillings to 20^ Shillings par Bushel Righ at 14^ Shillings 
 a Bushel Barley 12^ Beans 12^ Otes from 5^ & 6^ & 7^ & 7^ and 
 6 pens par Bushel I my Self hass paid 7^ and 6^ pens a Bushel 
 for forty Bushels for Seed the Rest I want I will Sow of my 
 owne I have Sold tow hundred & Sixty Bushels of Otes this year 
 I have Wheat to Sarve my Self this year & potatoes is 3^ to 4^ 
 par Bushel Green Bacon is from 8^ to 9^ par Stone Now 
 when Solted & Dryed it is sold from 11^ & 6^ to 12^ par 
 Stone Rice 6^ par pound Beef & mutton 7^ & 8^ par 
 pound & Every thing Els as Solt Chanels Sope Shugar treakel 
 at very high prises Chees Old milk 5^ & 6^ par Stone Butter Was 
 Sold Last Sumber for 3^ 5^ 0^ par ferken 4 Stone to the ferken 
 the Lord help the poor for You may Sopose hear is Great Want 
 I Bles the Lord 1 have plenty Loving Brother I have had tow 
 Langishing ileneses Sins You Was in Enland But thanks be 
 to God I am in good hilth Now You Rote to know how your 
 Sister Did & how She Was Supported your Sister is Still 
 Living & much as She Wass When you Ceed hor She is With 
 a farmar in Clevland at John Hindersons & my Expens 
 But I am the most the farmers helps us But I am Near 
 twenty pounds Out John Not So much She is very harmlas & 
 Enofensif to all I Did Not Rite to you about hor for She Never 
 is Likle to have hor Reason more She trobles me When I Ce hor 
 that I Did Not Wish to troble you tow boot according to your 
 Desire I have made mention on it to you And as Long as I have 
 it She Shal not Want 
 
 Brother had you comed to England With a Cargo of Wheat this 
 Sumber You Would maid a profittable Yoige but your Wood is 
 Nearly Worth as much more as it Wass When You Wear hear 
 Last Both plank Staves & timber you Are Showr to make A very 
 advantages Voige 1 think Lode With What you Will & Brother 
 if you Should Colect timber to Build a vessel to Com to England 
 if Benjeman Come Captan my tow Eldist Sons have Satteled 
 thair minds to Com to try thair fortons in Amereca John my 
 
Eldest Son he is forman With One of Our Leeding farmers he 
 is not with the Same master that he wass With Last year But he 
 is With his Last masters Brother for thay Wowld not part With 
 him he is Yong Sound & Strong, & he is very Cairful of his 
 mone & Can Go throu his Bisenis in plowing Sowing mowing 
 hedging Ditching Stacking Both Corn & hay that if Sutch A 
 thing Should fole out I hope you Will find him a plase With 
 Sum Gentleman farmer prette I^ear you for thay ar Detarmined 
 to Go by Your Derections & As for the Yonger I think he must 
 Eader Stay With you or Els With Benjeman at INTorth Yarmoth 
 he is 22 years of Age he have Lived Last year With his Brother 
 Which he put him forwards in Bisanis & he Livs this year With 
 Eichard Bar Your Compannean Yhen you Came to Amereca he 
 is Capabel of ondertakeing and maniging a tolarrable f arme & he 
 is vere Cairful of his mone that I am not much afraid of them 
 if thay have thair hilths you Desired me to let you know Con- 
 sarning my Wifes famly She Came from Near Bedel the west of 
 Yorksher She is fefted in hor Substans that She had in one 
 hundred & forty five pounds But you are not Likely to know 
 None of them pray Giv me a Line as Sonne as Binjiman Come 
 home Which I shall Lowk for So no more at prisant from your 
 Loving Brother 
 
 W^^ Webster 
 
 To M'' John Webster 
 at freeport in Cascay Bay 
 New England Near 
 Boston to Go By Halefax 
 packet Novescotia With Caire 
 
 My grandmother remained a few years at the home-place, 
 then went to live with her daughter Hannah, Mrs. Holbrook. 
 Her husband was considered rich for those times. She died 
 there somewhere near 1820. The old house is still standing, 
 and when t go to Freeport, I look at it. It was there that I saw 
 my grandmother, and this is the only time that I have any rec- 
 ollection of her. She lies at the side of her husband in the 
 Webster Cemeterv. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 JONADAB WAITE, AND HIS DESCENDANTS. 
 
 My mother was a descendant of John Waite, son of Jonadab 
 Waite. He was born in 1700^, and came from Newbury, Mass. 
 He ran a packet from Portland to Boston for quite a number 
 of years. His house was near where the Portland Works now 
 are. He had ten children, and a distinguished posterity. His 
 children were Benjamin, born in Newbury, 1725, Colonel in 
 Samuel Waldo's regiment in 1762, Hannah, Sarah, John Jr., 
 Stephen, Abigail, Mary, Isaac, Rebecca, and Emma. This Ben- 
 jamin was my grandfather's father. 
 
 John was captain of the artillery, and distinguished himself 
 at the battle of Quebec when Wolfe was killed. On his return, 
 he was made colonel, and appointed high sheriff, which office 
 he held for about thirty-four years. When Drew was hung on 
 Mountjoy Hill, he hired a man by the name of Loring from 
 North Yarmouth, and gave him ten dollars for hanging him, 
 and then immediately gave up his office as sheriff, saying that he 
 would not hold any office in which he was obliged to take a man's 
 life. Still he continued to hold important offices in the town, 
 and was chosen to the Legislature in Massachusetts, quite a 
 number of times. 
 
 John Waite, his father, retired from his packet business and 
 became a merchant in Portland for a while. He was elected four 
 times selectman of the town, but preferring a quiet life, he moved 
 to Peaks Island. He owned two-ninths of the island and built 
 him a house near Trefethen's Landing. It appears that he was 
 rather an eccentric man, for in the living-room of this house he 
 built two fireplaces, one for himself and wife and one for the 
 servant. He lived in this house the remainder of his life, a 
 quiet, retired citizen. (He is buried in the Eastern Cemetery.) 
 Benjamin and Stephen were merchants in Portland, and carried 
 on an extensive West India business, owning their own vessels. 
 Vessels were small in those days. They built their vessels at 
 the Presumpscot river in Falmouth. It appears they lost very 
 heavily in the war of 1775, and Benjamin moved out to Martin's 
 Point in Falmouth. He owned most of the land there. Daniel, 
 his son, my grandfather, was born in 1773. I know not anything 
 of him until he became a young man. He lived on Little 
 
Chebeague and I think his father owned the island. He became 
 acquainted with Eachel Chandler, living on Great Chebeague. 
 He bought land and built him a house near Chandler's Cove, wa* 
 married to Eachel Chandler, and my mother was born there in 
 1790. She had one brother named Daniel, who died when a 
 young man. Later he bought land at Strout's Point now called 
 South Freeport, built a house and barn, sold his property on the 
 island and moved there in 1804, my mother then being four- 
 teen 3'ears old. I presume that my mother's education was 
 such as she could get from the district schools of those days. 
 She became a teacher in the district for quite a time. When I 
 was a small lad I often visited my grandfather and grandmother, 
 and loved to go there much, as he and my grandmother were 
 both so kind and genial. He was known as a kind neighbor, 
 and much thought of. Later in his life he lost his property. 
 He was a strong Universalist, knew the Bible almost by heart, 
 and I have heard my mother say, no minister wanted to get into 
 an argument with him on the Bible the second time. His wife 
 was a member of the Congregational Church; he was always 
 willing for her to attend her church and have neighborhood 
 meetings at his house. I remember at one time when a small lad, 
 being there at one of these evening meetings, and one of his 
 nephews, a member of the Congregational Church, wai making 
 some remarks, and quoted from the Scriptures. My grandfather 
 said: "Joshua, there's no such word in the Bible; when you 
 quote Scripture, quote it as it is.'' Then my grandfather re- 
 peated it as it was in the Bible. 
 
 They continued to live there until they became old and infirm. 
 My grandmother had a broken hip and could not walk. She was 
 taken to my father's house and remained there until her death. 
 She was never known to complain of her sufferings, but was 
 always a quiet Christian woman. Her last sickness, but a short 
 time before her death, she had my father called to her bedside, 
 and thanked him for all his kind care to her through her old 
 age, and asked God to bless him for his goodness to her. She 
 died and lies in the Webster Cemetery. (My grandfather used 
 to be at my father's a great deal afterward, but I don't think he 
 died there.) He lies bv the side of his wife. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 BENJAMIN AVEBSTER, MY FATHER. 
 
 Benjamin Webster, my father, born December 26, 177^ I 
 know but little of his childhood, but he began going to sea at 
 a very early age. I think he steadily followed this profession, 
 and became master at the age of nineteen. I think he was mar- 
 ried about the year 1804, to Lydia Soule, daughter of Samuel 
 and Eunice Soule. Their children were Timothy, Samuel, Lydia, 
 and Polly. Polly married Joseph Pratt. Timothy married 
 Nancy Chandler. Samuel had three wives. Lydia, my father's 
 wife, those that knew her agreed in calling her a very amiable 
 woman, kind, and of even disposition. She was possessed of far 
 more than the usual share of good looks and mental gifts. There 
 were three children by his marriage, John Augustine, Julia 
 Ann, and Hannah, then their mother died April 26, 1811. After 
 a while my father married Mary Waite, daughter of Daniel and 
 Rachel Waite. There were nine children by this marriage; 
 Rachel, Benjamin, Elmira, William, Mary Elizabeth, Lydia, 
 Mary Jane, Isabella, and Phoebe Francis. Mary Elizabeth, 
 Lydia, and Mary Jane died young. Rachel married Reuben 
 Roberts of Portland. After she was all dressed and ready to 
 go down and be married, she said to Mr. Roberts, "It doesn't 
 seem worth while for you to marry me to live with me short of 
 three years." She had it impressed upon her and often made 
 the remark that she shouldn't live to be thirty. There was one 
 son by this marriage, — William Webster Roberts, a citizen of 
 Portland. His mother died when he was two months old, per- 
 fectly resigned and willing to go. She used to say to those that 
 prayed with her, "Don't pray for my recovery." She lies in 
 Evergreen Cemetery. Julia Ann, after a reasonable time, mar- 
 ried her husband, Reuben Roberts. They lived together quite 
 a number of years. Mr. Roberts gave up his business on account 
 of ill health, and died after a long sickness. His wife survived 
 him until the year 1893. She died at South Paris, funeral at 
 William W. Roberts house, Portland, and now lies in Evergreen 
 Cemetery. Hannah, a very amiable girl, loved dearly by all 
 her half-brothers and sisters, married Charles Fobes of Portland. 
 I think there were seven children from this marriage; two died 
 in infancy, one a lovely girl, died at about the age of twelve. 
 
George C. lived to be about forty-five, died leaving a widow. He 
 lies now in Evergreen Cemetery. Three children still survive, 
 Charles S., Leander W., now merchants of Portland, and L. J. 
 living in Baltimore. Those three men are well known and re- 
 • speeted, and I feel proud to know that they are my sister's child- 
 ren. Elmira married Edward Chandler, and had four children, 
 three still alive. Edward Chandler died at sea. Elmira died 
 at home in Freeport, February, 1896. Isabella married John 
 Blethen of Freeport, an industrious and honorable man. He 
 died many years ago. His wife survives him and now lives in 
 Freeport. 
 
 Phoebe Francis married Henry Fobes of South Paris, and there 
 were three children by this marriage. All lived to grow up, two 
 married, all interesting women and ornaments to society. Wil- 
 liam died at my fathers house at about the age of twenty-two, 
 and now lies in the Webster Cemetery. He was a great loss to 
 his parents, sisters, and brothers, as he was a young man of good 
 habits and endearing qualities. 
 
 The first remembrance I have of my father was when I was 
 three 3^ears old. It was a terrible northeast snow-storm. To- 
 wards night my father went to his barn to take care of his cattle, 
 while I and my sister Eachel about five years old went out for a 
 snowballing. My father, wiser than we, took such a posi- 
 tion that the wind blew directly from him to us, so that when 
 we threw any snow it all blew back into our faces.. 'Twas but a 
 few minutes before we were completely snow-blinded and lying 
 in the drifts crying. My father picked us up, and taking one 
 under each arm carried us into the house. • As years have rolled 
 around, I have never forgotten this incident, and realize that 
 we lost the battle entirely by my father's superior wisdom in 
 the selection of a position, and taking advantage of the wind. 
 
 I rem?ember my father as generally being kind to his children 
 but at times, perhaps, stern. His word was law with us, from 
 which there was no appealing. I relate another incident illus- 
 trating his discipline. This was when I was about four or five 
 years old. Our house was a common farmhouse, the chambers 
 unfinished, and it was not an uncommon thing in a heavy driving 
 \ / storm to wake up in the morning and find quite a pile of snow on 
 /\the bed. This was before the time of stoves in houses, and all 
 the fire we generally had was in a very large fireplace in a large 
 kitchen. We children used to stand up before this fireplace 
 and warm one side and then turn round and warm the other. 
 Perhaps in the back part of the kitchen it would be cold enough 
 to freeze. One of these cold mornings, when the thermometer 
 
10 
 
 would surely have been down below zero, if we had had one, I got 
 up in this cold unfinished shed chamber, put on my clothes, took 
 my stockings and shoes, and came down into the kitchen, jam- 
 ming my way in amongst the other children to get to the fire to 
 put on my stockings and shoes. One of the other children cried 
 out, "Don't shove me away from the fire ;" my father coming in 
 from the feeding his stock, entered the kitchen ; and overhearing 
 the remark, and seeing the action, said, "Benjamin, take your 
 stockings and shoes and go out doors and put them on." It was 
 done without a whimper, feeling that it was a father's command 
 and therefore all right. Later, perhaps two or three years after, 
 something happened to displease me very much and I wouldn't 
 eat any supper. For this display of temper I was sent to bed 
 The next morning, I was as fast in getting my chair to the table 
 for breakfast as any other one. My father said, "Benjamin, 
 last night you had your way, wouldn't eat any supper ; this morn- 
 ing I shall have my way, you shan't have any breakfast." Some 
 people in these days may think this rigid discipline, but we 
 children loved and respected our father, and as we grew older, 
 we began to find out the kindness of his heart. He was always 
 ready to lend a hand in sickness ; kind in giving to the poor ; a 
 man of strong will, and good judgment and often referred to for 
 advice by his neighbors. 
 
 I remember once that one of his neighbors on going into the 
 woods with Ms team about a mile and a half from my father's 
 house, sent a message to my father a little later saying, "Mr. 
 Winslow has got badly hurt by a tree falling in the woods, and 
 sends for you to come and get him home." My father went with 
 all haste, got a straw bed and a feather bed from a house, placed 
 them upon his own sled, and brought Mr. Winslow to his own 
 house. Before doing this he had sent for the doctor to come with 
 all haste possible to the house. I think he lived less than twenty- 
 four hours. I heard it said once of my father that if he should see 
 any one hungry and had only a seed-cake himself, that he would 
 break it in two and give the hungry man half, and most likely he 
 would break his half in two and give him half of that. 
 
 I remember another case where he was going into the woods, 
 and met an old gentleman by the name of Blaney Carver. Car- 
 ver said: — "Uncle Ben, give me a chew of tobacco;" my father 
 took out his tobacco box — and I well remember how bright and 
 shining it always looked, and he always used to cut up his 
 tobacco in small pieces enough for one quid, and fill up his box 
 with these quids, — handed the box to Mr. Carver, who took it, 
 watching his chance, and emptied the whole contents into his 
 
11 
 
 hand, then closed the box and handed it back to my father. 
 They separated, my father to the woods. He felled a tree, and 
 seeing what a great task he had before him to cut the tree up 
 into wood, before beginning on it, thought he would take a chew 
 of tobacco, and opened the box only to find it empty. I believe 
 if he could have gotten hold of Mr. Carver that he would have 
 shaken him in such a way as to make Mr. Carver think he was 
 anything but kind. 
 
 I will relate one more of his kind acts. One Sunday morning, 
 after quite a storm of light snow to the depth of several inches, 
 my father and brother John and myself, probably about nine 
 years old, started for meeting three miles and a half in the sleigh. 
 As we drove down the Webster road and turned into the country 
 road, we saw two young men walking down Todd's Hill. My 
 father said, "Probably these are two sailors shipped in Portland 
 yesterday who have run away." As we came to the hill on the 
 other side of the bridge, my father got out of the sleigh to walk 
 up the hill. He walked slowly, and the two men coming up, he 
 engaged them in conversation. They had been shipwrecked and 
 had lost everything that they had. They were on board of the 
 brig Sirius, Sylvanus Blanchard of Xorth Yarmouth, master, 
 from Liverpool, bound for Portland. This was before any lights 
 on Cape Elizabeth. With a fair wind a good stiff breeze he 
 plumped her on to Alden's Ledge, and stove a hole in her. The 
 water pouring in and the cargo of salt running out, they had just 
 time to get the boats and escape with their lives, losing every- 
 thing else. They rowed into Portland Harbor, and brought 
 themselves the news of the loss of the Sirius. These two young 
 men started on foot to walk to their home in Brunswick. When 
 we reached the top of the hill, father got into the sleigh and we 
 jogged along to meeting. When we reached the meeting-house 
 at Freeport Corner, my father and I got out, and he sent my 
 brother, John, back with the horse and sleigh to meet and take 
 those two younsf men and carrv them to Brunswick. Thus bv 
 his kindness they were helped along some thirteen miles, and 
 welcomed home perhaps by parents and sisters. 
 
 A few years after this, I started away cook of a coaster, and 
 after this I was away so much that the time spent at home seemed 
 more like visits. I well remember the time when I was nineteen 
 years and four months old that I was promoted from being a 
 common sailor to mate of the same vessel and with the same Cap- 
 tain. How pleased my father was. I well remember the lesson 
 he gave me in discipline. He said; "You are just starting to be 
 an officer of a vessel and what you do in the future depends on 
 
12 
 
 the way you begin. Eemember that you are the Captain's 
 mate and it is your duty to strive to please him, and as to the 
 sailors, be sure that you are never any mate to them, never have 
 any conversation with them unless you tell them to do some- 
 thing, then be sure that you speak loud enough, so that they can 
 hear, and never repeat the order or receive a back answer/* 
 Also when I became master he was pleased for I was quite 
 young, — in my twenty-second year. Then he had to give me 
 some good advice. One thing he told me I have always remem- 
 bered and practised, — never to carry any more sail on the vessel 
 in thick and heavy weather than what I could haul off with, 
 and always be sure to keep the vessel under such canvas as I 
 could handle and keep command of her. 
 
 I was only at home during short intervals up to the year '41. 
 Then having a new vessel built for me at Yarmouth, I came 
 home to take charge of her some little while before she was 
 launched. Mv brother William was then at home. He was 
 taken ill with the typhus fever and died in September, '41. We 
 returned from the cemetery after leaving him there, and went to 
 the house, — sisters with their husbands and some other kind 
 friends filled the room. My father not being there, I went to 
 find him, to the barn and elsewhere. One of my little sisters, 
 probably Isabella, told me she saw him going down across the 
 field. I started in the direction indicated and as I came near 
 the bank of the intervale, I saw him sitting on the edge of the 
 bank under a small oak tree, his head in his hands. As I drew 
 near, I heard his groans. I think I reached him before he was 
 aware that any one was near him, laid my hand on his shoulder 
 and said, "Father." He turned his face and looked towards 
 me ; — no tears, but that distressed look of grief, I well remember. 
 He said to me, "Benjamin," — and I think it was 'twenty-seven' 
 he said, — "Benjamin, twenty-seven days ago I sat where I now 
 am, and your brother William was on this tree with a saw. I 
 told him which limbs to saw off. When be was through he came 
 down, and I said to him, 'William, I want you to keep this tree 
 to remember me by;' but now he is gone and we have it to re- 
 member him by." In saying these last words he broke com- 
 pletely down and gave way to his feelings, which was the first of 
 the kind that I had ever seen in my father. 
 
 Fifty-seven years have passed, and this tree has grown to be 
 
 quite a large oak, and when I visit the home-place, I go to that 
 
 spot under the tree, stand upon the place where my father sat, 
 
 and the scenes that I passed through then with him so many years 
 
 ago, are fresh in my mind. I make arrangements with every 
 
13 
 
 one who lives at the home-place never to cut the tree down, as I 
 wish it to remain through mine and my only sister's life; and 
 others that come after can visit it and be told of its story, 
 
 I remember the first time that one little lad that calls me 
 grandfather visited the cemetery with me and his mother. He is 
 named for my brother William Webster Hight. I took him from 
 his mother's arms as she sat in the carriage, carried him to this 
 grave, and he held on to the headstone, then he took a few steps, 
 not thinking nor knowing that the one he was named for was 
 buried in earth beneath his feet. I carried him back to the car- 
 riage and placed him again in his mother's lap. She said, 
 '^That is the first time that he ever took a step on his feet out 
 doors." Since then, the last time I took him there he was seven 
 years old. He stood again by the headstone while I told him the 
 story of the one he was named for. Then I took him by the hand 
 and led him to this oak tree. We sat down there while I told 
 him the story that is written above. I am in hopes to visit that 
 place many times with him as he grows older, and in hopes the 
 story will make that impression upon his mind that will always 
 be remembered by him, and that he will continue in his man- 
 hood to visit the sacred spot where the one lies that he is named 
 for, and that he may visit the old oak tree, and tell the story to 
 those that are younger than he. 
 
 My father was subject to severe attacks of the rheumatism. 
 As he was recovering from one of these, he loaded up his wagon 
 with corn and rye and started for the mill. As he came near the 
 mill, going down a hill the breeching or iron that it is hooked 
 to, gave way and brought the wagon upon the horse. The horse 
 started upon a run. As he came to the foot of the hill, the mill 
 was on the right, and there was a horse-shed with an open front 
 a little on the left. If the horse had continued straight ahead 
 he would have gone into the river, and horse, carriage and man 
 would have gone over the dam. But with great presence of mind 
 he turned the horse to the left into the shed. As he entered 
 the shed my father rose up and threw his arms over a brace of 
 the shed, and was jerked out of the wagon in a twinkling. He 
 let go of the brace and dropped down. The miller ran to him, 
 got hold of him and helped him up, and said "Captain Webster, 
 are you hurt?" His reply was "My folks was very much con- 
 sarned how I was going to get out of this wagon ; I'd like to see 
 the man who could do it quicker than I have." When the 
 horse's head went towards the back of the shed he stove off the 
 boards and the horse's breast brought up against the girth. 
 This strong girth prevented him from going into the river. 
 
14 
 
 I have all these circumstances from the miller, who witnessed 
 the whole transaction and told me. His grist was ground, loaded 
 by the miller, and my father came home and lay down on the 
 lounge looking pale and appearing exhausted. My mother got 
 something for him to take, and told him "I knew all the time that 
 you weren't in a situation to go to the mill, and now I think you 
 begin to realize it yourself." I was there and heard these remarks. 
 My father did not make much of any reply, but let them have 
 their own way of talking and thinking, not telling of the great 
 peril he had passed through. I think it was days before they 
 knew. 
 
 I hold in my hand my father's staff; fifty-seven years ago 
 I brought this piece of granadilla wood from the West Indies to 
 New York, and had the staff turned out and sent it to him. He 
 used it through the remainder of his life and prized it very highly 
 because his son sent it to him. If possible I prize it more than 
 he did because it was the staff of mv father. I often think whom 
 it will be handed down to after I am done with it. I hope that 
 it may be kept for generations so that the story of the staff can 
 be told to some vet unborn. 
 
 The pitcher that is on the bracket in my sitting-room wa& 
 brought home by my father in 1801. In the spring of 1861 my 
 father and mother came to my house in Yarmouth to make me a 
 visit. Before he went into the house he went to the sleigh, took 
 out the pitcher well wrapped up and guarded so it shouldn't 
 break. As he took it out he stripped the wrapping from it, and 
 handed it to me, saying, "I wanted to be sure that you had this." 
 
 I think it was the winter of 1860 that my father was quite 
 ill all winter, and I used to go there often, and found him quite 
 discouraged and down at the heel. The doctor that attended him 
 was a neighbor of mine in Yarmouth. I saw him drive into his 
 doorway one very cold day, and, thinking thai he had been at my 
 father's I went out and said to him, "Doctor, have you been up to 
 father's?" "Yes." "How did you find him?" "Well Captain, 
 your father is an old man ;" was the reply ; "I am in hopes to \\k. 
 him up so that he will get out in the Spring, but I tell you he is 
 an old man." I took it that he thought he couldn't do any more 
 for him. 
 
 Previous to this some six or twelve months, a neighbor came 
 into mv house and said, "When I came down from Montreal 
 I brought a case of whiskey, and I know it to be good, and I want 
 you to have a bottle of it." When I returned from the Doctoi 
 I told my wife what he had said and told her I was going to 
 carry that bottle of whiskey up to him. She brought the bottle 
 
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 ' 3 ' 
 
 5 > 3 3 
 OO o 5 
 
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15 
 
 of whiskey to me and I drew the cork, and she probably turned 
 out two or three tablespoonfuls, and added as much lavender. 
 This wa;:^ merely to give it a coloring so that he should not dis- 
 cover that it was whiskey. So I harnessed my horse and drove 
 three and a half miles to my father's. It was very cold, I put 
 u]» my horse, went into the house and found my father sitting 
 in a big chair all wrapped up in blankets or shawls. I said, 
 "lather, how are }0u?" His reply was, "0 Benjamin, I have 
 got almost through." Mother says "The doctor's medicine 
 doesn't do him any good and he is all down at the heel." My 
 reply was "0 don't feel that way, father, I've got some medicine 
 here that is going to help you. A friend of mine brought it from 
 Montreal, and gave me this bottle months ago. Xow, mother, 
 get me a glass and a little water, some sugar and a tablespoon.'^ 
 I mixed the water and sugar, then measured out very carefully 
 perhaps two tablespoonfuls. "There," said I, "Father, take this 
 down; this is the medicine that is going to help you." He took 
 it down at once, suspecting that it might be something unpleasant 
 to the taste, but when the glass was emptied he smacked his lips 
 and said, "Benjamin, there's spirits in that." "I don't care if 
 thtie is, I know that it is going to do you good. Mother, you see 
 iiist how I have prepared this, I want you to give him just about 
 the same liiiee times a day." I went there often and soon dis- 
 covered (hat be was gradually gaining in health. He went on 
 taking the medicine till it was all gone, then h? was out doors 
 attending to his Spring's work. My mother says to me "Can't 
 you get another bottle of that medicine for father ? He doesn't 
 need it now, but should he get down again I should like to have 
 it in the house." He lived over two years after this and my 
 mother four. They both died and never mistrusted that this 
 medicine was nothing but whiskey. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 MY BOYHOOD. 
 
 In 1861 I took charge of a ship that I owned half of and was 
 absent almost three years. My father died in my absence, in 
 November '62, and on my return we erected a monument to his 
 memory. Since then I have put a granite base around the fam- 
 ily lot. I visit it in the summer time and see that this family 
 lot is well cared for. 
 
 I was born February 25, 1814. I suppose that I was like all 
 other boys brought up with a large family and attended a dis- 
 trict school, probably as early as five years old, and had to walk 
 about a mile, carrying a lunch. The roads were but little trav- 
 eled, so that the snow was often ankle-deep and sometimes half 
 way to the knees. As the direction of the schoolhouse was about 
 north, we had to face those cold northwest and notheast winds 
 which we often found very tedious. One very cold morning we 
 were within about one-eight of a mile of the schoolhouse, I was 
 completely chilled and became very sleepy and tumbled down. 
 My sister Hannah, being always in the right place at the right 
 time, pulled me up, and she and my sister Rachel one on each 
 side, hastened me along almost more dead than alive to the school- 
 house. What a situation this was to begin a day of study at 
 school in. 
 
 Our winter schools were from eight to ten weeks, summer 
 schools about the same length. I never attended summer schools 
 much, for as soon as I was able to be any use on the farm I was 
 kept at home. My father was generally away summers, and the 
 management of everything came upon my mother. She was a 
 great financier, and understood the management of things well. 
 If she had not been so, she would not have been able to bring up 
 the family of children that she did on the means that she had, 
 and make the good appearance she did with them. 
 
 I remember one time I was sent on an errand with the horse 
 and wagon, about a mile away from home. I had done the er- 
 rand, got into the wagon and started for home. Going down the 
 hill the horse started on a run. I braced my feet and held on the 
 reins with all the strength and vigor that any other eight year 
 old boy could have done, but still, making a turn, out I went and 
 one of the wagon wheels passed over my bare foot. The horse 
 
17 
 
 had turned up the road out of sight, but I up and ran after him. 
 As I went round the turn of the road, I saw a man had stopped 
 the horse and held him by the head. I ran until I came up with 
 them, got into the wagon, drove home, unharnessed the horse and 
 put him in the pasture, and gave my mother the answer to the 
 errand upon which I had been sent. I did not dare to say a word 
 about being thrown out of the wagon, for fear that I would not 
 be trusted away with the horse again. This was about the season 
 of hoeing the potatoes, and I used to work in the field alone, my 
 foot paining me terribly. After about three days I told a boy 
 the whole circumstances; he told a woman, a neighbor of ours 
 about it, how my foot pained me and that I could hardly walk, 
 but that still when I came in sight of my mother I straightened 
 up and walked as though I was all right in every joint. This 
 woman came down and told my mother all about it. Nothing 
 was said till I came from the field, when to my surprise my 
 mother related all the circumstances to me. I don't remember 
 just what she said, but I do believe that there were fully as many 
 hills of potatoes hoed as though I had not fallen out of the wagon. 
 
 Another adventure I had with this horse and carriage. I was 
 going on an errand and a young man in the neighborhood helped 
 me harness the horse. When the horse was harnessed, I well re- 
 member telling him that the horse was too near the wagon and 
 that the tugs ought to be lengthened out and the breeching taken 
 up. He said it was all right and I started off. Going down the 
 first hill the wagon came upon the horse and he started on a run. 
 As I was ascending the next hill, standing up and holding on with 
 all my might, to check the horse, — all to no purpose, I discovered 
 two young women one of whom had a sled-stake perhaps four or 
 five feet long. As the horse came up she struck him squarely in 
 the head with this stake. I think the horse went on his knees, and 
 I went sprawling on the ground. These young women helped 
 me fix the harness right and 1 proceeded safely, did my errand 
 and returned home. I never told my mother of this and don't 
 think she ever heard of this adventure. I have always remem- 
 bered with the kindliest feelings this young woman who displayed 
 such presence of mind. She afterward married and lived in 
 Bangor, — is now deceased. 
 
 I had many other adventures with this horse. ' One time he 
 was unharnessed from the wagon. I got on him to drive him 
 to the pasture. He started on a run, and off I went. He either 
 stepped on me or kicked me, and made the blood come. I have 
 marks of the wound still, although they were received perhaps 
 seventy-four or seventy-five years ago. The horse went to the 
 
18 
 
 bars and stopped ; I let the bars down, took the bridle from him, 
 and went home with my face bleeding. Another time I went to 
 put him in the pasture, and he started on a run, leaped over the 
 bars, off I went, and the horse we never got for three days. I 
 don't remember anything about the bridle. 
 
 I remember one more incident with this horse. I was sent 
 to mill. The bags of grain placed upon the horse's back, and 
 I on top of them, jogged off to the mill, three and a half miles. 
 I rode right into the mill, the miller took the bags from the 
 horse, I led the horse to the shed; then when the grist was 
 ground I led the horse into the mill again, the miller placed the 
 bags on the horse and me on top of them. I went home, 
 doubtless feeling smart as though I was doing the work of a man, 
 although not over nine years old. 
 
 In my school days I had to walk home a mile, and, — my father 
 being absent, — some of the time I had to do all the work of the 
 farm in his stead, such as to put up the cattle, consisting of a 
 yoke of oxen, three or four cows, two or three young cattle, feed 
 them, get in a big pile of wood for the large fireplace, all before 
 supper, although it might not be before dark. 
 
 So things went on probably much the same as with the other 
 boys until the summer I was ten years old. What work was done on 
 the farm was hired by the day except what I did. Well do I re- 
 member the lonely days I spent hoeing corn and potatoes by my- 
 self. When it came fall I had them to dig. One day I had the 
 sled with flour barrels on it at the potato patch, and had been dig- 
 ging and filling the barrels ; then when they were full, I got the 
 oxen and put them on the sled to haul them to the house. The 
 oxen feeling that they were overloaded, I worked away with them, 
 geeing and hawing, but made but very little progress. Mother 
 seeing how things were, sent one of the little girls down to me 
 with the message, that it was of no use for me to try any longer, 
 but dig a hole in the ground and empty the potatoes all in 
 and cover them up so they shouldn't freeze. Xow this was half 
 a day's work for a man. I had been getti*ng angry because the 
 oxen wouldn't haul the load, and when this message came from 
 my mother, it made me feel as though my anger was more than 
 I could contain, as those oxen realized by the welts that I put 
 on to them with the goad; as strength often comes with anger, 
 those oxen started, and we went to the house, oxen were taken 
 off and put up, and potatoes put into the cellar. This day's work 
 was not ended until after dark. 
 
 The next summer, father being away, we went on farming as 
 usual. In the fall I got some time to hire out with a neighbor, 
 
19 
 
 digging potatoes at a quarter of a dollar a day. I earned in all 
 something over a dollar. I was paid and felt pleased with the 
 amount of money I had, the first that I had ever earned and had 
 been paid in my life. Now comes my stupidity and my mother's 
 great financiering. I claimed this as my money ; she says "0 now 
 we'll sell you a lamb.^' So I was pleased and paid her over all 
 the money for a spring lamb. There was a certain mark on it 
 so that it was known as my lamb. Things went on, and the lamb 
 grew to be a sheep. Increase came, till I thought I had a number 
 of sheep. Being absent from home all summer, stopping at home 
 the winter, I began to enquire for my sheep and lambs. "0," 
 my mother said, "we sold the sheep with the others we sold." 
 "Well, about my lambs, where are they ?" "0 they are so mixed 
 up with the others you can't tell them apart." Thus ended the 
 first business transaction of my life. 
 
 Our nearest neighbor was about two-hundred yards away, 
 across the road, and within speaking distance. These people never 
 owned a timepiece of any kind, and it was a common thing to 
 hear them call from their door to ask what time it was. The 
 mother raised up a large family. The husband was always away 
 summers in the coasting business, and the boys were grown up 
 and all gone away, and at the time of which I speak the family 
 consisted of the mother who was crazy and the two daughters 
 from eighteen to twenty-four years of • age. I think this was 
 the summer that I was seven years old. My mother called me 
 one morning early and said, "Run quick for Mr. Chase, for Mrs. 
 Loring is beating the girls terribly." I out of bed and grabbed 
 my pants, stopping for nothing else. As I went by the house 
 the crazy woman had the two girls by the hair of their heads, 
 having it all twisted in her hands so that their ^f aces were close 
 together, while she slapped them in their faces with a shoe. I 
 was but a few rods from the house, when I saw Mr. Chase turn- 
 ing his cows into the pasture, I hollered at the top of my voice, 
 "Come quick ! Mrs. Loring is killing the girls !" He didn't 
 stop to put up the bars, but started on the run. Before he came 
 up with me I had time to put on my pants. We ran together, 
 and I well remember how he grabbed that crazy woman by the 
 throat. His grasp was so strong, that there. appeared to be but 
 one alternative for her, — to let go of the girls' hair or be choked 
 to death. She chose the former. 
 
 At another time this crazy woman had an encounter with me. 
 I and another boy about a year older than myself were digging 
 potatoes, and she came out and ordered us away. As we didn't 
 go immediately, she started on a run after us. The other bov 
 
20 
 
 dropped his hoe and ran, but as I didn't choose to run she grabbed 
 me and was giving me a terrible shaking, while at a small dis- 
 tance away the other boy began to pelt her with potatoes, being 
 however, as liable to hit me as he was her. How I released my- 
 self from her I hardly know, but as soon as I was, I joined the 
 other boy in pelting her with potatoes, and she was soon driven 
 from the field. I remember one other incident with regard to 
 this crazy woman. It seems that her daughters were preparing 
 for baking and had a fire in the brick oven in the kitchen. One 
 of my little sisters went in and the crazy woman started toward 
 her, and said, "I'll put you into that oven." One of the kitchen 
 windows being open she leaped through the window, and in one 
 bound was safe on the ground, and ran for home terribly fright- 
 ened. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 SEA LIFE COMMENCED. 
 
 The spring that I was twelve years old, I walked from my 
 father's house three miles and a half and went on board of a 
 coaster, and commenced my new occupation as cook at $4.50 per 
 month. Our first trip was to Plymouth, Mass. I well remem- 
 ber on our return that I went home to spend the night, and 
 doubtless I felt as though I had accomplished a great achieve- 
 ment. Doubtless this trip to Plymouth seemed more to me than 
 the one later in life in which I made a voyage to Europe and 
 back again. The vessel that I began going to sea in was the sloop 
 Friendship, forty-three years old. I continued in her making 
 trips to different places, going once to Newburyport: As the 
 Captain was not acquainted there we had to wait outside the bar 
 until a pilot came. I well remember all the marks that the pilot 
 told the captain, — how to go over the bar, — all the ranges and 
 marks from the bar to the city, and I remember it all as distinctly 
 as if it were but a few weeks ago, instead of seventy years. Thir- 
 teen years afterwards I was master of a vessel from New Orleans, 
 deeply loaded with a cargo of corn, pork and lard for Newbury- 
 port. I carried my vessel in over the bar and up to the wharf 
 and out without a pilot, going by the marks and ranges that I 
 heard the pilot describe to the Captain thirteen years before. 
 
 About the month of July, the owners of the vessel that I was 
 in had built a schooner and named her the Lucy. They took me 
 from this sloop and made me cook of the schooner, at an advance 
 in wages of 50 cents per month making $5. We continued coasting 
 to different places. One of our trips was to New York, with a 
 cargo of granite. This was used towards building the U. S. 
 hotel. 
 
 I well remember one Sunday afternoon that I had liberty and 
 felt as though I should like to go to church. I strolled round 
 and by enquiring found out where the seaman's Bethel was. We 
 had to go up some three to five steps to enter the door. I stood 
 there not having confidence enough to go in ; although there were 
 people going in all the time, no one took any notice of me. At 
 last a gentleman came along— I remember him well — stopped and 
 spoke to me and asked me if I wouldn't go in to meeting. I 
 
22 
 
 think he took me by the hand and led me to a seat up the center 
 aisle a few seats from the pulpit. Then he went into the pulpit. 
 I often went to hear this man preach. Sixteen years afterwards 
 I went there to meeting again. I waited till the minister — the 
 same man, Kev. Mr. Chase — came from the pulpit, then made my 
 business known to him. That night he married me to the woman 
 that I lived with fifty-one years and two months. 
 
 Late in the fall, the schooner went up Royal's River, to what 
 is called Davis' Landing to load with another cargo of granite 
 for New York. To get up this narrow river we have to work 
 tide-work — have a rope out on each bow of the vessel and men on 
 the salt marsh hauling her up by these ropes. One night while 
 we were getting her up shortly before daylight I had to go and 
 pull on these ropes as well as the men, although not thirteen years 
 old. When I jumped out of the boat on to the salt-marsh, I 
 jumped into ice perhaps as thick as window-glass that had made 
 along the edge of the marsh and I was barefooted. 
 
 When this vessel was loaded to go away I left her to stop ashore 
 to go to school perhaps eight or ten weeks. In all this time I 
 had drawn not any of my wages, but as there were no steam- 
 boats or railroads at that time, we frequently had a passenger 
 or two. Sometimes they would give me a little change. Days 
 after I came home, my father went to Yarmouth, as I believe, 
 to settle up with the owner of the vessel and get my wages. He 
 came home and we got our supper, and as we were sitting 
 around the old-fashioned kitchen fire, he took out his pocketbook 
 and handed it to my mother, saying "Here Mary, put this in the 
 desk." She went with it into the other room, and came out and 
 handed me a quarter of a dollar. This is what I received from 
 my eight months' work as cook of a coaster. This seems but 
 a small amount in these days for a boy to have to last him 
 through the winter. 
 
 Early in the spring I started again as cook on board the 
 schooner Milo, Captain David Seabury of Yarmouth. In about 
 ten months Captain Seabury gave her up to Captain William 
 Chandler. I remained through the whole summer, then Captain 
 Chandler got a larger vessel, and I went with him away for the 
 winter. For the next five years I was in different vessels, some 
 of the time fishing and some of the time coasting. 
 
 In March, 1832, 1 came to Portland looking round the wharves, 
 and found the brig Globe. She was called quite a large vessel 
 for those days — three-hundred and eighteen tons, and carried a 
 crew of eight men besides the officers. I found out where the 
 
23 
 
 owner lived, and went to his house knocked or rang the bell ; 
 the owner himself, who was Captain Samuel Porter, formerly of 
 Freeport, and who had built this vessel in Freeport, come to the 
 door. I made known that I wanted a chance to go in his 
 vessel. "Where do you belong ?" said he. I replied "Freeport." 
 "What^s your name?" "Webster." "Are you Captain Ben. 
 Webster's boy?" "I am." I made arrangements with him to 
 come down and join^the vessel the next week. Before I left him, 
 I wanted to know how much wages he would give me. "0," he 
 said, "I shall give you what is right," or words to that effect. 
 
 I came down at the appointed time, and carried my clothing 
 on board the vessel. There was no one there but the mate, and 
 so I went to the owner's house again, and told him I had come at 
 the time appointed. "Well," he said, "I suppose you want two 
 or three days to look around and see the place?" "No sir," I 
 replied, "I came at the time you told me, and I have no money to 
 pay my expenses to be idle." "Well,^' he said, "you go down 
 aboard the vessel and I'll be down soon." He soon came down 
 and had a talk with the mate, which resulted in five other young 
 fellows and a cook joining the vessel the next morning. We went 
 on loading this vessel, the cargo being mostly mackerel and hay, 
 and the mate acting as stevedore. His name was Hacker, from' 
 Brunswick, an excellent sailor man. I think he must have taken 
 quite a liking to me for he gave me a great deal of valuable in- 
 struction such as teaching me navigation and so on. We, six 
 young fellows and the mate, did all the work in loading this 
 vessel, bent all her sails and got her ready for sea. Then the 
 other men were shipped and the second mate and the Captain who 
 was Captain Joseph Dennison of Freeport, and we sailed for Xew 
 Orleans. We had a fifty-three days' passage from Portland to 
 New Orleans. 
 
 We got all out of water except some casks between decks that 
 had been aboard the vessel all winter in Portland and froze up. 
 But as we had been in warm weather so long they had thawed 
 out, and we had to commence using the water from these. But 
 it smelled very bad and tasted worse if possible, so we drank very 
 little, only enough to get along with. After we arrived in New 
 Orleans these casks were hoisted out on deck, and the water ran 
 out of them, and out came a number of dead rats, the hair washed 
 off them and the remainder of them pretty well soaked up. 
 When we saw this many of us turned away sick. It appears 
 that when this vessel came home to Portland these casks were 
 filled with water and the bungs being left out the rats went in for 
 water. 
 
24 
 
 We discharged this vessel as we had loaded her in Portland, 
 without any extra hired help, then loaded with cotton for Liver- 
 pool. Before we left New Orleans, it became very sickly with 
 fever and cholera. When we arrived in Liverpool we found they 
 had the cholera very bad there, but we all escaped it, discharged 
 our cotton, and loaded with salt for Portland. My next vessel 
 that I joined was the topsail schooner Mary. I was in her some 
 three or four months and we returned to Yarmouth, where all 
 hands and the mate were discharged except the Captain and my- 
 self. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 t 
 
 MY COMMENCEMENT AS MATE. 
 
 • He offered me the mate's situation and I accepted it, although 
 but a few months over nineteen vears old. I remained with this 
 vessel some over a year ; made two trips to Philadelphia as mate 
 of another schooner, then joined the new brig Stranger, Captain 
 Clement Soule of Freeport. Eleven months after I joined thi^» 
 vessel as mate we were loading in New York for Mobile in the 
 month of July, and Captain Soule offered me the command of 
 this vessel. Then I was about twenty-one years and six months 
 old. I told him that I could not accept the situation, giving as 
 my reasons that I thought that I had not had experience enough 
 to take the command on the voyage that the vessel was to make. 
 I told him that the following months were hurricane months, 
 and if I was master and should become dismasted on getting into 
 a hurricane, or if we arrived in Mobile and the crew became sick, 
 it being the sickly season, it would be a bad beginning for me. 
 I told him that, under all the circumstances, I could not accept 
 the situation, but I would continue mate with him if he went the 
 voyage. We arrived in Mobile safely and left in ballast for New 
 York. 
 
 Soon after we got to sea some of the men were taken down 
 sick. Then I was taken sick soon after. With so many of us 
 down sick there was not enough crew to handle the vessel, and 
 the Captain put into Wilmington, North Carolina, getting some 
 from the pilot boat to get the vessel in. As soon as he arrived 
 he summoned a doctor on board and they got me ashore that 
 night, put me in a comfortable room in a public house, and a 
 negro woman for a nurse. The doctor came again that evening. 
 I did not have my senses much of the time but the doctor giving 
 instructions to the nurse, I heard him sav to her "He won't live 
 till morning." Next morning he came and examined me, and 
 said, "You are better, I think you will get over it." My brother 
 William, younger than myself, was one of the crew. Days after 
 as I grew better, I enquired of the Captain where my brother 
 William was. He told me that he had got a sail loft and he was 
 there with the rest under the care of a doctor. I urged him to 
 get a room in the house where I was, and have my brother come up 
 
26 
 
 there. We remained there till we were convalescent, and re- 
 turned to the vessel, loaded for Boston, and arrived there and 
 discharged our cargo, then sailed for home in Freeport. 
 
 Perhaps I stayed at home a month or six weeks and then I 
 joined the same vessel and the same Captain and sailed for New 
 York. While loading there for Appalachicola, I was taken sick 
 again, and had the chills and fever badly, so that I had to leave 
 and come home to my father's. I was then not twenty-two years 
 old. I remained there most of the winter, suffering with the 
 chills and fever. In the spring I came to Portland. 
 
 Being a stranger here and quite young for a chief mate's sit- 
 uation, I found no chance in that capacity. I shipped before 
 the mast in the brig Edward, Captain Melcher, his brother being 
 mate. We went to a number of ports in the Windward Islands 
 but did not find a market to suit him, so he went to Saint Jago. 
 There he sold the cargo and took a freight for New York, it be- 
 ing a cargo of molasses. The mate being sick the Captain said 
 to me, "Can you stow this cargo ?" "Yes, sir, if you will go down 
 and show me how to commence, and come down occasionally and 
 see how I am getting along and give me all the instructions you 
 think I need, I can do it." 
 
 This cargo was stowed in that way and all delivered in good 
 order, no casks out, although I had never seen a cask of molasses 
 stowed. We came to New York and discharged on the quaran- 
 tine ground. One morning after the vessel was discharged, the 
 cook came forward and told me the Captain wanted me. I went 
 into the cabin and he said : — "Sit down here and take breakfast 
 with me. I am going to make a mate of you." I told him I 
 couldn't accept the situation. "There are those men forward," 
 I said, "They won't feel right about it if I leave them and come 
 aft." "0," he said, "I'll fix that." So he told the cook to go 
 and tell them all to come aft. They came and he said to them :— 
 "I am going to take Ben for mate, and he will be Mr. Webster 
 in the future. Now which had you rather, that he should be 
 mate of this vessel in which you are going, or that I should go 
 and get a stranger ?" It was their unanimous wish that I should 
 be the mate. They went forward to their breakfast, and I to the 
 cabin and took mine with the Captain. 
 
 We made one voyage and returned to Portland. Everything 
 was pleasant between the Captain and me. The first day after 
 "we came in the Captain said to me : — "My brother has always 
 been with me since I have had this vessel and he has got over his 
 sickness and wants the situation again ; but I'll get you a situa- 
 tion in few days." So I picked up, and started for Freeport to 
 
27 
 
 make a visit. 1 had been at home three days when I received a 
 letter from Captain Melcher to come to Portland at once for he 
 had a situation for me. I lost no time in complying with his re- 
 quest. On my arrival here he introduced me to Captain Newton, 
 brig Rodney, and he asked me many questions, he being a man 
 about forty years old and well posted in everything relating to 
 master and mate's duty. After he had put all the questions to 
 me that he thought necessary, and it appeared that they were 
 answered satisfactory to him, then I asked what my wages would 
 be. His reply was, "I shall have to go round to see Captain 
 Clapp the owner of the vessel ; he will arrange that." We went to 
 his counting-room and Captain Newton said, ^^This is the young 
 man we sent to Freeport for. I think I should like to have him 
 but he wants to know what the wages are to be." Captain 
 Clapp's reply was, "Twenty-five dollars." "But I want thirty, 
 sir," I replied. "Well, you can't have it here," he returned. He 
 was a rough old fellow and would swear at every word. I was 
 glad to get the situation and agreed to join the vessel the next 
 afternoon at four o'clock. 1 went to Freeport and got my things 
 and was there before the time appointed. Captain Newton was 
 on board the vessel, said to me, after I had got all my things 
 aboard : "Now if you want to go up and get any things, you bet- 
 ter go now, and then come back and select your lines, for the 
 vessel will have to be put into the stream at eleven o'clock to- 
 night." 
 
 As I was going up the wharf, I heard some one hollering, "You^ 
 Mr. Mate !" I looked back and u.p, and there was Captain 
 Clapp's head out of the window. He said, "Where in hell are 
 you going to ?" "Going up to town, sir, and I'll be back at the 
 time I agreed to, — four o'clock." "Well, you see that you are !" 
 So I went up the wharf, and I suppose he took his head out of 
 the window for I didn't see him any more till the next morning. 
 That night at high water the vessel didn't float, and the next 
 morning Captain Clapp came down alongside and hollers out, — • 
 "You, Mr. Mate ? Is the Captain here ?" "No, sir." "Did he 
 stay here last night ?" "Yes, sir." "Where is he now ?" "I 
 suppose he is after his breakfast." "He's a damned long time 
 a'getting on it." 
 
 We lay tide-nipped for three days. In that time I began to 
 perceive what sort of a man the Captain was, and to find that he 
 was a "regular Tartar." We had not reached Cape Elizabeth 
 lights before I began to realize it. I saw him go at a sailor with 
 a piece of wood two feet long. Nothing particular occurred on 
 the passage and we arrived at Mayaguez, Porto Rico. Our 
 
28 
 
 cargo was lumber ; it had to be made into rafts and towed ashore. 
 We used to calculate to get ashore as soon as it was light enough 
 to see the marks on the boards. Then this lumber had to be 
 dragged up by our men some thirty feet ; each man as he dragged 
 up his board would sing out the mark on his board, I keeping 
 the account with a Spanish clerk. We generally arrived back 
 if we had good luck at about nine o'clock or ten o'clock A. M. 
 and all this time, — perhaps since three o'clock in the morning — 
 the men had no coffee and nothing to eat. One morning in par- 
 ticular there was a strong land breeze so that we were a long time 
 in getting the raft ashore and we didn't get through to return to 
 the vessel till after eleven o'clock A. M. As I returned to the 
 vessel with six men, I went up over the side, and the Captain 
 says to me — "Mr. Webster, you've been a damned long time this 
 morning getting that raft hauled up." I replied, — "There was 
 a very strong land breeze this morning and we were a long time 
 getting ashore." "0 I've been watching them with a glass this 
 morning. They have moved like a parcel of lazy crabs." By 
 that time the men were on deck. I said "Cook, give the men 
 their breakfast." "Yes," said the Captain, "and may God grant 
 that it chokes every damned one of them to death." 
 
 So we went on till the vessel was discharged; late breakfasts 
 and terribly poor living, then sailed from there in ballast to Wil- 
 mington, and arrived there safely. The men couldn't get theif 
 discharge, because they were shipped for a double voyage. We 
 loaded there again to return to Mayaguez. On going out the 
 vessel struck on the bar, and started leaking, so that one pump 
 was kept going about all the time, and when we got a strong wind 
 the Captain felt more crabbed than he did some other times, but 
 never pleasant. Then he would carry sail so hard that the ves- 
 sel would leak so badly that we couldn't keep the water out with 
 one pump, and she would get considerable water in her. After 
 a while he would say; "Turn all hands to at the pumps." No 
 difference was made whether night or day, both pumps would 
 be going for a long time, and perhaps after hours, the men work^ 
 ing at the pumps till they were pretty well tired out, — then the 
 Captain would order sail taken off the vessel. Then the vessel 
 would go easier and we could get the water out of the vessel and 
 one pump would keep her free. This is the way that a number 
 of nights were passed, — hard work, poor living, and not time 
 enough to sleep. We arrived in Mayaguez, went through the 
 same as the voyage before, — rafting lumber, getting it ashore, 
 and dragging it up. Then we loaded with a cargo of sugar for 
 New York. On the passage to New York there was trouble be- 
 
29 
 
 tween the Captain and me; I stood his abusive language for a 
 long time, then I told him '^the hard work I had done and now 
 I am receiving nothing but abuse from you." His reply was, 
 '''Well there's one thing more you shall receive from me ; you are 
 no longer mate of this vessel. I knock you off duty from this 
 miinute." 
 
 That ended our conversation for about twenty-four hours. 
 Then the next day being a very pleasant day he says to me; — 
 "Mr. Webster, don't you intend to do any more duty aboard this 
 vessel ?" "That depends altogether with you, sir. You knocked 
 me off duty and you can turn me to when you want me." "I 
 want you to commence your duty again as mate." My reply 
 was, "I am very glad to do it, sir." So I took charge of the men 
 and the work again. Things went along about as usual and we 
 arrived at Xew York and discharged our cargo and commenced 
 loading for Mayaguez. The voyage being up the men promptly 
 left. 
 
 One rainy day, no work going on, the Captain came on board in 
 the forenoon, — he boarded ashore and only came aboard occas- 
 ionally, — and said to me, "Mr. Webster, as there's no work going 
 on to-day, you better make out a list of all the ship chandleries 
 that it is necessary to have." I said, "Do you calculate for me 
 to go in this vessel another voyage?" "Certainly I do." Then 
 you must raise my wages $5 a month." "Yes, I calculated to do 
 it, and sliould have told you of it when j^ou came to ship for the 
 voyage." 
 
 We 5r>ailed with a whole new crew, — I think not more than half 
 of them could speak English — and a cook who was drunk when we 
 left. Aiter he got over his drunken spree he was sick. The 
 Captain used to beat him and flog him shamefully. One day 
 in the atternoon I went by the galley door and there was the 
 cook lying on the floor. I spoke to him. His reply was, "0 Mr. 
 Webster, that man will kill me, you must intercede for me !" I 
 went into the cabin. The Captain was in his berth asleep. I 
 spoke to him, and he waked up and said, "What's wanted ?" My 
 reply was, "I am satisfied that the cook is sick and he ought to 
 have some medicine." He flew out of his berth like a wildcat 
 "Damn him, I'll give him medicine, you go and fetch him aft.". 
 I went and got him up out of the galley, and told him that he 
 must go aft. By that time the captain was on deck with a big 
 piece of rope in his hand. These doings attracted the attention 
 of all the men. The Captain says, "Seize him up to them back 
 stays." As I didn't move immediately, he said, "Ain't you going 
 to obey my orders ?" "Xo, sir, not in this case. I will obey your 
 
80 
 
 orders in all reasonable requests, but I will not seize that man up, 
 neither shall it be done/^ 
 
 He turned and went into the cabin. Probably I didn't see him 
 again till supper. We partook of our meal which was hard bread 
 and dry salt beef. This affair was never alluded to by him or me. 
 I received my orders as usual. Things went on without incident 
 and we arrived at Mayaguez. We discharged the cargo and loaded 
 for Portland. Nothing of note transpired on the passage, ex- 
 cept one man was kicked by the Captain till he fell overboard. 
 The vessel being in the stays was lying about dead in the water 
 not going ahead any. When the man fell the Captain was very 
 much frightened to see what he had done and cried out "Save thi& 
 man. Save him for my sake.'^ 
 
 We arrived in Portland late in the evening. The Captain went 
 on shore, leaving instructions for me to warp the vessel up the 
 harbor, which I commenced doing at daylight in the morning; 
 and when I had got her up aiid come to anchor I received a note 
 from him "Unbend all sails ; unweave the running rigging ; tally 
 it all and stow it away ; then let the men come ashore and you can 
 come with them.'' In the meantime a ship-keeper had come on 
 board. 
 
 I had made arrangements with the Captain to go with him 
 again ; but this vessel was to be laid up for some time and I took a 
 chance to go on a schooner to Alexandria instead of being idle 
 so long. When I returned the vessel had gone. Then I went on 
 board of a large Boston topsail schooner, and the Captain and I 
 took this vessel on shares, I to share equally with him. We made 
 a voyage to Matanzas and back and then a voyage to Mayaguez. 
 When we arrived there we found the brig Rodney, Captain ISTew- 
 ton, that I had made three voyages with. He came on board this 
 vessel that I was mate of a number of evenings, and in fact he 
 was more sociable with me than he had ever been while I was 
 his mate. It seemed as though he liked to come and have a so- 
 ciable talk with me. I remember one evening he told me that he 
 didn't get on shore as early as usual in the morning, as one of his 
 sailors had died in the night and he had to carry him on shore to 
 bury him. He -said the man hadn't been well for a few days and 
 the day before he gave him a dose of salts, and he died the next 
 night. This showed that he had no feeling for a sick man or a 
 sailor. He returned to Portland, and sailed again for Porto Rico 
 or Mayaguez and was washed overboard and lost on the passage. 
 So ended his life. I don't think he had a relative in this country 
 and I don't know as there was any one to mourn his loss. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 STARTING AS CAPTAIN. 
 
 We returned to Boston in our schooner, discharged the cargo, 
 and the Captain was going home to see his family. Before he 
 went he told me that Mr, Jackson, the owner of the vessel, was 
 coming down to see me that afternoon. He did come and said to 
 me: — "I am offered two freights for this vessel, and I want to 
 know which one you would prefer." I was very much surprised 
 that he should ask me, — the mate this question. Then he said 
 "I intended for you to go Captain." This surprised me more. 
 My reply was, — "I cannot take charge of this vessel, unless Cap- 
 tain Chandler chooses to leave her." He said "He is not going in 
 her again." "Well, I can't take her if he wants to go in her. If 
 he does not I should like to have her." He said "I will write 
 down to him and get a letter and show it to you ; but in the mean- 
 time I want this vessel to be loading, and you can tell me, in case 
 you should go master, which freight you prefer." I told him the 
 one for Beaufort. So I went on loading the vessel with a cargo 
 of ice, and when done I put her into the stream and went to the 
 owner's office and told him his vessel was loaded and in the stream. 
 He said, "Have you got your mate?" I replied, "I have not, 
 nor done anything about her crew, or stores or provisions." He 
 handed i^e a letter saying, "Here's a letter from Captain Chan- 
 dler." It stated "I shall not come on to go in Isaac Jackson and 
 I don't think vou can do better than take Webster for a master." 
 
 Then I got the mate, crew and provisions on board as quick 
 as possible and sailed on my first voyage as master. I was pro- 
 bably about twenty-four years of age. 
 
 We arrived in Beaufort after a pleasant passage, discharged 
 our ice, and sailed for Wilmington. We arrived there and loaded 
 with boards for Charleston. The crew deserted in Beaufort, and 
 we could not obtain men there; so we sailed with no one on 
 board but myself, mate and cook. As the weather was pleasant 
 we made the passage without accident. We arrived in Charleston, 
 and when a large part of the cargo was discharged, a certain 
 Captain Talbot of Freeport, a friend of my father's and mine 
 came down on board. He, thinking of me as a mere boy, said: 
 "Ben, what are you going to after you get your boards out?" 
 "I am going back to Wilmington and get another load if I can.'' 
 
32 
 
 "Well, go put on your coat and go up with me, and I'll introduce 
 you to a man that has some salt to sell/' 
 
 So I went up with him to the gentleman's office, and my friend 
 said: "Mr. Cohen, this is Captain Webster, the master of the 
 schooner Isaac Jackson. Captain Webster, this is J. C. Cohen, 
 a ship-broker, the damnedest liar in Charleston, South Carolina. 
 It takes a big liar to make a sharp ship-broker. Mr. Cohen, 
 haven't you got some salt that you can give him for Wilming- 
 ton?" "Yes, I can give him 700 sacks." As this conversation 
 began to be interesting to me, I said "How much a sack?" He 
 replied, "Twenty-five cents." I answered, "I'll take it." "But," 
 he said, "you must be alongside a certain ship at a certain wharf 
 at eight o'clock to-morrow morning." I replied that I would have 
 the vessel there, and then Captain Talbot said to me, — "Are you 
 sure you can get the boards out to-day ?" "If I don't get them out 
 to-day, I'll get them out to-night; I'll have the vessel there." 
 Then Captain Talbot turned to Mr. Cohen, — "Look here, that 
 isn't the salt you have been offering to me is it ?"• 
 
 "0 no, the lot I have for you is 900." 
 
 So I returned to my vessel, and by working part of the night, 
 I had her alongside the ship at the time appointed, and they be- 
 gan putting the salt in. Along in the forenoon, I happened to 
 look up, and Captain Talbot was leaning over the ship's rail 
 looking down on to my vessel, smiling as though he was very 
 much pleased. I said, "What pleases you so much this morning, 
 sir?" 
 
 "I am a-thinking about my carrying you up and introducing 
 you to that Cohen ; and he has given you the very freight that he 
 has been offering me." 
 
 "Why no, because he said the lot for you was 900." 
 
 "Yes, but he's such a liar you can't tell anything about him. 
 Now I've got to buy ballast. 
 
 "0 no" I replied, "this lot is enough for ballast for both of us. 
 I'll stop right where I am, and you take the balance." 
 
 "I knew you would and I have been to the shipper and he re- 
 fused to make out two bills of lading." 
 
 After I got the salt in, I sailed and arrived at Wilmington 
 safely, discharged my salt and loaded with large hewn timber 
 for New York. The first night out, I got into the September gale 
 that prevails on the Southern coast at that time of the year, 
 often called hurricanes. We had to carry a heavy press of canvas 
 to keep her off the land. Having a heavy deck load on, it opened 
 her water ways, and started her leaking in her top very badly. 
 I was aware that she was filling fast and if I didn't get clear of 
 
33 
 
 the deck-load she would fill and roll over, and that would end my 
 life and short career as master. This timber was some of it 
 fifteen inches square, and some of it forty and fifty feet long; 
 there was no way to get clear of it without cutting away the rig- 
 ging. I knew that would not do without cutting some of- the 
 mast first ; so I cut the rigging and the foremast w^ent taking the 
 head of the mainmast. Then the deck load all above the rail 
 went. In a very short time, this vessel was surrounded with 
 these large sticks of timber ; and I on the top of one of the sticks. 
 I went off with the deck load. Of course while I was on this stick 
 of timber my thoughts ran quickly. I had been taken off with 
 the deck-load from my vessel half full of water, and had exchanged 
 mv vessel for a stick of timber that could hold no Avater, 
 but I had this advantage at least, I couldn't be water logged. I 
 had neither water nor provisions, compass nor canvas to navigate 
 or propell this new craft that I had joined so much against my 
 will. I often now look back on this as one of the most narrow 
 escapes of my life. This stick of timber that I was on, had 
 worked round so that one end pointed nearly towards the vessel. 
 A heavy sea took it and landed it crosswise over the vessel. They 
 grabbed hold of me and saved me. The only accident I suffered 
 was having one foot badly jammed. 
 
 The next day the weather became moderate and the sea 
 smoothed down. We pumped the water out, got the jibboom in and 
 rigged it up for a jury foremast, used the awning for a sail, and 
 as the mainsail was saved, we used that on the mainmast. With 
 this sail we arrived in Charleston without tug-boat or assistance. 
 There were no telegraphs in those days, so the only way for me 
 to notify^ my owner in Boston was by letter which I did at once. 
 At that time the mail was carried much of the way by stage 
 there being few railroads, so it took about a month before I re- 
 ceived instructions from my owner in Boston. These were to 
 lay the vessel up in some safe place and come to Boston. By 
 the time this was done, I was taken sick with the fever that pre- 
 vails in Southern climates in September and October. I was 
 stopping at a hotel at the time, and they sent for the doctor. At 
 his first visit he said that I must have a nurse. A colored woman 
 was obtained, and I expect that between the doctor and the nurse 
 I had good attendance. 
 
 After a number of days, how many I don't know, the doctor 
 had ended his last visit, and I had become convalescent so as to 
 walk out. I engaged my passage to Boston on board of a sailing 
 vessel. There were no steamshi'p lines on the Atlantic in those days. 
 I sent this negro nurse to the doctor asking him for his bill as I 
 
34 
 
 was going home. He told her to say that he would come down 
 to see me. That evening he came and inquired when and how 
 I was going. He told me some things that he wanted me to take 
 with me. Among the rest was some bottles of wine. He said. 
 "I think you can go well enough, and you will improve and gain 
 strength faster after you get out on the ocean." I said, "I sent 
 the girl up after your bill, doctor." He replied, "I wanted to see 
 you. You are a young man, and you've had hard luck; thrown 
 out of business, and now sick. I have done all I could for you ; 
 I have not any bill against you." 
 
 I have always regretted that I did not have that man's address., 
 so that when I got into different circumstances I could have 
 written him. 
 
 I arrived in Boston and called on my owner. He seemed glad 
 to see me. Having my accounts all made out, I handed them to 
 him. It showed that I had made him two remittances, one from 
 Beaufort, and one from Charleston, and there was yet quite a 
 balance due him. All the money I had was in $5 pieces in a lit- 
 tle bag, and I emptied it on the table, counted out the part due 
 him, handed it over, and there were but few $5 pieces left for 
 me. He looked at it and saw that it balanced the account and 
 seemed to well pleased. 
 
 I said, "Mr. Jackson, the voyage is ended and I want to tell 
 you how my year's work is ended. When Captain Chandler took 
 this vessel a year ago on shares, I agreed to go with him and share 
 equally with him, and I bought up $170 to pay one half of the 
 outfits. When he left her, you are aware that I had her on shares. 
 When I Joined her, I was well and strong, now I am out of busi- 
 ness altogether, going home sick. Of course it will take me some 
 time to recover my strength and be as I was a year ago. With 
 this little pile of money left. Understand me, sir, a year ago 
 well and strong, with $170 in the business, now sick, out of busi- 
 ness and my $170 reduced to about $30.'' 
 
 I well remember his looks as he regarded me across the table 
 and when I was through he said, "Is it so ?" "Yes, it is as I have 
 stated." 
 
 He began pushing the $5 pieces across the table from him to 
 nie. I don't remember how many, but I do think that we were 
 botli pleased. Then he said, "Now you are going home. I have 
 got the ship Frances Ann here. I am going to send her to 
 Charleston. I am going to have the sails made here, the rig- 
 ging and everything put on board to rig up the schooner, and I 
 want you to go out in the ship and rig her up, and try her again. 
 I feel as though I was acquainted with you, for when you came up 
 
35 
 
 to join this vessel as mate. Captain Soule, master of the ship 
 Frances Ann, told me of you, and I had as lief then that you 
 would have had the schooner as Captain Chandler." Captain 
 Soule knew me well, as I had been mate of a vessel that he owned 
 a third of, and of which his brother was master between one and 
 two years. 
 
 When I left this gentleman's office, I felt altogether a differ- 
 ent man from what I did when I entered it, all owing to the way 
 he received me, the way he treated me, and the way we separated. 
 I went home to my father's in Freeport, had been there about 
 twenty days, received a letter from Mr. Jackson that he had sold 
 the schooner. So ends my acquaintance with this kind-hearted 
 gentleman. 
 
 About this time, Mr. Samuel Bacon of North Yarmouth, came 
 for me to take command of the schooner Julian that he owned. 
 This vessel was built up to Walnut Hill, eighty-three tons, and 
 and hauled from there to Yarmouth Falls about four miles. She 
 was loaded with potatoes in barrels. Arrived in New Orleans. 
 I sold the potatoes, and the barrels to put molasses in. Then I 
 loaded with pork, lard, and corn in sacks for Newburyport : dis- 
 charged, collected my freight, and brought the vessel to Yar- 
 mouth. Then the owner wanted me to go coasting in her 
 through the summer. I declined to do this, as I was not ac- 
 quainted with the business. He replied, "I am going to load hei- 
 with wood, bark, and fish barrels for Provincetown, Capt Cod 
 and I am going myself, and you will have nothing to do with sel- 
 ling the cargo ; I shall attend to that." I replied that under those 
 circumstances I would go. 
 
 We \\^nt to Provincetown, sold a part of the cargo, went to 
 Boston and sold more, and to Gloucester, Cape Ann, and sold the 
 balance, and returned to Yarmouth. I felt as though I was quite 
 a coasting Captain. So I went on making trips to different 
 parts, not waiting for fair winds nor for fog to clear. I have 
 come into Portland without seeing a thing until 1 was in the har- 
 bor. This was considered quite an event in those days. I re- 
 turned from one of my trips, and the owner, Mr. Bacon, came on 
 board as soon as I got to the wharf. He said, "Mr. Baker is go- 
 ing to load the vessel with bricks and hay for Boston.'* I replied 
 "Then he must consign it to some one for sale, for I know no- 
 body there, and am not a fit person to sell it." 
 
 He went away, and soon returned, saying, "Mr. Baker will do 
 as you wish.'' So we loaded with bricks in the hold and a high 
 deckload of hay, and I arrived in Boston ; and ran into the dock 
 as there was not water enough to get to the wharf. There was 
 
36 
 
 a mud machine there digging out the docks, that went by horse 
 power. My vessel grounded near the mud-digger, it being low 
 water. The man in charge of the work of the mud-digger asked 
 me if the hay was for sale and how many bales I had. He came 
 and looked it over, asked the price, and agreed to take it at the 
 price that I told him. So we rolled it off on board the digger 
 while the tide was flowing so we could get to the wharf. This 
 was the time at which the brick stores on Lewis' wharf were being 
 built. I enquired of some of the laborers for the foreman, and 
 asked if they wanted to buy bricks. "Yes,'' was the answer, "but 
 I am not the purchaser." He gave me the purchaser's name, 
 street, and number. I was in his office in a short time, and 
 found him in. He came down with me and looked at the bricks, 
 and we made a trade then at a much higher price than Mr. Baker 
 expected I'd get, and before 12 o'clock at noon we were discharg- 
 ing the bricks. As soon as they were out I received my money 
 for bricks and hay, and said to the man that bought the bricks, — 
 "Will you take another cargo at the same price, if I come right 
 back ?" He agreed to do it. I made all speed for Yarmouth. I 
 knew that Mr. Baker had bought a small schooner. When I was 
 returning, I passed Cape Elizabeth with a strong west wind, I 
 fell in with that schooner going out. As soon as I got to the 
 wharf in Yarmouth I went to see Mr. Baker, handed him my 
 accounts of the sale of the hay and the bricks, and the money. 
 He was well pleased. I said, "Do you want to sell another load 
 of bricks at the same rate ?" "Yes." "Well, I have sold them 
 if you load her up quick." He was so well pleased with this sale 
 that he said, "How much do they generally have for selling car- 
 goes as you have done this?" I replied, "two and one half per 
 cent on the gross sales." 
 
 He counted me out the money at once. This paid me well for 
 the trip as I was only having $25 per month. Then he said, 
 "Now I shall pay you two and one half per cent on this next 
 cargo ; and I have loaded my little schooner with so many thous- 
 and of bricks, and she went away so many days ago." I replied, 
 "Yes, I saw her off Cape Elizabeth to-day. He said, "If you get 
 to Boston before she does and sell her cargo, I will give you two 
 and one half per cent on her cargo also." 
 
 The day I saw the schooner off' Cape Elizabeth when she- got 
 out into the strong southwest winds and heavy sea, it was too 
 rough for her and she returned to Portland for harbor. I 
 loaded up in all haste, and when I was a little past Cape Eliza- 
 beth with a strong head wind, I fell in with this same little 
 schooner going back to Portland the second time for harbor. 
 
37 
 
 The thought came to me then, "I'll have a commission on her 
 cargo/' 
 
 There was no rest for the Julian in the head winds or fair till 
 she arrived at Lewis' wharf in Boston. I lost no time until I 
 had seen the purchaser of the bricks. He seemed much pleased 
 that I had returned a number of days before he expected me. I 
 said to him, "The owner of these bricks has another cargo on 
 board a small schooner. Will you take them at the same price ?" 
 He agreed to do it. 
 
 About the time I was discharged and ready to leave, this little 
 schooner arrived. I took the Captain up and introduced him to 
 the purchaser of his cargo. I don't suppose he ever knew that I 
 had a commission of two and one half per cent on the gross sales 
 of his cargo. 
 
 I continued through the season at different places, sometimes 
 with a full crew. At one time the vessel was all loaded, the 
 water high and a fair wind. I had only a boy for a cook, and 
 a young man that was going passenger with me. I couldn't af- 
 ford to lose the fair wind, so I got some men to help hoist the 
 sails, and one man to go out the river with me, putting him ashore 
 at the Foreside, then I left for Boston with these two boys. I ar- 
 rived safely and returned home in the same way. There were 
 no steamboats or railroads then, so I often had quite a number 
 of passengers. At one time I had three women passengers, two 
 of them school-teachers. The little after cabin we had, had two 
 berths in it, so one of these women had to lie on a seat or tran- 
 som. We were up past Wood Island, with a strong head wind 
 and a bad sea, and it was necessary to back ship. I thinking 
 more of l:he vessel than of the women passengers, when the vessel 
 came roiind on the other tack and listed round, this woman on 
 the transom rolled on to the floor, and I should judge they were 
 terribly frightened by the screeching. I went down as quickly 
 as possible, found them very much frightened, for they did not 
 know what to make of it. In this tacking ship, with a 
 strong wind, and the vessel listing down, when she comes round 
 she lists down the other way. These women were so frightened 
 and very sea-sick, with a strong head wind and a bad sea, I kept 
 away for Portland, and landed the women there ; went with them 
 to the stage tavern, and they took the mail stage for Boston. 
 Nothing more worthy of note for this trip. 
 
 On another trip I discharged in Gloucester, Cape Ann. Two 
 men left there, leaving me alone with the boy cook, and a good 
 fair wind to leave. I got some men to help hoist the sails, and 
 I left with no one but myself and boy. That night there was a 
 
38 
 
 strong southwest wind, right aft, and I winged her out, the main- 
 sail one side, and the foresail on the other. Along late in the 
 night, I called the boy to relieve me from the helm a few minutes, 
 thinking that he could do it, and I cautioned him to be very care- 
 ful. Notwithstanding all his knowledge of steering and my ad- 
 vice he jibed over the mainsail. This came over all at once with 
 such force, that it was almost enough to take the vessel's stern 
 off. It did unship the main boom, and the end that has the Jaws 
 on it came down on the deck, slid forward of the mast some eight 
 or ten feet. This was a peculiar situation for one man and a 
 boy to be in. Now we had both sails on one side, put the helm 
 hard down, and she came up with the wind, sails shaking. We 
 hauled the foresheet aft, lowered the mainsail down and com- 
 menced getting the main boom back in its place — slow work for us 
 two — but we got a deck-tackle , hauled it aft, far enough to ship 
 again, hooked the halyards on to it we had to hoist the mainsail 
 with, hoisted it up and it was shipped all right. Then as the 
 vessel was lying too near head to the wind we hoisted the main- 
 sail again, which was hard and slow work for us. We put the 
 helm up, eased off the sheets, and headed her for Yarmouth. We 
 arrived there after a good passage of sixteen hours. 
 
 I continued in this vessel till the latter part of October ; she be- 
 ing small and -old, I did not wish to spend another winter in her, 
 so I joined the new brig Persia, with Captain Joseph Chandler, 
 I going as mate at $30 per month. I felt first rate; for I was 
 having $5 more than the common rate of wages. I had been 
 with this man one year in a schooner as his mate about a year be- 
 fore. He was a very nice honest man, and I think, a Christian 
 man. But he was a man who liked to have a great deal of work 
 done. He chartered his vessel to load with cotton in Mobile. He 
 said to me, "Mr. Webster, can you stow this vessel with cotton ?'' 
 I replied to him "Yes," as I had had experience with loading 
 cotton before I was 21 years old. So we went on stowing the 
 cotton till we had some three or four hoists all over her, then there 
 were two hoists left on the edge which we used to roll in, whicli 
 was called rolling in two bales at once with the screws. It was 
 slow work, we didn't get along as fast as the Captain wanted to, so 
 he hired another gang from the shore, and they commenced in the 
 other end of the vessel. That gang cost him $21 per day. The 
 gang I had cost him $3 per day, and we put away more bales of 
 cotton than they did. The Captain couldn't stand this, and he 
 discharged the gang the second day. He used to be down in 
 the hold a great deal, which used to make me feel very unpleas- 
 ant. He was thinking that we not putting away as many bales 
 
39 
 
 in a day as he wanted, but I knew that we were. He was not a 
 judge for he had never been in that trade, and had probably 
 never seen a bale of cotton stowed before. 
 
 One day he was down there walking round, and I had two 
 bales that bothered me a great deal, had two pairs of screws to 
 them ; the screws slipped and they came down. He walked along 
 to me, and said, "Mr. Webster, it is no use for you to spend the 
 time that way." I was angry at the screws slipping and the 
 two bales coming down, and the Captain coming along and speak- 
 ing the way he did, made me more so. My reply was ; "I picked 
 out those two bales to go there, and I am going to put them there.'' 
 He left without another word. The two bales were put in place, 
 and I have no doubt but that the work went along much better 
 and more satisfactorily to me when the Captain was not there. 
 I think he came down very little, if any, after that. After 
 we had her all filled, and the hatches on, we cleared away 
 a big pile of lumber that was on deck amidships, in preparing to 
 take on a deckload of cotton. When this lumber and dunnage 
 was all moved, we could see the deck was rounded up a good 
 deal. The Captain said to me "Mr. Webster, you have spoiled 
 my vessel." I replied, "You asked me if I could stow this vessel 
 with cotton, and if you saw that I was screwing too hard, why 
 didn't you tell me?" I suppose that he felt bad, and I mad. 
 That ended it, there was nothing more said about it. We arrived 
 in Boston, discharged the cotton, and as I felt that I hadn't given 
 him satisfaction, I said, "Xow the vessel is discharged, and I 
 think you better discharge me." He says, "What are you go- 
 ing to do?'' "I don't know. I shall be in hopes to get some- 
 where where I can give satisfaction." 
 
 He turned and went ashore. After he was gone, his wife, 
 a very nice lady who had been on the voyage with us, sent for me. 
 She said, "I am going home. I don't want you to leave this ves- 
 sel. I shall feel differently to know that you are here, than I 
 should if he had a stranger." "But I don't think that your hus- 
 band wants me." "Yes, he does." "Well then he'll ask me." 
 
 When he returned we had our dinner, he said, "I would like to 
 have you remain in the vessel." There was considerable more 
 conversation about it, but I concluded to stay. We loaded with 
 ice for Jamaica, then to Trinidad, Cuba, then box sugar for Bre- 
 men, discharged our sugar, and came to Sydney, Cape Breton. 
 Then we took a cargo of coal for Boston. The vessel was going 
 up North River to discharge, and the Captain was going home. 
 When he got all ready to go, after giving me all the instructions 
 he considered necessary in his absence, he said to me : — "If vou 
 
40 
 
 can have a new vessel built to come off next f all^ a year from now, 
 how much of her will you take, and how large do you want her 
 to be?'' I replied: "I'll put $1000 into the vessel, and let it 
 go as far as it will, for her to be from 150 to 200 tons." 
 
 When he returned the cargo was discharged and the vessel all 
 cleaned up. On her passage from Sydney to Xew York the ves- 
 sel was deep loaded with coal, in the month of November, there 
 was no chance to do much of any Avork on the vessel, and I gave 
 the men watch and watch. But I soon saw that this didn't please 
 the Captain, although he didn't say anything to me against it. 
 But I knew that he was so much displeased that I said to Mr. 
 Corbit, the second mate, "If I go another voyage in this vessel, 
 there'll be no more watch and watch unless the Captain tells me." 
 We went round from N'ew York to Philadelphia to load for Eio. 
 
 It got to be along in December before we left, so cold that we 
 nailed boards on the bow of the vessel to keep the ice from cut- 
 ting the plank. The Captain's wife had come on to make the 
 voyage with us. The second day out, when it was blowing heavy, 
 a side wind, under double reefed topsails, and the spray falling 
 over the vessel, most all parts of her, at 1 o'clock P. M., I said 
 to Mr. Corbit, "Turn the men to." "What am I to set them 
 about?" "Picking oakum." 
 
 As the wind was blowing, the vessel rolling, and the spray 
 flying there was no chance to do anything else. One man took 
 his bunch of rope-yarn and went on to the poop-deck right in 
 front of the cabin. The captain looking out of the cabin win- 
 dows and seeing him, called for me : — "Mr. Webster, is there 
 nowheres else for this man, except right here before the cabin 
 windows?" "Yes, -sir, but they'll be drenched in salt water." 
 I said to the man, "Pick up your rope-yarns and go off for- 
 ward." It was done without a word of complaint from him. 
 The Captain returned to the cabin. 
 
 Captain Chandler being a pious man, he had the men come 
 into the cabin every night to have prayers. This being the latter 
 part of December, dark early, one man was relieved from the 
 wheel to go and get his supper; the forecastle in those days was 
 down in the fore-peak of the vessel under the deck. As we went 
 into the cabin that night the Captain had his Bible, and we all 
 got seated: the Captain looked around and he said, "How is 
 this, Mr. Webster, that we can't have every man except the man 
 at the wheel?" 
 
 "The man at the wheel has just been relieved, and has gone 
 for his supper. But you can have him." He made no reply. 
 I left and went to the forecastle door and said, "Bill, come up 
 
41 
 
 here.'* The man came very quickly little thinking what I wanted. 
 
 "Come aft here," said I. He followed me to the after cabin 
 doors; as this vessel had a trunkcabin we had to go down some 
 four steps to get into the passage way or entry. As I stepped on 
 the upper step I said to the man, "Come down here." 
 
 By this time I suppose he began to mistrust what was wanted. 
 I stepped back and took him by the collar. I think no word was 
 said; — he came down the steps and into the cabin. I let go of 
 him, and said,"sit down in that chair.'' He did so. I turned 
 to the Captain, "Captain Chandler, there's your man." He shut 
 the Bible that he had in his hand, went to his room and closed the 
 door. Probably the voyage lasted five months longer, but the 
 men never went to the cabin for prayers. And if the Captain 
 had his prayers, as I have no doubt he had, they were only to 
 God and himself. 
 
 There was nothing remarkable the remainder of this voyage. 
 We returned to Philadelphia with a cargo of coffee. While dis- 
 charging I was on the wharf taking account of the bags of coffee, 
 and getting receipts signed for each car-load, the Captain came 
 down from up town, another gentleman with him, and handed 
 me a letter. They then went on board the vessel. As soon as I 
 had a minute to spare, I opened the letter, and saw it was from 
 my mother, and brought me news of the death of three of my 
 sisters. One was a married woman less than thirty; another a 
 girl about seventeen; the other I think about eleven, all loving 
 sisters. I had no time then to read the letter through, but read 
 enough to get the sad news that it contained. As soon as I could 
 I went into the cabin, handed the letter to the Captain's wife, 
 then retu'rned to my business of delivering coffee. Soon this 
 gentleman who was in the cabin with the Captain came on shore, 
 and came to me and said, "You have hard news." 
 
 When we stopped work to get dinner, I took my seat at the ta- 
 ble as usual; the Captain asked a blessing, helped his wife and 
 then me. I got up and left without tasting any dinner. When 
 it was time to go to work, I was there to deliver the coffee, and 
 the Captain never offered to assist me or to put a man there to 
 assist me, and I believe that he never mentioned the death of my 
 sisters to me. A day or two after this a sheriff came down and 
 served a writ on me for correcting one of the sailors. I told him 
 he would have to wait until the Captain came ; for I couldn't leave 
 then. The Captain soon came, procured some one to sign my 
 bond, and the sheriff left. I told the Captain that I wanted to see 
 a good lawyer, so he took me up to the store where he traded, and 
 they recommended a lawyer that tended to their business, stating 
 
42 
 
 that he was probably as good as amy one in Philadelphia. "But," 
 they said, "it will cost you $10 to consult with him, but you can 
 rely on what he says." So the Captain went up with me, and I 
 told him my story as it was. After he heard me all through he said, 
 "Now you better compromise this case if you can for $50, $75, or 
 $100. I can't do anything for 3^ou. You can go to other lawyers 
 and they'll tell you that it is a plain case and they can gain it, and 
 they'll want a retaining fee of $20 or $30. But I tell you they'll 
 lose it. I can take your case, I shall want a retaining fee of $30, 
 and I will carry it as far as you want to. Soon I shall want some 
 more money, but at the end I shall lose it." 
 
 I replied that there was no use for me to pay away money that 
 way. He said, "Xo, go and make the best trade you can by com- 
 promising it." "Well, sir, what is your bill?" He looked at 
 me and said, "Mr. Mate, I see by your hands that you have to 
 work for a living ; I can't do anything for you and I won't charge 
 you anything." Then to Captain Chandler, "Do you think that 
 your mate was doing his duty when he corrected this man ? He 
 answered "He has sailed with me nearly two years and I have 
 never known him to abuse a man." "Then, sir, it is for you to 
 carry on this case, and not let him lose all his wages." 
 
 I don't think that the Captain replied to that. I think I com- 
 promised the case for about $75, taking more than two months 
 of niy services. The Captain never helped me a dollar in it, al- 
 though the lawyer told him that he was the man that should 
 support me in my duty. 
 
 Our next voyage wa^ for San Domingo. I remember one cir- 
 cumstance after we got out into warm weather. We were laying 
 becalmed. A large shark was about. We soon got the harpoon 
 into him and hauled him up, and I think got a bowline round his 
 tail. We were almost ready to haul him over the side, while the 
 Captain was standing near the side. He was requested to stand 
 aside, but he replied, "Haul him in, haul him in quick !'' As 
 the shark came over the side he grabbed the Captain just by the 
 hips, but he jerked away from him, and ran aft hollering "0 I'm 
 spoiled, I'm spoiled !" I immediately followed him into the 
 cabin, removed his clothes, and found one slight wound, and one 
 more serious. I took his clothes off, and put him into bed. The 
 slight wound I drew up nicely with sticking-plaster, but the other 
 he insisted must be sewed up. I tried ''to persuade him, all to no 
 purpose. It must be sewed up. I got the surgeon's needle from 
 the medicine-chest, probably having never been used before, took 
 a number of stitches in the wound and drew it together nicely. 
 The Captain was round on deck in a few days, but I have no 
 
43 
 
 doubt that he had two bad scares that he carried to the grave. 
 After the wounds were dressed he said, "I must have the jaws of 
 that shark to carry home to show my friends." They were cut 
 out, scraped and dried, and I suppose that he carried them home. 
 We continued and made this voyage with much hard work, 
 and very little that was pleasant. Arrived at Boston, discharged 
 vessel, and I left this vessel, and I left the Captain after almost 
 two years faithful service to him. I went home to take charge 
 of my new vessel that was nearly ready to launch. My only 
 l)rother was at home, a lad of about twenty-two and was going 
 mate with me in the new vessel. He was taken sick with the ty- 
 phoid fever which proved fatal with him. His remains lie in the 
 Webster Cemetery in the lot with his father and mother and sis- 
 ter. His death was a great loss to my parents, my sisters and 
 myself. His memory is fresh in my mind although it is over 
 fifty-seven years since his death. I have many things to remind 
 me of him. Perhaps the most constant reminder is a, little lad 
 of eleven years old that calls me grandfather. He bears his name 
 in full, — William Webster Hight. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 MY FIRST OWNING IN A VESSEL. 
 
 My new vessel was finished and I started for sea early in Octob- 
 er, 1844, I owning three-eights of her and a small part of that 
 paid for. I left Portland in her for Lnbec, being over $1900 
 in debt, which seemed a very big debt for me in those days. On 
 my arrival in Lubec I chartered her for Baltimore before it came 
 to anchor, then took a freight for Xew York. Then I chartered 
 for Xew Haven to take a cargo of cooperage, and deck load of 
 horses for St. Kitts, one of the Windward Islands of the Carrib- 
 bean sea. So I continued in this trade, many times going to 
 the most sickly ports in the summer, like Port-au-Prince, St. 
 Jago, and Havana. I never lost a man by sickness in any of 
 these West India Islands, nor had a man oif duty but a very 
 short time. I remember once in Port-au-Prince, I didn't have 
 a man sick at all ; an English vessel that lay near me lost nearly 
 all of her crew by fever. Some might ask, how this could be. I 
 took special pains to keep the men out of the sun in the middle 
 of the day and out of the rain, so they should not get wet, as it 
 would rain almost every afternoon. I well remember this voy- 
 age. I returned to Boston and didn't have a man sick off duty 
 one hour. 
 
 Inside of two years from the time I left Portland I had paid 
 up the debt of over $1900, bought me a chronometer for $253, 
 sent the girl who became my wife afterwards $300, writing her 
 that I was out of debt and I had this $300 left. I had no use 
 for it and she could use a part of it if she liked. She on receiv- 
 ing it, put it out to interest at six per cent. One of my voyages 
 in this vessel was down to Tabasco in the Bay of Mexico, in the 
 summer time. I arrived at the mouth of the river, Tabasco be- 
 ing some forty miles up, and was told that it was very sickly, 
 that the soldiers were dying so that they were digging trenches 
 to put them in without coffins or anything of the kind. There 
 were only two men at the mouth of the river where I stopped, 
 one was the U. S. Consul, he said, "You won't think of going 
 up to Tabasco, knowing how sickly it is ?" I replied, "My cargo 
 is for Tabasco, and I signed bills of lading to deliver it there, 
 dangers of the seas excepted." 
 
45 
 
 That afternoon I started with a strong fair wind, sailing up 
 till dark, when the wind died away, and I tied up to a tree, to 
 rest till morning. But there was not much rest for mosquitoes, 
 for they were in swarms like bees and almost as large as a small 
 bee. I, hearing of these pests before I left New York, bought 
 cotton cloth, and made mosquito bars for all hands, which served 
 to keep them out very well, and much of the air. But these ter- 
 rible creatures, their bills were so long and sharp — that if we 
 got a foot or hand touching the inside of the mosquito bar, we 
 were sure to feel their bites although there was the thickness of 
 the cotton cloth between them and us. In this river the current 
 was running down all the time and the river was narrow, and 
 the trees were very high so that we could feel but little wind 
 unless it was from aloft that came over the tops of the trees. 
 Sometimes we could set some lofty sails that would help us a 
 little, but the way we had to get up this river was mostly by 
 warping, that is to load a boat well up with small ropes, put way 
 up the river, make the rope end fast to a tree, come down with 
 the current to the vessel. Taking the other end aboard the ves- 
 sel, sometimes we could pull her along by hand, at other times 
 we would have to take the rope to a wind which is similar to a 
 small windlass and turned by cranks like grindstone cranks. In 
 this way we worked quite a number of days before we reached 
 Tabasco. 
 
 When we tied up for one night, it was near an English brig 
 that had left the mouth of the river for Tabasco eight days before 
 I arrived. I went on board of this vessel and found the Captain 
 and men terribly bitten by mosquitoes. I could do nothing for 
 him, only urge him to try and warp his vessel up. I discharged 
 my cargo at Tabasco, and going down the river, fell in with this 
 brig near where she was when I boarded her on my way up. This 
 was in the evening, as we had to tie up at night. One couldn't 
 think of navigating this river with its strong current in the dark. 
 I again boarded this vessel, and found the Captain with legs and 
 arms terribly swollen by mosquito bites. Some of his men were 
 as badlv off as he. Thev were not in situation to do much of 
 anything. I returned to the mouth of the river, and loaded 
 there with log-wood for New York. I had been down but a short 
 time, when my men began to be taken sick with the sickness that 
 they contracted in Tabasco or on the river. They were all down 
 sick but the second mate and cook. The chief mate died, and 
 there were only the second mate and cook to follow him to his 
 grave. Probably I was as sick as the others. What a sad situ- 
 ation this was, — five sick, and two well. Surely we couldn^t get 
 
46 
 
 much attendance; but we recovered so as to load our vessel and 
 leave for New York, without a mate and the second mate not a 
 navigator. We stopped on the bar on the way out, as there was 
 not water enough to float the vessel over without stopping. 
 
 It was necessary to carry out a small anchor with .a rope at- 
 tached to it to assist in getting the vessel over the bar. My men 
 were in such a weak state that it didn't appear that there were 
 three of them well enough to carry that anchor out, and I went in 
 the boat myself. Still I do think that I was no more fit for it 
 than the others, but the anxiety of mind to get my vessel out 
 probably prevented my thinking so much of my bodily weakness 
 as they did. That night we came over the bar all right. 
 
 We were in a poor situation to come on to the coast in the win- 
 ter; short handed, and with those that we had mostly better sub- 
 jects for the hospital than for doing duty on ship-board. One 
 poor fellow whose feet and legs had been terribly swollen, we used 
 to put at the wheel to steer, when we were taking in the sail. I 
 not only had to do the Captain's work but the mate's also, and . 
 assist in all common work like a sailor. I had to go aloft when 
 reefing and get immersed in salt water like the rest. All this 
 time, every other day, I had spells of shaking with the ague while 
 terrible fever affected my head at times almost to insanity. 
 This sickness of fever and ague, many do not understand. The 
 chills come on about at a certain hour, unless one is getting bet- 
 ter ; then they come on later. If one is growing sicker, the chills 
 and fever come on earlier. 
 
 The morning that we came out of the Gulf Stream, north of 
 Cape Hatteras, the wind had been blowing heavily through the 
 night and the vessel had much more canvas on her than I wished 
 she had. At daylight, I put the poor fellow with the swelled feet 
 at the wheel, and we began getting canvas off the vessel. In our 
 feeble state it took a good while. I went aloft with the others to 
 reef the topsail, and there was much other work. We were all 
 .completely soaked through with salt water, by the sprays and 
 seas coming so much aboard the vessel. About the time that 
 I could see that we were nearly through our morning's work, I 
 told the cook to get a fire in the galley, and get some boiling hot 
 water as quickly as possible for I knew that it was about time 
 for my ague fit to come on, although probably I didn't know 
 within an hour or so what time it was. 
 
 When the water boiled, the cook told me, and I told him to 
 take it into the cabin, mix some molasses and ginger with it, and 
 I went in with him, stripped off my thoroughly wet garments, put 
 on dry flannels, and dressed all dry throughout, then began sip- 
 
47 
 
 ping the hot ginger and water, thinking that it was time for my 
 ague fit to come on. I looked at my v/atch. It was about an 
 hour and a half past time. I didn't have any more chills and 
 fever, but was sick and weak for a long time. When we ar- 
 rived in Xew York, some of the men went to the hospital, while I 
 chartered my vessel the first day in, to go back to Tabasco, not 
 up the same river, but up a shorter one, only about fifteen miles 
 from the mouth. I got my vessel to the wharf and lay down to 
 rest as I did I think about every day I was in Xew York. 
 
 Captain Pratt the brother of the girl that became my wife 
 later, came on board to see me. He said, "Ben, have you char- 
 tered your vessel to go up the Gonaquil river?" I told him I 
 had. "I don't know what you are thinking of. It will be Gon- 
 a-quil with you this time." 
 
 I went on discharging my vessel and took in some cargo for 
 Tabasco. I was not sufficiently recovered from my sickness to 
 sit up all day, so I sent home for my sister's husband, knowing 
 him to be a capable, steady, and trusty man in every way. He 
 came on, and we sailed for Tabasco. Before we arrived, my 
 health had improved, and I was quite rugged. When I arrived 
 off Tabasco, I saw a wreck on shore, with masts out of her, stripped 
 of sails and rigging. I was told that she was the English 
 brig I boarded the voyage before in the river, whose Captain and 
 crew were so bitten with the mosquitoes. Every one of the crew 
 died, and a new Captain, officers and crew were obtained, but as 
 she went to sea, she went ashore on the bar, and thus ended the 
 whole crew and vessel. 
 
 I proceeded uj^ the Gonaquil river, loaded a full cargo of log- 
 wood. On my coming out, grounded on the bar for want of 
 water. Night came on, and the pilot not being willing to stay 
 on board in the night, left me and went ashore. Xext morning 
 at daylight, I was out of sight of land, far to sea, short of my 
 deck-load. Arrived safely in Xew York. This was the year 
 1844. 
 
 I continued voyaging in the West India l)usiness. In Septem- 
 ber, 1844, I left the island of Jamaica for Campeche, vessel in 
 ballast. ' The third day out, off the Isle of Percia, I encountered 
 a heavy hurricane. The vessel lay low on her side, lost all the 
 head sails in trying to get her before the wind ; all to no purpose. 
 She lay so low on her side that her rudder would not work. There 
 was but one thing left; to save the vessel and our own lives, 
 by cutting away the mainmast. I had had oyer twenty-four 
 hours' notice of this hurricane, to make everything ready, the 
 vessel laying to under a very small piece of canvas aft. She 
 
48 
 
 laid so ver}^ broad in the trough of the sea that I got a spare 
 3'ard, bent a hawser on the middle, caged anchor on to that, a rope 
 from each end of the spar up on to the hawser, so as to be sure 
 to keep the spar from turning end to us. I paid it out from the 
 weather bar about fifty to sixty fathoms thinking that this would 
 have a tendency to fetch the vessel's head more up to the wind 
 and sea. Still this did not have the effect that I hoped. Some 
 few hours after this the vessel was laying so very low that she 
 was altogether unsafe. It was now about 6 P. M. All this day 
 I had had the broad-ax in the companion-way ready to grasp 
 any instant. The vessel had got listed over so much that we 
 could get along on her side about as well as we could on her deck. 
 I grabbed my broad-ax, and made my way forward, hardly 
 knowing whether I was on the inside or the outside of the rail. 
 One clip with the ax chopped off the hawser; for I knew that 
 this vessel must be got before the wind to right her up to save 
 her and our lives, I hoisted up the foretopmast-staysail, that be- 
 ing a sail on the bowsprit, thinking that that served to get her be- 
 fore the wind; but before we got the sail up it was all gone, al- 
 though a good sail. We then commenced to hoist the jib. As soon 
 as the wind got into that, away went that. We then went aloft, 
 put a lashing around the fore yard, just outside the slings to 
 hold the canvas from blowing away, then took off all the gaskets 
 from the weather side of the foresail, thinking the* wind would 
 get into that part of the sail and force her ahead so the rudder 
 would act, and she would pay off before the wind. The wind 
 took this sail away the same as it had the other two, and there 
 seemed to be no more that we could do. We lost all the head- 
 sails, the rudder would not act, so the only thing left was to cut 
 away the mainmast. This I disliked very much to do, and 
 held on for an hour or more. 
 
 It grew dark; I knew, as the vessel lay so low, and the water 
 was running in, that when there was enough together with the 
 weight of the ballast she would go down. I got up on the main 
 boom and gaff, and hacked away at the mainmast with the 
 broad-ax. When I struck the second clip I couldn't see where the 
 first was. By feeling I got quite a place cut, then got down and 
 chopped off the lanyards of the main rigging on the weather 
 side. The mast went, but hung right under the lee quarter, for 
 the lee rigging had not been cut; in that situation it acted the 
 same as though it had been a wheel backing water, and the ves- 
 sel was before the wind in a very few minutes. We began to feel 
 as though our lives were lengthened out for a while longer. The 
 hurricane broke before 12 o'clock, midnight. 
 
49 
 
 In the morning it was quite moderate, pleasant and sea gone 
 down. Still the vessel was having a very great list on her. We 
 took off one hatch and went into the hold. We found her ballast 
 all shifted about on one side, although it was well secured with 
 shifting planks, platformed over and stanchioned down. One 
 can well judge how near this vessel came to going over on her 
 beam ends ; for the shifting boards and ballast had taken every 
 midship stanchion away between the fore and mainmast, and 
 our stanchions and shifting plank were brought up in the bilge 
 of the vessel. This was about a day's work to get the ballast back. 
 In the meantime we were making all the progress we could to- 
 wards Cape Antonia, the vessel being under charter to load in 
 Campeche for New York. I knew that a spar for a mainmast 
 could not be procured there; so shaped my course for Xew Or- 
 leans. We arrived there without any more accidents. Then we 
 rigged up with a new mainmast and did what other repairs were 
 necessary. As we had had in sand ballast I was afraid that it 
 had got down under the ceiling to the pump so that it might 
 choke the pump. So we had the ballast all cleared away and the 
 pump raised for a thorough examination. I was down in the 
 hold, my shirt sleeves shoved clear up to my armpits, feeling 
 down to see whether there was any sand, so as to be sure it was 
 all clear before putting the pump back. It was very warm and 
 I all of a sweat. Some one called from the deck, — 
 
 "Captain, here's a gentleman wants to see you." 
 
 I went on deck at once, and the gentleman looked to me, as I 
 thought, very much surprised. He said, "Are you Captain of 
 this vessel." I replied "I am." 
 
 I think he looked more surprised. He said, — 
 
 "Could you take a freight of flour for Campeche ?" 
 
 "I would if the rate of freight would suit me." 
 
 He handed me his card, saying, "Will you come over to my 
 office to-morrow morning at nine o'clock ?" 
 
 I answered that I would. 
 
 At nine o'clock the next morning I was at his office. He didn't 
 seem to know me. I said, 
 
 "I think you are the gentleman who was aboard my vessel, the 
 Levant, yesterday afternoon?" 
 
 "Yes, are you the Captain of that vessel ?" 
 
 I replied I was. 
 
 He said, looking me over, "You do look more like a Captain 
 than you did yesterday:" but we very soon closed the trade, — a 
 full cargo of flour for Campeche at one dollar a barrel. 
 
50 
 
 We arrived in Campeche and loaded for New York. Arrived 
 there, and ended a very successful voyage, much more so than 
 though I hadn't lost my mast and suffered the hurricane. Get- 
 ting this full cargo of flour helped me out. We then chartered 
 for Xew Orleans. As I hadn't been home for perhaps a year I 
 went to Yarmouth, and stopped thirty-six hours, took the girl 
 that became my wife and came to New York. I was married 
 there on the 19th day of January, 1845, by the Eev. Henry 
 Chase, minister of the Gospel ; in a few days sailed for New Or- 
 leans. We had a very pleasant passage with the exception of my 
 wife being very seasick. We discharged the cargo, and went one 
 hundred miles above New Orleans and loaded with molasses, and 
 then returned to New York. The next voyage was to the Bay of 
 Mexico, — very successful and pleasant with the exception of my 
 wife's sickness. She had so much fever that her hair all came out. 
 
 The next voyage was to the Island of St. Thomas, and to 
 Bonaire. Next voyage to St. Jago, and to Nansanilla, and back 
 to. New York. I'll state here that one voyage my wife was with 
 me from New York to Havana and back, a voyage made in 
 twenty-eight days ; the next voyage was thirty-seven days out and 
 back; next voyage forty-two days. So I continued in the West 
 India trade until Januar}^, 1847. Then I loaded with full cargo 
 of grain in bulk. This small vessel was loaded down with decks 
 not much above the water, and was bound to Sligo on the north- 
 west part of Ireland. We had a boisterous passage of nineteen 
 days. One very heavy gale we had stove the galley so there was 
 no cooking for a number of days, only what we did over a little 
 cylinder stove in the cabin. When we got on the coast of Ireland 
 we made land, with wind blowing a perfect gale. We did not 
 dare to run near to it for fear we could not get a pilot. I knew 
 that if I got near the land and didn't get a pilot that it was 
 blowing so heavy we could not keep the vessel off from the land. 
 So we were in this disagreeable situation hanging off from the 
 land, for five days. Then it died down to a moderate gale. . I 
 ran the vessel in, and made the entrance of Sligo. Still no pilot 
 in sight. But I was so near in that I was obliged to keep on. As 
 I entered I had to haul round a point of land, and there was the 
 pilot-boat. The pilot came on board, ran up a short distance and 
 came to anchor, it being dark. It blew so heavily that we let go 
 both anchors, and paid out all the chain. Next morning it had 
 moderated somewhat. I left and went up to Sligo by land. It 
 soon after commenced to blow so heavily, by the first part of the 
 afternoon the pilot didn't think it safe for the vessel to remain 
 there and it blew so heavily we couldn't get the anchors. So 
 
51 
 
 slipped them both and vessel around up to Sligo before dark 
 without cables or anchor. I hired some men with a launch, and 
 they got the anchors up and brought them to the vessel. 
 
 This was the time of the Irish famine. Xo one can appreciate 
 the sufferings without having seen it. The poor people would 
 pick up kernels of corn on the wharf and eat them. If I left the 
 vessel I was followed by a small army of beggars. It was im- 
 possible to supply all their wants, although we did the best we 
 could. One dav in my absence the mate of the vessel came into 
 the cabin and told my wife that there was a man on the wharf 
 almost frozen to death. She went on deck and, I think, on to 
 the wharf, and had the mate get him up, — he was lying down, — 
 with the assistance of others of the crew, and taKC him on board 
 the vessel and into the galley. There by means of much rubbing 
 and hot coffee he revived so as to eat. He was kept on board the 
 vessel until he seemed to be well recovered, and fed as much as 
 was proper for the situation he was in. His pockets were filled 
 with some kind of food and he was sent away. It wouldn't (lo to 
 give him a bundle of food for others would follow and get it 
 away from him. We couldn't allow those poor people to come 
 on board the vessel ; for if we did the deck would be full of them 
 all the time but thev would stand on the wharf alono^side the; 
 vessel and make their grievances known and l)eg for food. 
 
 AVe discharged our cargo and took in ballast and sailed for St. 
 Thomas, glad to get out of sight of so much suffering, but we 
 didn't get it out of mind. I am sure I never shall live long 
 enough to forget the terrible suffering I saw in Sligo. 
 
 We had a hard time to get clear of the land with heavy gales 
 for about ten or twelve days. The vessel tossed on the sea almost 
 as if she were an egg-shell. Most of the time she was under a 
 heavy press of canvas. I well remember how she used to shake 
 and tremble. After this the wind canted more to the northwest so 
 that we made a good slant south, and got down into the noi'th- 
 east trade winds. The rest of the passage was pleasant to St. 
 Thomas. 
 
 We chartered there to go to Mayaguez, Porto Rico, to load 
 sugar for Xew York, at one dollar per hundred. I had twenty- 
 seven pence a bushel freight from Xew York to Sligo,— about 
 fifty-two cents. This voyage ended very profitably. I niade one 
 more West India voyage and then put another man into my ves- 
 sel and sent her out to Tuba, while I went home to Yarmouth 
 with mv wife to make a visit. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 COMMAND OF BARK AGENORA. 
 
 While at home at this time I bought half of a double-decked 
 bark that was being built, with the understanding that I should 
 take charge of everything, I to plan her decks and have every- 
 thing as I wanted it. This vessel was finished and taken to Port- 
 land, where it was chartered to load for Havana. While she was 
 loading I returned to Yarmouth, settled up with the man of 
 whom I had purchased it, and bought another sixteenth. This 
 gave me nine sixteenths and Mr. J. Baker seven sixteenths. 
 
 I sailed and arrived in Havana, discharged and loaded for 
 Hamburg. I had a good freight of three pounds per ton. In 
 going up the English Channel bound to Hamburg I was a num- 
 ber of days in the Channel with head winds. Many boats came 
 off from the shore, and told me that the port of Hamburg was 
 blockaded. I well remember one morning, — I was probably not 
 so pleasant as I might have been, — we had a strong breeze of 
 wind and the vessel listed down. One boat came alongside and 
 they could climb right off the boat over the rail, she was down 
 so much. One of them came right up to me and asked where I 
 was bound. I replied "To Hamburg.'' 
 
 He said, "Hamburg's blockaded; you can't go there. I can 
 take you into the Isle of Wight." 
 
 I replied, "Didn't I tell you that I was bound to Hamburg ?" 
 
 "Do you persist in going there after I tell you it is blockaded ? 
 I'll go on shore and report you." 
 
 I started for him and told him he couldn't be too quick. He 
 went into his boat much more quickly than he came out. 
 
 I continued until I got up to Dover and came to anchor; a 
 boat came off to me. I asked him if he knew of a good N^orth sea 
 pilot. He told me he did, and he was at home. 
 
 "How long will it take you to get him and bring him off here ?" 
 
 "I think less than an hour," was his reply. 
 
 The pilot came on board. I questioned him thoroughly. By 
 his appearance and his answer I made up my mind he was the 
 man I wanted. Then I said, "How much will you take this ves- 
 sel to Hamburg for?" 
 
 He replied, "Are you aware that it is blockaded ?" 
 
V.', 
 
 "> o ■> ) 
 
 O J • 4 
 
 5 3 3 3 
 
 * » 
 
 -> 3 ' 
 
 •a -9 
 
 3 3 3 3 
 3 3 3 3 
 
 3 3 3 
 
 O 3 
 
 3 3 3 3 
 
 3 3 3 3 
 33 3 3 
 
 3 3 3 3 
 
 • '333 
 3 3 3 3 
 
53 
 
 "I am, but I am going to try to get there." 
 
 I said also, "Now if we get up there, and fall in with the 
 blockade, and are ordered off and have to come down to Flushing 
 Roads, I shall pay you your pilotage the same as though we went 
 
 m. 
 
 He told me the number of pounds he would go for. Then I 
 asked if he could go into the mouth of the Elbe, in by the light- 
 ship in the night. He said that he could. 
 
 Then I said, "I'll give you your price. If we succeed in keep- 
 ing clear of the blockade and get in, I'll make you a present of 
 live pounds." 
 
 He went on shore and soon returned with his things. We got 
 under way immediately and proceeded, this being the first and 
 only time that ever I took a North Sea pilot. Perhaps the next 
 afternoon we were running up with a strong fair wind, all light 
 sails and steersails set. The pilot said, "We don't know how far 
 down those men-of-war may be. I think it would be advisable to 
 take in all light sails and go slow till dark." 
 
 We discovered nothing all the afternoon although keeping a 
 bright look-out from aloft. As soon as dark, we put all sail on 
 the vessel again, there was strong wind, and continued our course 
 for the mouth of the Elbe. Xo lights were allowed to be lighted 
 on board, only one shaded one, so that the man at the wheel 
 could see the compass. 
 
 Before twelve o'clock at night we made the man-of-war, about 
 six points on our starboard bow. She was all lighted up like a 
 steamboat. As soon as seen we changed our course, and went 
 more to the port to get further away. When we had sailed along 
 so she was after the beam we changed our course again as it 
 was before. I hardly think there was a word spoken aloud, 
 everything was as silent as could be, and when the man-of-war 
 was astern and we were sure it hadn't changed its course, I 
 doubt not every one felt relieved, myself in particular. We soon 
 made the light on the island of Heligoland and then the light 
 boat in the mouth of the river. We continued on and ran in pa,st 
 the light boat well into the mouth of the river and cajne to anchor. 
 
 The next morning the river pilot came aboard and at sunrise 
 we were getting under way with American flag flying and the 
 Danish man-of-war so near in that he could see it plainly. We 
 arrived in Hamburg to the surprise of every one that we had 
 run the blockade. — There was not an American ship in port. 
 
 I chartered for New York, a very high charter. The lower 
 hold was full of cargo and a full complement of passengers be- 
 tween decks, — perhaps 300 or more. A Boston l)ark left Havana 
 
54 
 
 three days before I did bound to Hamburg. I think I had been 
 in six days when she came along, and fell in with the blockade 
 and was ordered off. She went back to Flushing Roads and lay 
 till the next summer. This was during July and August. 
 
 When we sailed for Xew York, we discharged our pilot at the 
 mouth of the river. We saw the blockading ship in the offing; 
 and passed quite near to her. She didn't want anything of us 
 and by the laws of nations she couldn't trouble us outward 
 bound. But I have little doubt that the remark was made aboard 
 of her, — "That's the Yankee that ran the blockade." We ar- 
 rived in New York after a pleasant passage of thirty-five days 
 with no sickness or other calamity. So ended this prosperous 
 voyage. 
 
 Then I chartered for Limerick, in Ireland, then up the Medi- 
 terranean to Palermo, for a cargo of fruit to Xew York. As my 
 vessel was new and had only made one voyage we had to metal 
 her bottom. This is done to keep the worms from eating the 
 2:)lank. We sailed and arrived in the river that leads up to Lim- 
 erick, going up with a fair wind. The pilot plumped her on to 
 a ledge. We took in all our sails then carried a small anchor with 
 a hawser attached to it out astern, and as it was a flowing tide 
 we got off without any accident except the loss of a few sheets of 
 metal. We sent up to Limerick for another pilot and arrived 
 safely. The first pilot that put her on a ledge I said I would not 
 pay. He begged of me not to report him to the commissioners 
 as he feared if I did he would lose his branch. My consignee 
 was chairman of the commissioners. I stated the case to him. 
 and he told me that I could make a statement of the case and 
 he would have his branch taken from him. I had no desire to 
 injure the man by depriving him of his means of livelihood. 
 The tide rises and falls so much in Limerick that it ebbed away 
 from the vessel every low water so that we repaired our metal 
 that was injured by the pilot getting us on the ledge with very 
 little expense. 
 
 The morning that the vessel was going down the river in charge 
 of a pilot I had to stop to finish up my business, supposing that 
 I should join the vessel that evening. About the time that she 
 went away this pilot that had put her on the ledge appeared. Ho 
 assisted in casting off the lines to let her go, and then he appealed 
 to me to give him something. He admitted that he had no claim 
 for pilotage but his wife and children were suffering for food, 
 and he was without money. His pitiful story touched me, and 
 I gave him a five pound note. He took it and thanked me very 
 kindh^, and told me that he knew he had no claim for pilotage, 
 
36 
 
 but the money that I had given him would relieve his family, 
 and he could go home to them carrying food. 
 
 Instead of doing that he went off and hired a lawyer and I 
 was arrested in less than an hour. I went right uj) with the 
 sheriff and saw my consignee. He became my bondsman. I 
 had to appear in court that afternoon. Then I said to my con- 
 signee, "I want a good lawyer." 
 
 He told me of one, and sent a clerk with me to the lawyer's 
 office. I told him my story. He requested me to be at his office 
 at 2 P. M. I left and went on with my business. 
 
 When this pilot was casting off the ropes, Capt. Small of the 
 American bark Glynn of Freeport, Me., was standing there and 
 heard all the conversation between the pilot and myself and saw 
 me give him the five pound note. 
 
 Just before dinner time this Captain Small came into the office 
 where I was and asked me to take dinner aboard his vessel. As 
 she was but a short distance away, I gladly accepted. After we 
 were through dinner I invited him to go up to my lawyer's and 
 up to the court house, not thinking I should want to use him. He 
 accepted the invitation, and we went to the lawyer's office. Then 
 we three started for the court house. On the way he took me by 
 the arm. Only think of my feelings walking arm in arm with 
 the best lawyer in Limerick. He said, "Xow, if they put you on 
 the stand you tell the truth if you have a mind to, but don't you 
 mind what I say." 
 
 The case was opened immediately, and this pilot had a half 
 dozen witnesses or more to be examined. He proved that the 
 vessel wouldn't steer, and that caused the accident. I don't sup- 
 pose any -one of these witnesses knew anything about the case 
 except as he had told them to swear. As my vessel had gone I 
 had no witnesses at all. The lawyers began their arguments. 
 When my lawyer was making his argument, his opponent came 
 up back of the judge and whispered in his ear. My lawyer 
 grabbed him and hauled him away, saying, "You shouldn't be 
 whispering in the judge's ear." So my lawyer went on with his 
 argument, quite at length but with very little truth in it. He 
 stated that this vessel was just newly coppered in New York, and 
 chartered to go up to Palermo to get a cargo of fruit for N^ew 
 York; that now by this pilot running her ashore and stripping 
 off so much of her copper when there was no chance to remetal 
 her, she would have to return to ?^ew York to remetal, and as 
 that would be a deviation of the voyage the owners would have 
 to pay a large forfeiture. Any one that knew anything about 
 vessels and their business would know that the argument was 
 
56 
 
 mostly his. I felt as though I had lost the case by my own law- 
 yer's lying. As soon as he sat down I was on my feet, stepped a 
 few steps toward the judge, and said, — 
 
 "Will vour honor allow me to make a few statements of the 
 facts as they were ?" 
 
 He consented. I began with the time the vessel ran on the 
 ledge, and told the whole process of getting her off ; I told of the 
 sending for another pilot because I couldn't trust the other, "and 
 now,'' I said, "he has quite a number of witnesses here that tes- 
 tify that they were down the river and that they saw the whole, 
 and that the refusal of the vessel to steer caused the accident. I 
 state to your Honor that there wasn't a boat in sight when this 
 vessel went on the ledge, so that their evidence is manufactured 
 for the occasion. I never saw him from the time the vessel made 
 fast to the wharf till we were casting off to go away. He helped 
 do it; after the vessel was gone he told me he knew he had no 
 claim for pilotage but his wife and children were destitute and 
 he hadn't any money to buy food for them, that if I would give 
 him something he would consider it very kind in me. His appeal 
 of destitution touched me very much and I gave him a five pound 
 note. He thanked me and seemed very much pleased and left as 
 I supposed to buy food. Less than one hour I was under arrest. 
 And here he is now with a lot of witnesses who have sworn to 
 what he has requested them. I fully believe this to be the case 
 for I know they did not see the vessel on the ledge." 
 
 "This is all I have to say, your Honor; and I have given you 
 a plain statement of the facts." 
 
 The judge said, "Can you prove that he said that he had no 
 claim on you ?" 
 
 "Yes. I have a gentleman. Captain Small, master of an 
 American bark. He asked me to take dinner with him today as 
 my vessel is gone, and after dinner I asked him here not thinking 
 I should need him. His name is Charles Small. I'd like to have 
 him called and let him make a statement under oath of the con- 
 versation that he heard between this pilot and me." 
 
 He was called, made his statement and the judge said, 
 
 "Captain, you are discharged." So there was no cost except in 
 anxiety. 
 
 I joined my vessel and sailed for and arrived at Palermo, a 
 pleasant and safe passage. Although we were from New York, 
 and by the w^ay of Limerick, and there was no sickness in either 
 port, still they quarantined us for twenty-one days. They took 
 my vessel's papers from my hands with a pair of tongs eight to 
 ten feet long, and held them over a little fire of smoke that they 
 
67 
 
 had made for the occasion. This we thought was cruel, and we 
 knew needless, to be confined on board the vessel twenty-one 
 days, but we had to comply with it. Their quarantine laws are 
 so strict that if a vessel has laid out about her time and another 
 vessel has just commenced her days of quarantine, that if a bird 
 should light on the one that has just commenced her quarantine 
 then fly and light on the one that the quarantine is almost out. 
 the latter has to lay out the quarantine of the one just com- 
 menced. 
 
 Ill state a few things of interest to us after we were out of 
 quarantine. The vessel lay an anchor off and stern hawser to 
 the quay, so that she was not more than twenty-five feet from the 
 quay. They have barbers there that go round with a little stool ; 
 when they can find a customer he sits on the stool and is shaved. 
 A few days before I arrived one of these barbers was down on 
 the quay about noon when the laborers had gone for their dinner. 
 Some fellow came along who had a grudge against the barber 
 and he killed him and went off and left him lying there. Soon 
 after another fellow came along, took out his big knife and cut 
 the head from the body and threw it away some distance. I 
 have no doubt as to the truth of this as it was told to me by 
 parties whom I believed. 
 
 One pleasant morning a guide came down with two little 
 donkeys in addition to the one he rode on. Mrs. Webster and 
 myself soon mounted on the other two and were off for a very 
 high mountain. We could seldom see the top of it for clouds. 
 This took us hours, I think over three, to go to the top. Then 
 we didn't look up to see the clouds, but down. After we 
 descended a short distance we came to a Catholic church or 
 chapel which seemed to be in a cave. It was furnished with 
 tables, chairs, and so on. Hanging up round the walls was hair 
 cut from female's heads, done up in large twists. Our guide 
 told us that some women had promised if certain things should 
 come to them, they would give all the hair from their heads to 
 this church. Others promised in the same way, that if certain 
 things came to them they would go up this mountain backwards 
 till they came to the church. Others promised to crawl up the 
 mountain on their hands and knees. On our descending we saw 
 one person plodding her way up in this situation. We returned 
 to our vessel just before night quite tired but pleased with our 
 journey. 
 
 Another day we visited a Catholic church and went dowru 
 twenty feet or more, till we came to a large mortuary where we 
 found doubtless thousands of dead bodies, some laying on shelves 
 
58 
 
 dressed and gloved as though alive and looking natural; others 
 standing against the walls, some almost hard to believe dead. 
 For all those that looked so much like life, their friends had to 
 fetch so many wax candles, enough to burn for a year. If they 
 failed to do that they were taken out and put into the ground. 
 This place was all lighted by the wax candles, perhaps two can- 
 dles to every body. 
 
 Another day we visited a park with a guide. We went through 
 winding paths and roads till we were well into the woods, and we 
 came to a nice looking little house, with steps to the door. The 
 guide said that any one who liked could go up there and the 
 door would be opened. We all supposed that we would get an 
 inside view of this house or cottage, so Mrs. Webster ascended 
 the steps. As soon as she stepped on the upper step the doors flew 
 open and there was an image dressed like a priest, within three 
 feet of her, bowing very politely. Of course, she turned and came 
 down. I think few women could have met that sudden sur- 
 prise without being very much frightened. Mrs. Webster did not 
 show the least alarm. We went to another house. The guide 
 requested us to stand one side while he went up to the door, 
 standing a little one side of the door. It flew open and there 
 was another image of a priest holding the pipe of a water hose 
 in his hand, I think the water squirted from it twenty or thirty 
 feet. 
 
 We visited one more house. The door flew open, and there 
 was a priest sitting at the table with an open Bible. His face 
 turned toward us; he motioned with his hand for us to leave. 
 This guide told me that he had never taken any one into this 
 park who could find the way out. I said, "Let me go ahead," 
 and I went out, they all following me, very much to the guide's 
 surprise. I told the company how I did it. There had been a 
 light shower, and of these high trees, the branches extended over 
 the walks. When we went in we disturbed the leaves, so I discov- 
 ered the way, by the dew from the leaves. 
 
 Another day we took a carriage and drove out about six miles 
 to a church on high land in a very small village of a few small 
 houses. We left our carriage and went into the church. It was 
 very nice and expensive. The inside was all mosaic work. As 
 we came out we were surrounded by beggars. They followed us 
 to our carriage, and the driver started Up immediately, but they 
 followed holding out their hands into the carriage. The driver 
 , seeing the situation whipped his horses into a run, and got clear 
 of these dangerous people. When I told where we had been to 
 
59 
 
 the U. S. Consul he said it was very dangerous for us to run that 
 risk, as it had happened that people were stolen and hid away, 
 and a high ransom demanded. After being told the danger that 
 we went through it would have required a large amount of money 
 to hire me to make another excursion of the same kind. 
 
 Mrs. Webster spent considerable time with the U. S. Consul's 
 wife while we were in port. She told her of the terrible Civil 
 war JQst ended there, and we were told of it by others. It was 
 terribly cruel. They killed people in the streets and let them lie. 
 
 In a short time our vessel was loaded and we sailed for New 
 York. For a fortnight after we were out we had light head 
 winds, and made but little progress. 
 
 We hadn't got near down to Gibraltar, when, one pleasant 
 morning, there was a bark right astern of us. The Captain said 
 he was bound from Palermo to Baltimore, and that he was going 
 into Palermo when I was going out. I think by the way he spoke 
 that he was pleased with his doings. I didn't rejoice with him a 
 bit. Soon after the wind breezed up ahead, and away he went, 
 and I believe he outsailed me one fifth. He tacked ship in the 
 afternoon, and as he came along, I think he" was six or eight miles 
 to the windward of me, — a terrible beat. I didn't see any more 
 of him for about a week or ten days, and we had got through the 
 Straits of Gibraltar and well clear of the land, but with a strong 
 head wind. 
 
 My vessel was on the port tack heading to the northwest. I 
 sighted a vessel a little on our weather-bow. My vessel at this 
 time was under close reefed topsails, reefed courser, inner jib 
 and reefed spanker. I have no doubt she was doing all she could 
 judging by the way she trembled. As I came up with this vessel 
 I found her to be the same one that had sailed me out of sight ten 
 days before. He was laying too under a main spencer with his 
 royal and top gallant yards down. When a vessel is in this situa- 
 tion the Captain must think that it is very heavy weather. 
 
 The next day the wind canted more to the northwest, and I 
 wore ship and got on the starboard tack. The wind continued to 
 become more northerly and at the least let up of wind we would 
 add more canvas. I have not a doubt that if this vessel had been 
 human and could have spoken it would have said "You don't let 
 me rest a biti" 
 
 The wind had continued to haul round until it got on our 
 starboard quarter. We had increased our canvas till we had the 
 topgallant sail set. I thought the vessel had about all the can- 
 vas she could bear. Mrs. Webster said, "Can't you get that fore- 
 
60 
 
 topmast-staysail boom out and get some preventers on it so 
 that you can set/ the f oretopmast-staysail ?" This sliows how 
 anxious she was to drive a vessel ahead. 
 
 I arrived in New York, received $50 from my consignee for 
 the quick passage I had made; for being loaded mostly with 
 oranges they think a great deal of a quick passage. About six 
 days after my arrival I saw the arrival of this bark that had 
 beaten me so much in Baltimore. Doubtless our feelings had 
 changed, — mine to pleasure and perhaps pride, doubtless his to 
 envy or mortification. 
 
 After discharging, I ballasted my vessel and sailed to Havana. 
 On my arrival, I chartered for three pounds, fifteen shillings per 
 ton for Cowes and a market, and was ordered to London to dis- 
 charge. While there I took Mrs. Webster to see many things 
 that were interesting, amongst other things the block that Mary 
 Queen of Scots laid her head on and the ax that beheaded her. 
 and some of the clothes that Lord Nelson wore at the battle of 
 Trafalgar when he was shot, — the vest with the blood stains on 
 it ; also Napoleon's carriage that was taken from him. We sailed 
 from there for Cardiff, Wales, and loaded for New York. We 
 arrived there after a pleasant and successful voyage. 
 
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 3)33 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 TOOK COMMAND OF THE SHIP PUMGUSTUCK. 
 
 Two years and nine months from the time I sailed from Port- 
 land in this vessel new, I put my mate, a young man, in command 
 of her. In this two years and nine months I had metalled this 
 vessel, paid for it and all of her cost within $300. After getting 
 her away I came home and stopped at home nearly a year ; had a 
 ship built of which I owned one third. Mr. Baker who had 
 owned seven sixteenths of the bark I left owned two thirds of 
 her. We filled her full of hay on our own account. We sailed 
 from Portland under double reefed topsails, passed Portland 
 light just as they were lighting it. That night it blew very 
 heavily and we had to come under very short canvas, wind on her 
 quarter, but still kept her on her course, and arrived at the mouth 
 of the Mississippi Bar, nine days from Portland. I know of no 
 ship that has ever made the passage in that short time. Sold the 
 hay and loaded for Boston. We arrived and loaded again for 
 New Orleans, arrived out safely. We loaded cotton for St. Peters- 
 burg. 
 
 As is the custom in New Orleans we get our men aboard in the 
 evening, and go down the river with a heavy tug-boat. This 
 time the tug-boat had another ship in tow besides mine. Men 
 were allowed to stay in all night and they were called out the 
 first thing for breakfast ; then they were turned to to go get sails 
 on the vessel. 
 
 As we got to the mouth of the river, the other ship was dropped 
 from the tow as the Captain of the tug-boat did not like to take 
 two ships on the bar, fearing that one or both might ground. My 
 ship being loaded wholly with cotton, it was pretty sure that slie 
 would go over the bar without stopping. As the sailors saw that 
 we were proceeding right to sea, they came aft in a body and said 
 to me, 
 
 "You must take this ship back into the river. She is too crank 
 and is not sea- worthy, and we will not do any more duty on board 
 of her." They went off forward ; it not being a proper time to 
 have any trouble with them, I went on board the tug-boat into 
 the wheel-house and told the Captain that my men had refused 
 duty. By this time we were over the bar, and there was a verv 
 light wind off the land. I requested the Captain not to cast off 
 
62 
 
 until I had some sail on the vessel and then to let go but one 
 rope at a time, as I had but myself, two mates, a cook and steward 
 to do the work. He said he would make it as easy as he could 
 for me. Mrs. Webster took the steering-wheel and we set some of 
 the small sails, jib, spanker, and some of the stay-sails, enough 
 to force the ship ahead so she would steer. Then they began to 
 cast off the tow-ropes one at a time, and when we had the last 
 one in the tug-boat sheered off and left us. In getting in these 
 big ropes I was completely out of breath. I said to the second 
 mate, — 
 
 "Go and take the wheel from Mrs. Webster." 
 
 I sat down and rested perhaps five or ten minutes until I could 
 breathe all right, then I said to the chief mate, 
 
 "Go and call the men all aft." 
 
 They all came. I said to them, 
 
 "You demanded of me to fetch this ship to anchor and said 
 you would not do any more duty aboard. She is now at sea, and 
 will go to St. Petersburg unless I run ashore or some other ac- 
 cident happens. And you have got to work or not eat. So go 
 forward and make up your minds and report in ten minutes 
 whether you'll turn to or not." 
 
 In less than the stated time, two of them came aft and said. 
 "We are ready to go to work, sir." 
 
 I said to chief mate, — "Turn these men to, and get sail on 
 as quick as possible." 
 
 It was done. We arrived at Cronstadt, the discharging port 
 of St. Petersburg, after a pleasant passage. Everything was 
 pleasant after this for the passage. We discharged and went to 
 the port of Wyborg in Finland to load for Bordeaux in France 
 with the same crew. Before leaving Wyborg the steward told 
 me that we had only coffee enough for a few days, and asked mo 
 to get some chickory and peas and he would make it last. As 
 coffee was very high I was glad to do it. He burnt and ground 
 his chickory and peas, and added a little to the coffee. So ha 
 continued, — a little less coffee and more chickory and peas till it 
 was all chickory and peas. The men did not know this. The 
 first day in Bordeaux I bought good green coffee, and the cook 
 burnt and ground it and gave it to the men the next morning for 
 breakfast. They came aft to me when they had had their 
 breakfast and wanted me to taste of the stuff that was given them 
 for coffee, and said if they had to drink that kind of stuff they 
 wanted a discharge. They were so much dissatisfied, that they 
 all but one man ran away. The United States law at that time 
 was such that I could not discharge them without three months' 
 
63 
 
 extra pay, so it did not discommode me at all for them to leave, 
 as I had no trouble in getting a full crew when I wanted them. 
 
 I will" tell how I got one man. There was an American sailor 
 from another vessel ashore on liberty, and he got intoxicated and 
 was picked up by the police guard and put in prison. The vessel 
 that he belonged to sailed leaving this sailor there ; the Captain 
 not choosing to pay his jail fee and take him aboard. A short 
 time after this vessel sailed, I was told of the circumstances and 
 made inquiry of the cost of getting him out of jail. I sent the 
 money by a clerk that belonged to the house my ship was con- 
 signed to, and in a short time this sailor that I had never seen 
 came into the office and inquired for the captain of the American 
 ship Pumgustuck. I answered him and he said, 
 
 "You have taken me oat of prison. I want to go aboard of your 
 ship and I'll serve you faithfully for your kindness." 
 
 I said, "It would be no use, you would get drunk as soon as 
 you had a chance.^' 
 
 He said, "If youll let me go, I promise not to taste liquor ; I 
 ask for no wages, only for a chance to serve you for your kindness 
 in taking me out of prison." 
 
 The man seemed so sincere and so much in earnest, that I 
 took him on board, and found him an excellent sailor and a good 
 sail-maker, a very useful man in repairing sails and in any other 
 work of a seaman. When we were loaded with a cargo of wine 
 we sailed for New Orleans with some sixty passengers. 
 
 After we were clear of the land and down into the northeast 
 trades with pleasant weather, everything going along peaceably 
 and pleasant, my sister who was with us and another girl that 
 roomed wath her thought they could have a great deal of fun by 
 having I^^eptune come on board. It would be something that 
 those passengers knew nothing about. They asked my consent 
 which I gave. I told them the best man they could get for old 
 Neptune would be this sailor that I took out of prison, and they 
 might talk with him. They did so. He refused to comply with 
 their wishes. They told me, and I sent for him and had him 
 come aft. I asked him why he didn't consent to act the part of 
 old Neptune. He replied, "Sir, it never will do. I promised if 
 you would take me on board of your ship I would not get intoxi- 
 cated, and if I consent I know I shall get drunk." 
 
 I told him I couldn't understand that for they were to have 
 no liquor. After some talk he said he would consent if I wouldn't 
 get angry with him. So it was arranged for a certain night. 
 Along in the evening, it was very pleasant with a side wind, ship 
 listed down a little, passengers all on deck, w^hen some one prob- 
 
64 
 
 ably a sailor that understood what was going on ran to the lee 
 side of the vessel and sang out, "0 see what a whale !" 
 
 The passengers all ran to the lee side to see this whale and 
 just at this time the sailor who represented Neptune came over 
 the bow dripping wet and sings out with a speaking trumpet, — 
 "Ship ahoy ! I want to see the master !" 
 
 By this time the passengers heard it and as it was a bright 
 moonlight night they could see him well, rigged up as he was 
 looking like nothing human, ropeyarns for a beard two feet long 
 and other disguises so he walked along the weather side of the 
 deck, water dripping from him, passengers staring and won- 
 dering. 
 
 He came to me — "Are you Captain of this ship?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "Well I see you have a great many here that have never crossed 
 the line, and it is my custom that they must be shaved. So I 
 will begin with some of the men first." 
 
 I don't know as he shaved any one, but he had all the fixings, 
 his lather, and I think a piece of iron hoop for a razor. They 
 begged to be let off. He said, — 
 
 "Only on one condition can you escape being shaved. Give me 
 a bottle of wine." 
 
 As these passengers had wine every day with their meals, they 
 were very glad to compromise with him and get clear. How 
 much they gave him I don't know, but this I know, he was well 
 drunk. I couldn't say a word for I had promised not to be 
 angry. He soon got over it and was himself again. He stayed 
 by the vessel until she was well made fast and the watchman on 
 board; then he said, 
 
 "Captain, I must leave. I promised that I would serve you 
 faithfully and wouldn't get drunk. If I stay here I know I shall 
 break my promise." 
 
 The next day I paid him off with just the same money the 
 other sailors had. 
 
 While at Wyborg in Finland I and my wife were away from 
 the vessel, and the second mate had some trouble with one of 
 the men, and struck him with a piece of board which gave him 
 a mark he would carry as long as he lived. As I have stated, the 
 men all deserted in Bordeaux with the exception of one. This 
 man did not leave, and I learned through the steward that he 
 was bound to stick by the vessel. Before leaving, I wrote to my 
 shipping master in New Orleans to engage a lawyer, as I sus- 
 pected there would be trouble between one of the sailors and the 
 mates. The ship-master did as I requested. When I towed into 
 
65 
 
 the mouth of the river, a boat came off and brought a letter from 
 the lawyer stating, — "Detain the ship below, and let the mates 
 come up the day before you come, so that they cannot be found to 
 be arrested." I showed the letter to the Captain of the tug-boat 
 and told him what I feared. He said, "I'll get those men out of 
 the ship for you and they shall not be caught. To-night, when 
 everything is still and dark, let both the mates take all their be- 
 longings and pass it out on boaid the boat. Be sure it is passed 
 out from the after part of the ship, so if there is a man forward 
 he shan't see it. And when you arrive at the levee, probably 
 there will be a sheriff there, but he will have to get these men's 
 names on the writ, and then there will be a general rush on board 
 the ship, — stevedores, sailor landlords, tailors, and others, solic- 
 iting business. You be sure that you get us a good strong bow 
 hawser out forward— enough to hold the ship. At the time when 
 all those people are rushing on board, let the two mates come on 
 board my boat from the aft part of the ship. The after house 
 will keep them out of sight of those forward and as soon as they 
 are on board I will let go all ropes from the ship and sheer of .'^ 
 
 It was done just as he planned it. Mr. Dennison from Free- 
 port had done the discharging and loading my vessels in ISTew 
 Orleans a number of times, and was one of the first to come on 
 board. I said, — 
 
 "Can you raise some men very quickly and make this ship 
 fast ? My mates are gone, and I want to go immediately.^' 
 
 He went for men, but 3'Ou ought to see the stirprise when the 
 sheriff and the sailors and the landlords came out of the fore- 
 castle, — the sailors intending to point out the mates to the 
 sheriff. But thev were not to be found. I told the steward that 
 I was going and there would be a man down with some men to 
 make the ship fast, and for him to assist all he could. The ship- 
 ping-master being there, I left with him to see the lawyer. Went 
 to his office, and as soon as the ceremony of being introduced to 
 him was over, the lawyer said, "I have got the wrong side. It is 
 the sailors' side I generallv take." 
 
 I replied that I was aware of that, and that was why I wrote 
 from France to retain him. 
 
 There was nothing to be done till the men were found. It 
 went on for about three davs, and the train that left for Mobile 
 was watched, and a notice pasted up in different places "$100 
 reward for information with regard to the whereabouts of these 
 
 men." 
 
 I think four days went by when the lawyer sent for me. "Look 
 here, if you don't settle this case, thev are going to arrest vou. I 
 
66 
 
 have been keeping them back for two days, and I don't think I 
 can any longer ; for all those men will swear under oath that yon 
 were present and urging the second mate on/' The fact was I 
 was not within miles of the vessel, and when I returned at night, 
 I fixed up the man the best way I could, and got him into the 
 hospital that night. I had all done for him that could be done. 
 The lawyer told how small a sum the affair could be compromised 
 for, clearing the men, if found, and myself. That day the com- 
 promise was made, and I felt relieved. 
 
 After discharging I loaded for N'ew York. As is customary, 
 all ships going down that lay well up town are towed down to the 
 lower part of the city to make up their tow before dark. I saw 
 the shipping-master on charge in the forenoon; he said, "It is 
 not worth while for you to come down till you come down in the 
 ship for I have all your men shipped and can puf them on board 
 at very short notice." 
 
 When I got down in the ship it was about dark. We made 
 fast to the other ship that was going down with us. Hearing 
 nothing from the shipping-master as I expected as soon as I got 
 down, I went to his office, a short distance, and found him there, 
 looking sad. 
 
 He said, "I don't know what's up, but every man I had shipped 
 for you has backed out, and I have shipped others and they soon 
 come back and say they won't go. I am afraid I can't get you 
 a crew to-night." 
 
 I went from the ship to the shij)ping-office a number of times. 
 It grew late, and the tug-boat Captain was anxious to start. I 
 prevailed on him to wait a short time longer till I went to the 
 shipping-office again to see if there were any prospect, but a very 
 short distance before I got to the office, I passed this sailor that 
 had the scar from the second mate in Wyborg, standing on the 
 sidewalk. Just as I reached the shipping-office door, a sailor 
 came out. I turned to look at him and saw him stop and talk with 
 the sailor with the broken nose. As I went into the office, the 
 shipping-master said 
 
 "It's no use, I can't get you a crew for to-night. If I get a 
 man and he ships he returns in a very few minutes and says he 
 caji't go. There's one just come in that I had shipped and said 
 he couldn't go." I said, "I have found out the reason. That 
 sailor with whom we had the trouble in Wyborg is on the watch 
 and stops every one that comes out." 
 
 The shipping-master said, "I'll fix him," and he left me. 
 
 He returned with one man. As he and I stopped at the door, 
 he advanced to the sailor who was causing all the others to back 
 
67 
 
 out and hit him a slajD. Two or three others concealed close by 
 rushed out and sang out, — "A row ! a row !" 
 
 Two policemen were concealed close by so arranged by the 
 shipping-master, and rushed out, grabbed this sailor, one each 
 side, and walked him off to the calaboose. Strange to say, in 
 less than an hour and a half my vesselleft with a full crew. 
 
 As both of my mates had left, I was in want of a chief mate 
 at once. One afternoon, quite a nice looking man came down and 
 inquired for the Captain, and told me he had heard I wanted 
 a chief officer. I asked him finally if he had any recommenda- 
 tions from his last vessel. He held out his two hands — "There 
 are all the recommendations I have, sir. I have just been turned 
 ashore from the ship I came in in." He told me the reasons. 1 
 didn^t think any the less of him after hearing them. He proved 
 to be an A 1 man in every respect. I shall have more to say 
 about him later. 
 
/ 
 
 CHAPTEE XI. 
 
 IN THE ICE. 
 
 We had a very quick passage to the Highlands, near Sandy 
 Hook. We went in past the Hook with a light wind from the 
 southwest, and got up perhaps half the way to the Narrows. 
 There the wind died away about calm and we anchored. As the 
 ebb-tide made, the pilot told me he feared it would bring the ice 
 down. I said, "Then why not get the anchor and let her drift 
 out with the tide ?" 
 
 "0, we can't do that, for the ebb-tide would take her right on 
 the east bank. We have got to hold her if we can.'^ The' ice 
 came down in a body. Although we lay with a very long scope of 
 chain out, the ice came down against the chain, and pressed it 
 so hard it seemed as if the chain would be right up and down. 
 Then the ice would crack and the chain would fly up out of water, 
 beyond the jib-boom end. But in less than an hour the chain 
 parted and the ship went ashore on the east bank. 
 
 We had noticed a tug-boat trying to get through the ice to us. 
 Coming on dark, he gave it up. The ship lay heel down till her 
 bilge lay on the bottom. When the tide turned it brought the 
 pressure on the other side, and righted her up and she went off 
 the bank when there was not enough water to float her by two 
 feet. 
 
 The next ebb-tide she went ashore again. As we could do 
 nothing with her, the ship was wholly at the mercy of the ice. At 
 times we could see no water inside Sandy Hook, just one glare of 
 ice. One small single decked vessel went ashore about the time 
 we did the first time and shortly before dark the crew all left her 
 and started to walk ashore to Long Island. 
 
 The second time we went ashore, the stern took on the bottom 
 first and we swung around, broadside to the ice. I had my fears 
 that the ice would keep shelving up as it struck the vessel's side 
 piling up beside her, and I feared it would pile up so as to run 
 over her. Along in the night, while it was bitterly cold, ther- 
 mometer below zero, I said to the pilot, — 
 
 "Don't you think we better put two boats over the side and 
 hang them by yard tackles ? So if the ice does pile up alongside 
 we can get into the boats, lower them on the ice, and escape from 
 the ship." 
 
69 
 
 He answered that it would do no harm. 
 
 We put them over and let them hang by tackles so we could 
 lower them very quickly on the ice. 
 
 I told my wife and sister what I feared we might have to do, 
 and for them to get ready and put on all the clothes they could. 
 I was on deck most of the time, watching the ice, and at one time 
 it got up so high it seemed within three or four feet of the deck. 
 I went into the cabin to take them out and they were all ready. 
 My wife, sister, pilot and little boy George, perhaps five years 
 old. There was a good fire, cabin warm, and they were all sitting 
 on the floor, the ship was so much heeled down. As I opened the 
 door, they all looked so comfortable I thought I would go out and 
 look again before taking them, and I saw the whole body of ice 
 moving a little. I watched it and it gradually moved faster till 
 it went round the stern of the ship. As there was no pressure she 
 righted up at once. 
 
 I wish to state here that this boy George was given to my wife 
 by her widowed sister when he was about three years old; she 
 having three children, and very limited means of support. 
 
 This night when they were getting ready to leave the ship and 
 getting on warm clothing, George picked up most of his toy 
 playthings and said he wasn't going away and leave them. More 
 about him later. 
 
 When the flood-tide came it took the ship off the bottom again, 
 but she was still at the mercy of the ice. As soon as it was day- 
 light we saw the steam tug-boat still trying to break a way 
 through the ice to get to iis. He succeeded in doing it about ten 
 A. M. As we found he was nearing us we got our hawsers all 
 ready tb make fast to him and as he got near he hollered, "I won't 
 take your hawser less than five thousand dollars.'' 
 
 I replied, "Get your boat alongside so I can talk with you." 
 
 He did this, and I went on board and up into the wheel-house 
 where he was. I said to him, "You can't mean five thousand, you 
 mean five hundred dollars." 
 
 "I mean five thousand dollars. I have a chance to make money 
 and I am going to do it, and you have got to sign this before I 
 will allow your hawser to be made fast." 
 
 It was a bill for five thousand dollars. It being a case of life 
 and death with us, I signed the bill. He did not know that he 
 was bound and that I was not; for a man that is in danger of 
 his life can sign any agreement to save his life, and when saved 
 the agreement is of no account. We reached Staten Island, by 
 getting in near the shore where tlie ice was not so thick. In the 
 afternoon the ice cleared out enough so we reached the dock in 
 
70 
 
 New York. The next morning, the man to whom I consigned the 
 ship, James Nesmith, and I went to the Atlantic Insurance Co., 
 the biggest insurance company in N'ew York. They had $15,000 
 insured on the cargo. I stated the whole case to Mr. Jones, presi- 
 dent of the company. He replied, 
 
 "Captain, that's a good deal of money." 
 
 I said I knew it. 
 
 He said^ "You are not holden to that agreement. We will take 
 time to consider i t before we pay." 
 
 As the bill was not paid that clay the steamboat agent left the 
 bill with a lawyer. I was notified that if the bill was not paid 
 that day the ship would be libelled. I immediately went and 
 handed the letter to the President of the Company. He read it 
 and said, "You go across the street to a certain office and ask 
 Mr. Benedict, the lawyer, to come over here." 
 
 I did so, and the lawyer returned with me. Mr. Jones said, 
 
 "Why are you hurrying this thing up in this way ?" 
 
 He replied, "I want you to say whether you will pay this bill 
 or you will not. If you say you won't pay it, Avhich I hope you 
 will, then I shall know what to do." 
 
 The President said he would let him know the next morning, 
 and he left. Then the President said, "I want you to be here 
 at 2 P. M." 
 
 I was there at the time and he and I got into a coach and were 
 driven to Lawyer Lord's office, he being considered one of the 
 best, or the best lawyer in New York. I was introduced to him, 
 and the President told me to state the case to him just as it was. 
 I repeated what I had told him the day before. The lawyer asked 
 what the cargo consisted of. 
 
 "Pork and lard in the lower hold, cotton between decks." 
 
 He asked how many bales of cotton, how much pork, and how 
 much lard. He then said, "Mr. Jones, pay that bill by all means. 
 If you don't, and he libels the ship and cargo, he'll get $27,000 
 or more, and then he'll put on another claim for life salvage, and 
 the court will award him a large amount for that." 
 
 We left, and I was well pleased and felt justified in making the 
 agreement of $5000. The next day the bill was paid. * 
 
 The consignees of the cargo signed an average bond to pay 
 their proportional part of everything that came under a general 
 average which was the steamboat bill and all damage to the ship. 
 We discharged ship, put her into dry dock, and she was examined 
 by surveyors and an estimate made of the cost of repairing her, 
 everything complete. Then I had an estimate of all calking and 
 
71 
 
 painting and sent them to Boston, as the ship was wholly insured 
 in Boston, stating, — 
 
 "I enclose these estimates to you, thinking you might wish to 
 send an agent here to look after her. If you do, I am ready to 
 make a compromise, if your agent comes with power from 3'ou to 
 do the same." 
 
 I went on, recalked the bottom, bored out a good many tunnels 
 that were started, and metalled the ship, as she had never been 
 metalled before and was but little over a year old. We floated 
 her and she was laying at the dock one very pleasant but cold 
 morning when a man walked down the wharf and said, "Are 
 you Captain of this ship ?" 
 
 I replied, "I am.'^ 
 
 "I am sent on as agent of the Boston Insurance Co. where your 
 ship is insured." 
 
 When he told me this, we shook hands, and I said, "I am glad 
 to see you here, sir." 
 
 There were from forty to fifty men at work on the ship then. 
 He said, "What are you cutting out that plank for? There is 
 nothing the matter with it." 
 
 "The forward part of this plank for fifteen or twenty feet was 
 cut badly by the ice and I choose to take the whole plank out; 
 for it is much better to have one long plank than two short ones, 
 and I intend to have this ship as good as she was before." 
 
 He said, "If there is a fire in the cabin, let's go in out of the 
 cold." We went in and he was introduced to my wife, and he 
 took out quite a package of papers, and said, "I have all your 
 estimates here. They are very high." 
 
 I replied, "Perhaps they are, but I had them from men that 
 would do the work for the amount specified." 
 
 He said, "You mentioned in your letter that you were ready 
 to compromise. How much will you compromise for ?" 
 
 I told him the amount. 
 
 "0, we can't give you that." 
 
 "Well, then I'll go on and repair her." 
 
 He told me he didn't think I'd get an average, and if I did 
 not, then we would have to pay all the expenses ourselves. I 
 replied that I knew that, but that I had figured it all out and I 
 was sure I should get an average. 
 
 He said, "No use for me to remain here and I shall return to- 
 night, but I will give vou so much," stating the amount. 
 
 I replied that I should not take it. He said, "Will you think it 
 over and be at Mr. N'esmith's office at 3 o'clock this afternoon ?" 
 
72 
 
 When I went there, he was waiting for me, and asked if I had 
 thought it over, and decided to take his offer. 
 
 I answered, "I should not take your offer. But it would save 
 a great deal of trouble and time to compromise as I should have 
 to wait till the work was all done and then get the bills in to 
 ascertain the claim 1 should have on the underwriters, and I had 
 come to the conclusion that I would take $500 from my offer to 
 you, and if you accept I am to have the money at once." 
 
 There was considerable talk between us and as it drew near the 
 time that he wanted to leave and he being satisfied, I suppose, 
 that he couldn't move me from my offer, said, "Well, I will close 
 with you.'' 
 
 A memorandum of this agreement was written off at once, 
 signed by both and we separated, he for Boston and I for my ship. 
 I saw the shipwright at once and said, "I have compromised and 
 have the ship on my own hands. I only want about half the 
 number of men to-morrow morning. Will you go with me and 
 let me select the men I want ?" 
 
 He assented. As these men were all working on the stages 
 around the ship I pointed out the men I wanted, without their 
 knowing it, and he said, "You have selected all my best men." 
 
 "I intended to. Can you send the men I have selected here 
 to-morrow morning ?" '^^Yes." 
 
 I'll state here that this shipwright, Mr. Pullion, had done 
 work for me for over nine years, and continued to up to his death 
 which made over forty years that he had done my ship work in 
 New York, and part of the time on nine different vessels. 
 
 I went on repairing my vessel. Before she was done the money 
 was sent me from the underwriters in Boston, and it was enough 
 to pay all bills for everything done on the ship, including new 
 metalling, and there was a small amount left. 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 SAIL FOR HAVANA. 
 
 I loaded for Havana, and arrived after a pleasant passage, 
 where I chartered and loaded for Hamburg. My men all stayed 
 by, the ship was loaded, sails bent and she got ready for sea. 
 Next morning I had no crew ; all had deserted. I feared I would 
 be put to much trouble to get a crew as there was a scarcity of 
 sailors in Havana, and I knew of a bark that had had much 
 trouble with the crew, and they were all discharged before the 
 U. S. Consul. I went to see the Captain of this vessel at once 
 and asked if he was all clear of those men, and he answered 
 "Yes." 
 
 "My men all deserted last night and I want a full crew. I 
 would not try to get the men that you had without seeing you." 
 
 He answered, "I have nothing to do with them; it makes no 
 difference to me where they go.'' 
 
 I said, "In all cases of trouble with sailors on ship-board there 
 are one or two that are the leaders and cause of the trouble. Was 
 it so in this case ?" 
 
 "Yes, there are two I advice you not to take." 
 
 "Please give me their names.'' 
 
 He did so and I bade him good morning thanking him for the 
 information. 
 
 I went immediately to the shipping-master and asked if he 
 could get me the crew that had left the bark of which I have 
 been speaking. He answered that he could, and I gave him the 
 names of the two I did not want. He thought he could raise up 
 some more so as to make me a full crew, so I could leave the next 
 morning. I went on board my own ship, returned after dinner 
 to the shipping-office. The shipping-master told me that those 
 men would not ship unless I took them all, and he did not know 
 of any other men he could get. I told him to wait an hour and I 
 went immediately on board my ship, told the mate the situation, 
 and he replied, "0 I would take them all; we can take care of 
 them." 
 
 This mate is the one I shipped in New Orleans, and who, when 
 I asked him for a reference, held out his two hands and said, — 
 "This is all the reference I can give you." 
 
74 
 
 I then went on shore, and had that whole crew shipped and we 
 left the next morning two men short. We had a pleasant pas- 
 sage, and arrived in the Elbe. There is a shoal place in the river 
 and the pilot said that if we didn't lighten the ship enough to 
 get over it the next day that we should have to lay over till the 
 next high run of tides. I went to Hamburg and got two large 
 lighters and got them down to the vessel late in the afternoon. I 
 commenced at once discharging boxes of sugar into the lighters. 
 We worked till six o'clock, and got supper; then turned to at 
 seven, discharging sugar. At midnight had a good warm supper. 
 After an hour's rest, we commenced work again. 
 
 About 4 o'clock A. M. the lighters were loaded and the 'tween 
 decks more than half empty. The men had coffee and a lunch 
 and then got the ship under way so that we arrived at Hamburg 
 about 7 P. M. There were no tug-boats there then. After we 
 had breakfast I went on shore takinoj mv wife and left her at the 
 hotel, then attended to my business, — entering the ship and 
 making arrangements for discharging. I went on board in the 
 afternoon. There was not one of the men there that we shipped 
 in Cuba. I have never seen or heard of one of them since. While 
 they were on board my ship they were peaceable and performed 
 their duty without giving any trouble. 
 
 Here after discharging, I loaded the lower hold with a cargo 
 for New York and took a full complement of passengers between 
 decks — between four and five hundred. 
 
 About the time the Cuba cargo was discharged this mate that 
 had said he had only hands to recommend him told me he must 
 leave. I saw that he looked very sad. I had not a thought but 
 that he was well pleased with the situation and I was well pleased 
 with him; so I thought it very strange that he should say that 
 he must leave, and I told him so. He said, "I'll tell you my 
 reasons. I am engaged to be married to a girl in London ; I have 
 been saving my money and sending it to her, so that when the 
 time came to be married we should have something to start in 
 life with. I have received a letter from a friend in London 
 stating that she is married. I must go and see if I can't get my 
 money or some of it back. But I'll stay with you till the ship is 
 loaded and leaves, if you wish." 
 
 I didn't see him for about four years, then it was in N'ew York 
 and he was master of one of the packet-ships ; there were no 
 steamers crossing the Atlantic in those days. He was a smart 
 capable man and a first rate disciplinarian. There never was 
 trouble with crew while he was with me. 
 
75 
 
 About fifteen or twenty days after I left Hamburg for New 
 York, a child, one of the passengers, was taken sick with the 
 diphtheria. All was done in our power, but he died and was 
 buried at sea. The ship hove to, the bell was tolled and funeral 
 services were read. Then the deceased, sewed up in canvas with 
 heavy weight at his feet, was launched into the sea. Others were 
 taken sick, and nine in all died, and were buried at sea. In the 
 sickness of these children mv wife was often between decks with 
 them, trying to do something to relieve their suffering. In fact I 
 think she did as much or more than their own mothers. I think 
 it was about fifteen days before we arrived in N'ew York that all 
 the sickness on board was ended. Some five days before we ar- 
 rived I told the passengers through an interpreter, that probably 
 we should be quarantined thirty days on account of our sickness. 
 But that if we could have everything clean and the 'tween decks 
 looking neat there was a possibility that we should not be quar- 
 antined. Every pains possible was taken to clean up and have 
 the 'tween decks looking neat and smelling sweet. When we 
 arrived at quarantine a doctor came on board. I gave him a 
 report of everything as it was, number of deaths and dates. He 
 went down, looked where the passengers were and 'tween decks 
 and said, "I shall give you a permit to go up. Your ship is the 
 neatest and cleanest that has arrived this season." That after- 
 noon we got clear of all the passengers, most of whom went to 
 the far West. 
 
 This passage was a very hard and unpleasant one for me. My 
 mate, that I got in Hamburg, was of very little use to me; the 
 second mate, a youngster from Portland, never had been to sea 
 with any One but me and I had put him forward perhaps faster 
 than I ought to. He had a great deal of "ugly" in him when he 
 got started, and he hectored and annoyed the chief mate in every 
 way possible. The chief mate was not man enough to stand up 
 and assume authority over him. I state a circumstance. 
 
 One afternoon, while sailing under double reef topsails, — this 
 was in the days before double topsails, — we split the foretopsail. 
 We got it down, took it into the forward cabin. As I always took 
 charge myself of all repairing of sails, and generally had one 
 man especially qualified for the work, he and I went to work on 
 this topsail. There was not room for any more to work to advan- 
 tage. Mrs. Webster threaded the needles, waxed the twine, and 
 kept needles threaded for us so there was no delay. About two 
 o'clock A. M. this sail was done and sent aloft. I did not dare to 
 trust either one of the mates, for fear lest their inexperience 
 
76 
 
 might lose the sail^ so went aloft myself with the men, and the 
 sail was soon bent and set double reefed. I could judge, if no 
 other way, by the tremble of the ship when she had all the canvas 
 she ought to bear. That forenoon I saw a ship quite near us 
 running under a close reefed maintopsail and reefed foresail. 
 We carried three close reefed topsails and reefed courser. 
 
 After this ship was discharged and loaded outward, I put my 
 wife's brother, Darius Pratt, in command, a smart capable man 
 in every respect. 
 
CHAPTEE XIII. 
 
 BUILDING THE SHIP HELIOS, AND HER STARTING. LOSS OF 
 
 THREE VESSELS AT SEA. 
 
 I went home and began building another ship. Mr. Baker and 
 I were the sole owners just as in the case of the two last. 
 
 Business was good in those days. The ship that I had left got 
 four pounds fifteen shillings a ton freight from Havana to St. 
 Petersburg. The bark of which I owned nine-sixteenths, and 
 of which I had put my mate in command, got the same Reason 
 five pounds for St. Petersburg. I wrote my brother-in-law in 
 England that if he reached New York by a certain time he could 
 have command of the new ship. I wrote the Captain of the bark 
 that if he reached New York by a certain time that he could have 
 the command of the ship that Capt. Pratt was going to leave. 
 Capt. Pratt had got as far west as 45 longtitude, the wind blow- 
 ing heavy and the ship under double reefed topsails. She was 
 being driven into a head sea, and being loaded with iron, she 
 started leaking. There was so much water in her that they were 
 satisfied that she would sink soon. A shij^ came along and 
 rescued them with great difficulty, and they were all carried back 
 to Liverpool. 
 
 The bark that I have spoken of got along within about two de- 
 grees of where the ship was when she was abandoned. She was 
 carrying a^ heavy press of canvas when perhaps she ought to have 
 been under much shorter canvas. She shipped a heavy sea, 
 opened her lee-water-ways and sprung a leak, so that the crew were 
 taken off from her in less than twenty-four hours, and brought 
 to New York and landed safe. I thought then and think now, 
 that this new ship that we had nearly finished might have been 
 the loss of both of the others, as the Captains were forcing them 
 perhaps harder than they could bear, knowing that if they didn't 
 reach New York by the time the new ship was done that the 
 promised change would not be made. 
 
 About this time Mr. Baker and I bought a large part of a 
 bark about six years old loaded with grain for Ireland. One of 
 our neighbors, Capt. John Davis, a man of much experience and 
 a thorough sailor, was in command. Nine days from New York 
 he abandoned the vessel in a sinking condition. The water had 
 got at the grain, and the grain choked the pumps. We went on 
 
78 
 
 with our new vessel, filled her full of hay on our own account, 
 and put a man in command we knew well, steady and reliable. 
 Nine days from Portland, she w^as totally dismasted. The ship 
 was at anchor at the Isaacs the northwest part of the Bahama 
 Banks in a heavy northwest wind. They couldn't got her under 
 way to clear the land on either tack, and when she dragged her 
 anchors, they cut away her three masts. Then she stopped drift- 
 ing. After the gale was over, they rigged up jury masts and got 
 her to Xew Orleans, the port for which she was bound. It cost 
 us over $12,000 to remast her and rig her again. 
 
 I received all this news inside six weeks, — the bark I owned 
 nine-sixteenths of, total loss ; ship that I owned one-third of, the 
 same ; ship that I owned fifteen thirty-seconds of, dismasted ; none 
 fully insured. (This was in 1854.) Some of the insurance that 
 I had is not yet collected, and never will be, on account of the 
 failure of the companies. 
 
 After hearing of the new ship's arrival in Xew Orleans, I went 
 to Boston, contracted to have her sails all made and sent out to 
 New Orleans, called at one of the insurance offices where they had 
 ten thousand on the ship. Col. Adams was president of the com- 
 pany, and I told him what I had done about the sails, and that 
 I was going to New York to buy all the rigging and send it out. 
 He approved of it. I asked if he had any agents in New Orleans, 
 and he answered "No, nor don't want any. The man that kept 
 the wreckers from that ship is all the agent I want. I want you 
 to write him to be sure and make her as good as she was before." 
 
 This president was a man I liked much, and he had had a risk 
 on my vessels for a long time. 
 
 After my arrival in New York the next morning I bought the 
 rigging and had it on its way by the first steamer that left New 
 York for New Orleans. 
 
 About the time this vessel was done in New Orleans, a friend 
 of mine, Capt. Enos Soule of Freeport, called on me to inquire 
 how I was getting along with the ship in New Orleans. I told 
 him that probably she was about finished. He asked how much 
 it was going to cost. "Over $12,000," I answered. 
 
 "Have you the money to pay it ?" 
 
 "No, I have instructed the Captain to draw on me ten days 
 from sight for the whole of it, and the money is due me, and if 
 I am not disappointed, I shall have it." 
 
 He said, "If you don't have it, jump into your sleigh and come 
 over to see me." 
 
 This man had offered me the command of a new ship many 
 years before and I had been mate of a vessel that he owned one- 
 
79 
 
 third of before I was twenty years old. His brother was master, 
 and I was offered the command of this vessel that I was mate of 
 before 1 was twenty-one. I did not accept it as the vessel was 
 bound to Mobile in hurricane months and a sickly season. But I 
 continued to go mate of her. I escaped tlie hurricane, but most 
 of us got sick; but we were not taken till after we had got to 
 sea. We got up toward Cape Fear, and had some assistance from 
 a pilot boat as so many of the crew were sick, and got into Wil- 
 mington. The Captain procured a sail loft for the men and took 
 me to a boarding house where I had a good nurse and medical 
 attendance. 
 
 When I joined the vessel again she was loaded for Boston. We 
 arrived in Boston, discharged our cargo, and came to Freeport. 
 After about four weeks I joined the same vessel, same captain 
 and sailors for Xew York. We were partly loaded for Appalachi- 
 cola when I was taken with chills and fever which commonly 
 occurs after having Southern fevers, and left and went home to 
 my father's. I didn't get rid of chills and fever till towards 
 spring. To show how little Northern doctors know, I was bled 
 till I was much reduced. 
 
 After feeling that I was sea- worthy again, I came to Portland. 
 Not any one owing vessels or employing Captains knew me, and 
 I had no one to refer to, and when I asked for a mate's situation, 
 the first question was "Do you know how to store molasses ?" 
 
 I had to answer "No," 
 
 It did not seem as though I could get a mate's situation. I 
 shipped aboard the brig Edward, before the mast, at nineteen 
 dollars a month. We went to a number of ports in the Windward 
 Islands. The Captain could not get the price he wanted for the 
 cargo. Aher touching at a number of places, we arrived in St. 
 Jago, Cuba. Captain sold the cargo here and then came the 
 hard work of discharging, which we did without hired help. The 
 mate was sick, — he was the Captain's brother. When we were all 
 ready to take in cargo, a lighter of molasses alongside, the Cap- 
 tain said to me, "Can you stow this cargo of molasses ?" 
 
 "I can if you will go down and show me how to commence, and 
 occasionallv come down and look at it." 
 
 He did go down and show me how to commence ; I do not re- 
 member that he ever came down afterwards. 
 
 We loaded a full cargo of molasses, sailed, and arrived at 
 Staten Island, New York. We were quarantined and discharged 
 molasses into lighters with our own crew. There was not a hogs- 
 head that had leaked out, which showed that it was well stowed, 
 although I had never stowed a hogshead of molasses before. 
 
80 
 
 With the cargo all discharged and ballast in, the vessel was 
 ready for sea. The mate was sent home on our first arrival. We 
 had got our breakfast forward, when the steward came and said 
 to me, "The Captain wants to see you.^^ I went into the cabin, he 
 was at the table, and said, 
 
 "Ben, sit down and take breakfast with me. I am going to 
 make a mate of you." 
 
 "I can't accept the situation." 
 
 He was somewhat surprised and wanted to know the reason. 
 I told him that as all the crew was going in the vessel they 
 woudn't feel right at my coming aft to be made mate. 
 
 "0," he said, "I'll fix that. Cook, go and tell them all to come 
 aft." 
 
 He and I went on deck and he said to them, "I am going to 
 take Ben for a mate. Which would you rather, — that I take him 
 or go and get a stranger that you know nothing about ?" 
 
 It was their unanimous choice to have me. The Captain said 
 to them, "He is now Mr. Webster. He is *^Ben' with you no 
 longer. Go and get your breakfast." Then turning to me, "Now 
 will you go down and take breakfast with me ?" 
 
 xA.fter we had our breakfast he gave me some instructions with 
 regard to work he wanted done, — securing the ballast, getting 
 vessel ready for sea, etc. 
 
 After the men had time to eat their breakfast, I walked for- 
 ward and said to them in a commanding voice, "Turn to." 
 
 I have often thought since what a change there was between 
 them and me, as I had been a companion with them and they 
 were now to receive instructions from me and to have to obey me ; 
 but it was done pleasantly. We went to a Southern port, and 
 loaded and sailed and arrived in Boston, then to Portland. All 
 hands left. The Captain and owner of the vessel came down on 
 board early one morning and the owner seemed interested in 
 looking about, and said to the Captain, "The vessel is looking 
 fine." 
 
 This pleased me as I had taken great pains to have everything 
 right and in order. The Captain said to me that day, 
 
 "My brother has always been with me, but left on account of 
 sickness. He is now well and wants the situation again." 
 
 I was very much disappointed but could not find fault with the 
 Captain. He said, "I'll get you a chance in a few days." 
 
 I think it was the third day that he wrote to me at Freeport to 
 come to Portland, as he had a situation for me. I went, and he 
 introduced me to Capt. ISTewton of the brig "Eodney" owned by 
 
81 
 
 Capt. Asa Clapp. This was a larger vessel and carried more men. 
 I agreed to go in this vessel, went home and got my clothing and 
 returned the next day to join the vessel. We lay tide-nipped 
 three days before we could get away from the wharf. In that 
 time I was told that this Capt. Newton was the hardest man to 
 sail with, out of Portland. I made three voyages with him, and I 
 think it didn't take me long to ascertain that I had been told 
 the truth. 
 
 To go back to the vessel that was dismasted and repaired in 
 New Orleans at a cost of $12,000. 
 
 The draft I was looking for to pay the bills came, and I had 
 the money. Soon all the bills for repairs came. I had written 
 the Captain to send me a bill for his wages and board for every 
 day the ship was repairing, which he did. I may state here that, 
 by the marine law, a vessel that is wrecked and arrives at the 
 port she is bound to, receives nothing for the victualling and 
 manning. But if into some other port to repair, the owners re- 
 cover full pay for wages and provisions. After these bills came 
 I made a rough calculation as to how much I would get from the 
 underwriters, and took all bills and went to Boston. I called on 
 General Tyler, average adjuster. I don't know as there was any 
 other marine adjuster in Boston at that time. Told him I had 
 the bills for an adjustment, asked if he could make it out at once, 
 which he agreed to do. I told him I wanted him to look over 
 the bills with me ; so I opened the package ancl took out one bill,, 
 handed it to him and asked, "Where does this go ?" 
 
 So I continued handing him bills, — sometimes he would say 
 "General average," other times "Partial loss," sometimes "To the 
 owners." I came to the bill that I had instructed the Captain ta 
 send to nxe for his expenses, amounting to a number of hundred 
 dollars, asking "Where does this go ?" 
 
 He replied, "Doesn't go anywheres. No business here." 
 
 I said, "I want it put in the adjustment, and I want it under 
 the head of general average." 
 
 He said "It doesn't belong there and I won't put it there." 
 
 I began to pick up the papers and made them into a package 
 as they were when I entered his office. He asked what I wa9 
 going to do, and I answered that I was going to have the bill of 
 the Captain's services put into the adjustment. He talked con- 
 siderable, telling it ought not to be put in and didn't b3long 
 there. All this I knew myself. Still I persisted that I was going 
 to have it in. At last he said, "Well I'll put it in, but it will 
 make the underwriters mad, and I won't present the adjustment 
 to them." 
 
82 
 
 I answered that I didn't want him to, but that I wanted him to 
 write me as soon as he had it done, to which he agreed ; I left. 
 
 I received a letter sooner than I expected that the adjustment 
 was ready. I went at once to his office and he gave it to me. On 
 looking it over I saw that he had put in the Captain's bill. He 
 had more talk that it ought not to be there, and I answered I'd 
 go and see them. I took it and all the bills and called on Colonel 
 Adams, to whom I have referred before. After some little pleasant 
 conversation I said, "1 have the adjustment, sir." 
 
 When I first entered the office he asked me to have a seat. 
 When I handed him the adjustment I moved my chair nearer 
 to his. He began reading it over, and turned over quite a number 
 of leaves. As he was going to turn over the next leaf, I put my 
 finger on it. He looked up, and I said, — "Colonel, I want to 
 talk a little before you turn that leaf." "Well, what is it ?" 
 
 "Do you remember the day I came in and said I had engaged 
 to have the sails made here, and that I was going to Xew York 
 to buy the rigging and send all out, because it would be so much 
 cheaper, and you approved of it, and that I asked if you had any 
 agents in New Orleans, and your reply you made ? Now you can 
 turn over the leaf, sir. I want to see if you are willing to pay 
 your agent." 
 
 He looked along and came to the charge for the Captain's 
 wages and board, and said, "0, yes, yes, I see. Well, let us 
 proceed." So he ^ent all through to the end; then hauled out 
 a drawer of his desk, and took up a memorandum book, and said, 
 ^'^Af ter you left here, when you were going to New York, I made 
 an estimate of our part of the loss, — here are my figures, — and 
 you have it over three hundred dollars less than my estimate. I 
 will allow the charge of the Captain." 
 
 I felt very much pleased, and said so, that everything was 
 under his estimate, but added, "I am in the situation of most 
 downeasters, short of money." 
 
 He called his cashier, and handed the adjustment to the cash- 
 ier, put his finger on the part his office was to pay, saying, "Draw 
 a check in favor of Mr. Webster for that whole amount." 
 
 This surprised me as the partial loss was not due for sixty 
 days. Of course I thanked him and told him it was more than I 
 expected. He had $10,000 insured on the vessel. He told me to 
 go to the Washington office which had $10,000, and tell them 
 about it, and show them the check I have' given you. They will 
 do the same. Then you go to the other two offices and they will 
 do the same. 
 
83 
 
 I did as he said, and got the four checks. Each of these offices 
 had $10,000 apiece. Then I took my adjustment and bills and 
 went to pay General Tyler for making the adjustment. 
 
 As I entered his office, I tried to look as sad as I could over the 
 pleasant feelings that I had, and said, 
 
 "Well, give me your bill, if you please." 
 
 "Well you found it just as I said, I suppose, and came back to 
 have the adjustment changed ?" 
 
 "No, there was no change asked for. The adjustment was all 
 satisfactory and they seemed pleased, and paid me"; and I 
 showed him my four checks. "What," he cried, "the partial loss 
 wasn't due for sixty days." 
 
 "I know that but they were so well pleased that they gave me 
 a check for the whole without discount." 
 
 In later years I became more acquainted with Gen. Tyler, and 
 found that he was a man often referred to in admiralty cases by 
 insurance companies and owners of vessels, and I have gone to 
 him myself for advice and assistance, as I knew he was well 
 versed in admiralty cases. He made up a number of adjustments 
 for me later. 
 
 This vessel made two Atlantic voyages, then sailed from Liver- 
 pool for Calcutta, chartered out and home for six pounds per ton. 
 
 Near the longtitude of Cape of Good Hope, the Captain died, 
 and the mate took her to Calcutta, then to London, then a voyage 
 into the Pacific ; he loaded with guano at the Chincha Islands for 
 London. The Captain becoming very expensive, I ordered him 
 to take the best freight he could get in London or the east coast 
 of England and come to the United States. This was in 1857, 
 before there were any cables across the Atlantic. He chartered 
 the vessel in London for Calcutta, saying that he did it before 
 receiving my instructions. 
 
 The ship had been two long voyages and was not fit to go an- 
 other without remetalling. He had a typhoon in the Bay of 
 Bengal ; the ship arrived in Calcutta leaking badl}^, and had to 
 be recalked and remetalled. He wrote to me for a letter of credit 
 for three thousand pounds. I did not dare to send it to him, as 
 his conduct was very unsatisfactory. I procured the letter of 
 credit from Messrs. Baring Brothers & Company and sent to 
 their agent, Mr. Gibson, in Calcutta giving him power to manage 
 the ship's business in Calcutta, and charter her home to the 
 L^nited States, or England. 
 
 On the receipt of the instructions and credit they sent for the 
 Captain. He came and they told him of the power and credit 
 invested in themselves, and instructed him to send all bills to 
 
84 
 
 them to be paid. Also that they would charter the ship in a few 
 days, according to the owner's instructions. 
 
 Not hearing from him for three days they sent for him. He in 
 the meantime, had chartered the ship and she was loading for 
 Sydney, N. S. W. He got most of his freight in advance, paid 
 thiit towards disbursing the ship, and made an agreement that 
 he would return to Calcutta from Sydney and give the consign- 
 ment of the ship to those parties so that they would get their pay. 
 
 -Instead of doing as he had agreed he loaded for Hong Kong. 
 When he was about to leave Hong Kong, he wrote me he couldn't 
 get any freight for Calcutta and he had chartered for Hong 
 Kong. He wrote the Calcutta merchant that he should come from 
 Hong Kong to Calcutta in ballast. By his doing so, they would 
 get a freight for the ship and earn their commission. Instead of 
 doing as he had written me and them, he loaded in Hong Kong 
 for Sydney, N. S. W. There were no cables in those days nor 
 mail steamers on the Pacific or Indian Ocean. 
 
 When he was loaded and ready to leave Hong Kong for Sydney, 
 N. S. W., again he wrote he should get a cargo of horses and re- 
 turn to Calcutta. I had no confidence in the man's promises, so 
 sent powers of attorney to different ports, — Calcutta, Hong 
 Kong, and Valparaiso, Chili. After he arrived at Hong Kong 
 and discharged and loaded for Valparaiso, Chili, he wrote me 
 that he couldn't get any freight for Calcutta, and there was 
 nothing else to be had but this freight for Valparaiso. He ar- 
 rived in Valparaiso. The house of Alsop & Co. there, a rich and 
 responsible house, showed him the power of attorney they held, 
 saying, "Now, you must work under our instructions; send all 
 bills to us, and later we will see what can be done in chartering 
 for the United States." 
 
 The house of Alsop & Co. had full power to remove him, or if 
 they thought it was for our interest, to let him take the ship to 
 the States. I will state here that he remitted me nothing from 
 Sydney to Hong Kong, nothing from Hong Kong to Sydney, and 
 drew most of his freight in advance from Sydney to Valparaiso ; 
 remitting me nothing. 
 
 After she was discharged the house of Alsop & Co. loaded her 
 themselves at a port north of Valparaiso with copper ore for 
 Baltimore. x4.s the Captain had drawn about all the freight in 
 Sydney, there was no money there belonging to the ship. Alsop 
 & Co. disbursed her at Valparaiso, and at their branch house at 
 her loading port, so the Captain had not any use for money to 
 pay out anything on the ship. But still, at his loading port, he 
 drew on me for $2,700. This was partly used up in having balls 
 
85 
 
 and high times on board ship. Perhaps part of it he kept for 
 himself, as she was bound for Baltimore, and he knew me well 
 enough to know there would be a day of reckoning there. 
 
 Long before it was time for her to arrive in Baltimore, I had 
 made arrangements with the house of Jackson, Clarage & Co. 
 to telegraph me as soon as they heard of her arrival inside the 
 cape, and as soon as she arrived, to put a trusty watchman on 
 board, giving him strict instructions not to allow anything to go 
 out of the ship. 
 
CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 HELIOS' ARRIVAL IN BALTIMORE ; CAPT. CARTNEY DIS- 
 CHARGED ; I TOOK COMMAND ; A SHORT VISIT HOME. 
 
 As soon as I heard of her arrival I started for Baltimore, arriv- 
 ing in the night. As soon as Jackson, Clarage & Co.'s office was 
 open in the morning, I was there. They said she got up in the 
 afternoon and was entered at the Custom House, and that the 
 Captain was going to pay off his men at their office at ten A. M. 
 
 I said to Mr. Loud, "I will go up to the hotel and I want you 
 to come up so we can be at the Custom House as soon as it is 
 open, to introduce me to the collector." He did so, and we were 
 at the Custom House at nine A. M., and I was introduced to the 
 collector as owner of the ship Helios. 
 
 I asked the collector to let me see the register. He handed it 
 to me, and I opened it and showed him my name as managing 
 owner, and said, "I want to be made Captain and have a certifi- 
 cate made out to that effect and attached to the register." 
 
 It was all done and the register put away. Then we went to 
 the office of Jackson, Clarage & Co. The Captain was there, and 
 appeared to be very glad to see me, little thinking that I was Cap- 
 tain. I state here that this Capt. Cartney was with me as mate 
 in the ship Pumgustuck, and with Capt. Pratt, mate in the same 
 ship, and left the Pumgustuck at sea when Capt. Pratt did. Cap- 
 tain Cartney was an A 1 mate but when he became Captain he 
 was too smart for me, getting ahead of me in every port. The 
 reason for his so doing was that I couldn't reach him. 
 
 Soon the men came and he had their accounts made out. Mr. 
 Loud acted as secretary, paid over the money to the men. Two 
 of them said there was more money due them than was showed 
 on the Captain's account. Captain said, "Stand one side and 
 call the next." 
 
 As these men were paid off and seated on the settee with the 
 two who were not willing to settle with Captain's account, I 
 carefully scrutinized their faces. Two of them I sat down by, and 
 told them I was the owner and asked where they joined the ship 
 and where they boarded, saying that probably I should want to 
 see them, and asking them to remain in the house and come to see 
 me if sent for the next day, to which they agreed. 
 
 When all men were paid off, — officers, cook and steward, 
 amounting to seventeen, I said to Capt. Cartney, — 
 
87 
 
 "You have paid off all your crew, officers and men. I have no 
 more use for you, as I am Captain of the Helios, as well as owner. 
 I am going to make you three propositions and you may take 
 your choice : you name the smallest sum you will take and sign 
 a receipt releasing all claims against ship Helios and her owners." 
 
 He named the amount and I told him I shouldn't accept his 
 proposition. "Then," I said, "you can choose one of the referees, 
 and I will choose another, and we will sign an agreement to abide 
 by their decision. If you don't do this you can take your chances 
 legally." 
 
 By this time he began to look very different from what he did 
 when he first met me, and he chose as his referee, one Bailey, a 
 ship-chandler and grocer. I told him I would let him know very 
 soon where my man was and when we could meet. I took Mr. 
 Loud one side and said, — 
 
 "I don't know a man in Baltimore that I should want on this 
 case." 
 
 He said, "I know the right man, — Mr. Gongin from N'ew 
 York. He is a man who is well posted in all vessel business and 
 has a ship here now, I will see if I can find him." 
 
 He went and soon returned with him. I told Mr. Gongin 
 what I wanted. He said, "I would like to accommodate you if 
 we can get through before 11 o'clock to-night, as I want to leave 
 then for New York." 
 
 I said, "If we can get to work on it immediately after dinner, 
 you can tell by 8 or 9 o'clock whether you will be likely to get 
 through or not. I would very much like for you to commence it." 
 
 Captain Cartney was notified to come with his referee at 2 
 P. M. to a private counting-room over Mr. Jackson's office. He 
 came and Mr. Gongin was there and we began. Mr. Loud was 
 secretary. 
 
 We worked along till about 9 o'clock and Mr. Gongin said, "I 
 have got into this, and it is interesting to me, and I want to see 
 the end. I am satisfied we cannot get -through in time for the 
 New York train, and I will stop over." 
 
 We adjourned till the next morning at 9 o'clock. 
 
 I sent out for oysters, coffee, etc., and we had a midnight 
 supper. 
 
 We began the next morning, and as we went along in the fore- 
 noon, I sent a boy for those two sailors. They came and Capt. 
 Cartney said, "Are you going to use those two men against me ?" 
 I said "Yes." He well knew that he was in a tight place, and 
 said, "I didn't think that of you." 
 
88 
 
 I examined the men myself, as to the time they came on board 
 the ship and up to the time they were discharged. In many 
 cases they showed the Captain's dishonesty. We went on with the 
 case till about 4 P. M., then left the case with the referees, and 
 departed, leaving them and the secretary. As I went down stairs 
 I met my friend Louis Walsh from New York. We had been 
 business friends from my first going to New York as master. He 
 knew how Cartney had treated me, and knew the ship was in 
 Baltimore, and had stopped over on his way from Washington to 
 New York to see me. 
 
 Just at that time the secretary came down and went to the 
 oiBce after paper. On his return he whispered to me "You have 
 got your case." My friend Mr. Walsh said, "They will bring in 
 for you to pay him something so as to get him to sign the receipt. 
 Do be particular that the receipt is right." 
 
 I had all confidence in Mr. Walsh, and knew he was thoroughly 
 acquainted with all vessel business. I said, "Come in and write 
 the receipt for me." 
 
 He did, leaving a blank for the amount to be decided. I said, 
 
 "Ijet the secretary copy this off and fill in the amount." Then 
 he left for New York, 
 
 We had the decision that night and the very small amount was 
 paid over and the receipt signed. So ends my business acquaint- 
 ance with Capt. Cartney after being cheated out of a good many 
 thousand dollars. 
 
 When I received the draft he drew on me from Chili for $2,700, 
 I did not have that amount of money. Mr. Baker who owned 
 most half of the ship had died and the draft came to me. I re- 
 quested the man to whom the draft came for collection to let it 
 lay till the next day without protest, and he did. 
 
 I saw him and said I was going to New York in the morning 
 and would call and see those people who sent the draft to him, 
 and I wanted him to send it back without expense, which he 
 said he would do. 
 
 The next morning I was in New York in Mr. Walsh's counting- 
 room when he came in. He asked where the ship Helios was, 
 how much freight she had, etc. I told him I had another draft 
 from the Captain of $2,700 payable in ten days, that I had not 
 the money to pay it, and as Mr. Baker was dead, I had to look 
 out for the whole thing myself. 
 
 "I have friends who will help me get this money from the 
 banks, but when it becomes due I can't meet it, for the ship won't 
 be home, and I have come on here to see you, to see what you 
 will do." 
 
89 
 
 a 
 
 ii^ 
 
 ay 
 
 ii^ 
 
 "I'll let you have the money/' he said. 
 
 "At what terms ?" 
 
 'At the regular interest." 
 
 'Will you charge me for advancing ?" 
 
 "No." 
 
 'What security do you want ?" 
 
 'We'll charge it to you on our books and you may go home." 
 
 The Helios was loaded with copper ore. On account of the 
 Civil war it was not possible to get any coal from Virginia for 
 the smelting works, and they paid me a good freight on the cop- 
 per to take it to Liverpool. This was a very good thing for the 
 ship, as we did not have to discharge her or load her, saving ex- 
 pense of some eight hundred to one thousand dollars. 
 
 I telegraphed to my wife in Yarmouth that I should be home 
 to spend but one night, as I was going to Liverpool, and if she 
 would like to go she must get ready. I arrived home at 2 P. M. 
 She had not received the telegram as the wires were cut. She at 
 once said she would be ready for the train at seven the next 
 morning. I had much business to do, so put all my business 
 into the hands of an attorney. We didn't want any one to know 
 it, fearing that our time for getting ready would be taken up by 
 callers. But our little boy George who was given to us when 
 three years old by my wife's widowed sister, ran out and told the 
 other boys "We are all going away to Liverpool in the morning," 
 and the whole evening was taken up with callers. 
 
 I had called on B. Freeman, Esq., and requested him to come 
 to my house at ten o'clock P. M., as I was going away and wanted 
 to make him my attorney. He came, but there were so many 
 others, we could not get to business before eleven. I had many 
 things to explain to him, as I was agent for two ships and had 
 other business. Probably we finished and he left between twelve 
 and one. 
 
 We finished our packing and retired for a short nap. Were 
 up early and had breakfast. The team came, and we left with 
 the table set and fire burning in the dining-room. We arrived 
 in Baltimore and were ready for sea in a. lew days. 
 
 On going down the Chesapeake Bay found all the buoys on the 
 different shoals removed by the rebels, but succeeded in getting 
 out without trouble from any source. In nineteen days we ar- 
 rived in Liverpool. I discharged the cargo of copper ore, re- 
 mitted the money and paid up my friend Mr. Walsh, and loaded 
 with salt for Wyborg in Finland. I arrived, discharged and 
 loaded deals for Bordeaux in France. Arrived there, I chartered 
 for San Francisco. 
 
90 
 
 A new consul had been sent to Bordeaux from the United 
 States about the time I arrived, and as he was a stranger in a 
 strange country I invited him and his wife on board to dine, and 
 made quite extensive preparations for them, — flags flying in 
 honor of him, etc. I had a good cook, and a good stewardess 
 The stewardess was well dressed for one in her position. 
 
 Before we finished dinner I noticed the consul eyeing her 
 sharply at odd times. But a few days after this, my stewardess 
 was missing, and I heard she was living with the U. S. Consul. I 
 called one morning at the consul's office for letters, and he was in 
 his private office. He called me in, and handed me two orders, 
 saying, "I would like for you to pay them." 
 
 I returned them and said I should not. He replied "Your 
 ship shan't leave port till you do it." 
 
 I said "I will not do it, and I think the U. S. Consul demeans 
 himself very much in undertaking to collect bills that the sailors 
 owe that girl." 
 
 I left, he angry, and I not pleasant. When I went to the office 
 it was only for letters. 
 
 About this time the chief mate had deserted from the vessel. 
 Some four days later I received a letter from the consul to appear 
 before him the next day at ten A. M. 
 
 My wife felt very unhappy when I received this letter, fearing 
 that I might say something in anger. I told her she need not 
 be alarmed, for I had had a night to think of it. Next morning 
 I went to my broker's office, and one Captain Crosby, master of 
 a big ship belonging to Thomaston, was there. 
 
 I said "I have a summons to appear before the consul at ten 
 o'clock and I would like for you to go with me." 
 
 "I'll go with pleasure," he said. 
 
 As I entered the consul's private office, I saw this deserter 
 sitting in the corner, and the consul at the table reading from a 
 large book. I seated myself by the table, and took out my watch, 
 and said, 
 
 "Mr. Davidson, I had a summons from you to appear before 
 ten o'clock this morning. The time has arrived and I am here." 
 
 He said to Capt. Crosby, "I have some private business with 
 Capt. Webster, perhaps you had better retire." 
 
 I said "I invited him to come and I want him present." 
 
 The consul said "I presume you know the law regarding 
 sailors." 
 
 I answered "No, I have never studied law." 
 
 He read from the book a few lines. 
 
 I said "You needn't read any further, sir, I'll tell you what 
 
91 
 
 comes next; if a man deserts from a vessel, the Captain is to 
 point him out to the U. S. Consul, and he is to arrest him and 
 put him on board/' I turned to the deserter and said, 
 
 "This man has deserted from my ship. I have shown him to 
 you, and done my duty ; you put him on board my ship again and 
 do your duty/' 
 
 He looked very much surprised, and said "Are you going to 
 take him on board and reinstate him as chief mate, or will you 
 disrate him?'' 
 
 "I shan't answer you that question, but I'll assure you, he'll 
 earn his money, and on our return to the United States, if he 
 enters a complaint, I shall have to answer to our government/' 
 
 He turned to Captain Crosby and asked, "Can he disrate 
 him ?" 
 
 Capt. Crosby's reply was, "He is master of his own ship/' 
 
 Then the consul said, "I think you better fix it up between 
 you/' 
 
 "I have nothing to fix up; he has deserted from my ship; I 
 have shown him to you and done my duty. You do your duty, 
 and put him on board. If this is all you summoned me for, I 
 will leave." 
 
 Capt. Crosby and I left the office with' him and the deserter. 
 
 I used to hear from the consul quite often, — the threats he 
 made, and that my ship shouldn't leave port. One morning 
 one Capt. Chandler belonging to Yarmouth, who had sailed with 
 me years past as second mate and then chief mate, and was now 
 commanding a fine vessel in port, came from the consul's office 
 to me and said : 
 
 "I wish you would go and pay him those two bills, for I am 
 satisfied he will get you into trouble if he can." 
 
 I said, "Then you think I better do it ?" 
 
 "I think that will be the easiest way out of it." 
 
 I replied, "I shall not do it." 
 
 There was another American Captain in port. Captain Blanch- 
 ard from the eastern part of our state. As he and the U. S. 
 Consul agreed in politics, he was much with him. 
 
 One morning he came to me and said, "The TJ. S. Consul and 
 I have disagreed. He is continually abusing and threatening 
 you, so much so that I could stand it no longer, and have told him 
 how ungentlemanly it is to abuse and threaten a man behind 
 his back." 
 
 From this time I always considered Capt. Blanchard a strong 
 friend of mine, and he and his wife have come up from Eastern 
 Maine to make me a visit in Portland for days. 
 
92 
 
 About this time I saw the stewardess the consul had taken from 
 me in a clothing store. I didn't feel right towards her for the 
 way she left my ship. She had told my wife or some one else 
 that she couldn't stand the consul's conduct and left him. Soon 
 afterwards she took pains to see me and said, "You will be in 
 want of men soon. I can get them for you," and she did procure 
 me a whole crew. 
 
CHAPTER XV. 
 
 LEAVE BORDEAUX FOR SAN FRANCISCO. 
 
 My ship was loaded, my business done, and I cleared from the 
 Custom House. I went to the consul's for the vessel's register. 
 It was handed to me without any allusion to the past, and the 
 last I have heard of this U. S. Consul was through my friend 
 Capt. Blanchard, who had seen him drunk on a cotton bale on 
 the levee at New Orleans. So he must have been reduced low. 
 
 I will tell here an anecdote about George. When I was in 
 Liverpool he was very anxious for a pistol and I bought him a 
 six shooter. He was about sixteen. We went to Wyborg and 
 Bordeaux. One Sunday at Bordeaux, all the men had liberty to 
 go on shore, and both mates also, which I was unwise to allow. 
 In the first of the evening the men all returned, probably some 
 of them more or less drunk. They went to the galley for their 
 supper. I heard loud talk and opened the cabin door. It was 
 so dark I could not see but one man whose voice I knew well ; I 
 called him by name and said, "Come this way." As I stood in 
 th entry way, he came along, not .thinking what I wanted. I 
 put my hand on him and he came inside. Being lighted the men 
 could see. I heard one of them say, "Now let's go and tear the 
 old man's house down." 
 
 I ushered the sailor into the cabin and told him to sit down 
 and not to attempt to come out. Mrs. Webster was sitting there, 
 cool and collected as she always was in any case where one would 
 usually be excited. I left the cabin, shutting the door, and just 
 at that time there was the whole crew, some twelve or fourteen, 
 before me. 
 
 They said, "Let that man out !" 
 
 "No, you can't have that man. Go forward !" 
 
 Just at that moment George jumped from the poop to my side, 
 revolver in hand, and said, "Father, I am good for six of them." 
 
 The men left and went for their supper. Order was restored, 
 and I returned to the cabin to see the situation of my guest. 
 
 Mrs. Webster and he sat there, cool, and apparently satisfied, 
 Mrs. Webster with her guest, he with his hostess. 
 
 It was a custom of mine, the latter part of my commanding 
 ship, when I had to deal with a saucy or unruly sailor to take 
 him into the cabin. If bad weather to shut him up with Mrs. 
 
94 
 
 Webster. After being there a reasonable time I never knew a 
 case but that the man promised good fashions and went off seem- 
 ingly pleased. 
 
 While I was loading, certain parties applied for a passage for 
 six, and if I took them I would have a very good rate for their 
 passage, and would get ninety tons of cargo. They were two 
 women, two girls, and two men. 
 
 Not having sufficient accommodations for them I concluded to 
 dispense with a second mate and use his room for them, thinking 
 that with the carpenter, whom I liked, and George and myself, 
 between us three, we could do the duty of second mate. 
 
 I had a chief mate who was previously second mate on a 
 Thomaston ship, highly recommended by his Captain. All things 
 went on pleasantly until I got into bad weather south of the La 
 Plata river, then I began to discover signs of insanity in the mate. 
 The more bad weather we had the greater the insanity. Some- 
 times it was so bad he was locked in his room. He did no duty 
 at all. 
 
 One morning the steward said to me "Mr. Connor, the mate, 
 says he is going on shore, and he has his things all out on deck 
 packing.'' 
 
 I said, "Don't you speak to him nor take any notice of him 
 whatever." Perhaps in two or three hours he put his things all 
 back in his room, went in himself, and was quiet. 
 
 I will relate one circumstance off the Cape. It is always ex- 
 pected to find more or less stormy weather and heavy gales in 
 going around Cape Horn, so before we get there we change our 
 sails, — take off the poor ones, and put on the newest and strongest 
 canvas we have. One afternoon it was blowing a gale of wind 
 from the west with heavy rolling Cape Horn seas. The ship was 
 under three close reefed topsails, reefed canvas, Jib and spanker. 
 The gale increased very suddenly and came with a heavy squall 
 accompanied by heavy snow. It was evident we must get sail off 
 the ship or we should lose it and perhaps some of the spars. So 
 first we hauled up the reefed mainsail, that was quite snug as 
 we had extra spilling lines around it, which are lines to haul 
 snug to the yard to keep the wind out of it so it shall not blow 
 away before it can be furled. ISText we clewed up the foretopsail, 
 and then it was necessary to get the inner jib in. 
 
 I was with the men encouraging them, but it seemed almost as 
 if the spars would be blown out of the ship. In getting the inner 
 jib in I had hold of the down-haul with the men. A heavy sea 
 came along over the ship's bow. I think she plunged into it. 
 
95 
 
 with her bow wholly under water. We held on the down-haul ; if 
 we hadn't had hold of that or some other strong rope, we should 
 all have been washed away. 
 
 Then I sent them up to furl the foretopsail, fearing it might 
 blow away, although it was hauled up snug with spilling lines. 
 The men were all on the yard for some time making no progress 
 towards furling the sail. It blew so hard I couldn't make them 
 hear, so I sent the steward up to tell them all to come down. I 
 went into the cabin and returned with a glass and a bottle of 
 good brandy. I told the steward to call the men all aft. There 
 was one man older than the rest, a good sailor and a valuable man 
 to me in the situation I was in, — without officers. As I handed 
 him the glass with the brandy in it, he swallowed it, passed back 
 the glass, and said, "Captain, that topsail must be saved." 
 
 "Then go and do it, and be quick." 
 
 It was astonishing how quickly that sail was furled. Perhaps 
 that new topsail was saved by one bottle of brandy. I will men- 
 tion here that there was no Maine law off Cape Horn. 
 
 Then the next sail was the mainsail that was hauled up snug, 
 all blown away, and not enough left to furl. The gale still con- 
 tinued, and the ship was under a close reefed maintopsail and 
 reefed foresail. She plunged into these heavy seas as if strug- 
 gling for life. This was the eleventh of June, 1862. 
 
 The next day it moderated some, and we bent another main- 
 sail. We turned one reef out of the topsail, striving to do all we 
 could not be driven eastward. The parrel (this is what confines 
 the yard to the topmast, and slips up and down on the topmast, 
 as the yard is hoisted up and lowered down) of the maintopsail 
 yard was carried away. To repair this temporarily so as to set 
 the maintopsail again would be a difficult job in a com^mon gale 
 of wind, but now when blowing almost a tornado, with snow, it 
 was almost impossible ; but it had to be done, and as always with 
 me, there was no such word as "can't" on shipboard. 
 
 It took some time and I was there during the most of it with 
 the sailor who had said the topsail must be saved, and we fixed it, 
 and' set a close reefed topsail before noon. It was repaired so 
 well that it lasted us to San Francisco. 
 
 Soon after there was a change in wind and weather, and we 
 got far enough west to get around the Cape. The breezes were 
 strong so we made the north fast. We soon got into good weather 
 and began to think about having the ship look nice to enter port. 
 The mate did not improve at all, so I selected four men, and 
 made one captain of the bowsprit, one of the foremast, one of the 
 
96 
 
 mainmast, and one of the mizzenmast. The ratlines on all the 
 shrouds were renewed and everything else done to rigging above 
 the rail that was necessary. 
 
 As we went further north into fine weather, everything was 
 repainted on the deck, — houses, bulwarks, etc., decks thoroughly 
 holystoned and oiled. The outside was rubbed over with lamp- 
 black and oil, so she looked like new. For about the three 
 years I was in the ship we never used a paint brush on the out- 
 side for the black. We would put a very little lampblack into 
 oil, take a wad of oakum and rub it over and make it look bright 
 as new. Paint used this way would never get on body enough 
 to blister. 
 
 While this performance w^as going on, a stage was over the side, 
 and two men had been rubbing with wads of oakum. I looked 
 over to see how they were getting along. One stopped and 
 looked at his hands, as black as a negro's, and said to his com- 
 panion, 
 
 "Tom, I hope the next ship you and I get aboard of they won't 
 be so damned poor but that they can find us a paint brush." 
 
 Perhaps he never knew that I heard his remark. 
 
 Everything went on pleasantly and all seemed interested to 
 have the ship look nice. We arrived in San Francisco with an 
 appearance that was to my entire satisfaction, and 1 think every 
 sailor felt proud of the ship. It was not an uncommon thing 
 for the crew, after being discharged, to come down with other 
 sailors to look at the vessel. 
 
 One Sunday morning when everything was quiet, two sailors 
 were walking on the wharf and stopped to look the ship over. 
 One said, "This is the ship that came in without any mates." 
 
 We discharged our cargo, collected the freight amounting to 
 about fifteen thousand dollars in gold. Gold then was worth 
 over two hundred per cent, making this freight over thirty thous- 
 and dollars. We loaded for Melbourne with grain, flour and oats. 
 
 This freight was procured through a ship broker. I had never 
 seen the shipper till the ship was loaded and in the stream. It 
 was a very busy day with me, getting business finished ; I called 
 at the shipper's office and asked if bills of lading were ready for 
 ship Helios. I was asked into the private office of the shipper, 
 and he said, 
 
 "Are you Captain of ship Helios ?" 
 
 I replied "I am." 
 
 He said, "Here I have chartered a ship, she is loaded and in the 
 stream and I have never seen the Captain. I have been wonder- 
 ing what he looked like." 
 
97 
 
 I said, "He's before you, you can take a look at him, but don't 
 look long for I am in a great hurry. Are the bills of lading 
 ready ?" 
 
 He said, "When are you going to sea ?" 
 
 I answered "This P. M. if you give me $50 to pay the tug- 
 boat." 
 
 He said, "I will." 
 
 I signed bills of lading, and took mine and the fifty dollars 
 and left well pleased. In forty-two days I was in Melbourne, 
 although the ship was loaded deep to within twenty-one feet of 
 water. It was a very good passage, and the Yankee ship that 
 came from San Francisco to Melbourne in forty-three days re- 
 ceived a great many puffs in the papers. 
 
 I discharged, collected the freight and remitted from this 
 freight fourteen thousand three hundred dollars; seventy-three, 
 days from the time I chartered in San Francisco, I had collected 
 the freight and remitted. I then engaged to take passengers for 
 Hong Kong, fifteen dollars a head, everything found except wood 
 and water, berths were to be put up between decks, and a galley 
 or kitchen on deck. 
 
 When I loaded in San Francisco, the ship had to be sealed up 
 with lumber so as to keep the dry cargo from being damaged. To 
 do this, I bought good lumber and used it without cutting for 
 sealing. I made a bargain with a man to fit the ship for passen- 
 gers in Melbourne, put up all the berths, arrange for cooking, 
 furnish all the water casks, and fit the ship in every way so she 
 would pass survey, — all for a fixed amount. He was to give me 
 so much a thousand feet for all my lumber. Eemember that 
 this lumsber had already accomplished its purpose in sealing the 
 ship. When I came to settle with the man who had fitted the ship 
 in Melbourne, he owed me quite a small amount. I had my com- 
 plement of Chinese passengers and sailed for Hong Kong. I 
 got up where I ought to have strong southeast trades and the 
 vessel should have been making two hundred forty miles a day 
 but we lay for days almost becalmed with light* baffling winds and 
 made but little distance. One pleasant morning when I came up 
 with very light airs, only enough for the ship to have steerage 
 way, one of the 'tween deck passengers came aft with an inter- 
 preter and asked the privilege to come aft to say "Joss" for a 
 fair wind. I asked how many would take part in the ceremony 
 and he said three. 
 
 The reason for my question wa^^that passengers that are cla.ssed 
 as 'tween deck passengers are not allowed aft, but the one who 
 had come and made the request had been pointed out to me as a 
 
98 
 
 rich man, and from what I had seen of his dress and appearance, 
 he seemed far above the class of passengers he was with. Aftei 
 his request was granted, I went to the cabin and told Mrs. Web- 
 ster what was to be done, and wanted her to come up. In a very 
 short time the three came, spread their white cloth on deck, and 
 put a cooked chicken, bottle of wine, and abundance of joss-papei 
 upon it. The three knelt down over their offering, saying some- 
 thing in their language and often bowing their heads to the deck. 
 
 After rising they cut the chicken into portions. All three 
 stood up, saying something in their language, a piece of the 
 chicken was thrown into the sea, and they beckoned with their 
 hands in the direction from which they wished' the wind to blow. 
 Then they handed Mrs. Webster and myself a piece of the chicken. 
 Then they poured the wine into glasses, knelt again, and repeated 
 something, bowing to the deck. When through with their prayer 
 they poured the contents of one glass of wine over the ship's stern 
 praying and becj^oning as before. They then handed Mrs. Web- 
 ster and myself some of the wine, then lighted large bunches of 
 the joss-paper, making quite a torch, and then threw it over the 
 ship's stern, praying and beckoning as before. 
 
 This was continued until all the joss-paper was burned. Then 
 they gathered up the fragments and the white cloth, shook hands 
 with Mrs. Webster and myself, — thanking me through the in- 
 terpreter for the privilege I had allowed, — and went away 
 pleased. ^ 
 
 Strange as it may seem, before twelve o'clock at noon, the ship 
 was going some eight or ten miles an hour with a fine fair wind. 
 Doubtless the Chinamen thought their saying Joss had brought 
 the wind. 
 
 Everything continued pleasant. 
 
 I had quite a number of hogs and sheep on board and used tc 
 have a butchering day once a week. The meat was generally all 
 spoken for before butchering day by the Chinamen, and the 
 steward took the names of all who applied and the amounts 
 asked for. Butchering day there was a regular meat stall arranged. 
 The steward took his book and called the first name, and 
 when the man appeared the steward weighed out the amount 
 engaged, gave it to him and took his money ; and so through the 
 list of applicants. There was a portion reserved for ourselves 
 and the balance, if any, was quickly applied for by the passengers. 
 So things went on until we arrived in Hong Kong. 
 
CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 ARRIVAL AT HONG KONG. 
 
 We came to anchor outside the fleet in the harbor of Hong 
 Kong one night about eleven o'clock. A Chinaman came to me 
 with an interpreter stating that three wanted to go ashore to get 
 things, as they wanted to say Joss for good luck to the ship before 
 thev left her. 
 
 In the morning we were warping the ship up in amongst the 
 others when Captain Colby, master of ship Washington, came 
 on board and offered to go with me and show me the parties to 
 whom I had letters of introduction. I told the mate of the ship 
 the Chinamen would say Joss, and for him not to interfere with 
 them but let them have a good time, but to be sure and keep a 
 sharp look-out while the paper was burning that nothing took 
 fire. 
 
 I went on shore, and called on two parties to whom I had let- 
 ters of introduction. At the third place, the counting-room was 
 up stairs, and there were doors leading out on the verandas. 
 Captain Colby and others were sitting out there, while I was in- 
 side with the head man of the house, to whom I had delivered my 
 letter. Captain Colby called out, "Webster, your ship is on fire.'* 
 
 As I went on to the piazza she was so completely covered with 
 smoke that only part of the hull was discernible, and I surely 
 thought Colby was right. I was so completely surprised that my 
 strength left me and I sank on a settee. One of the clerks came 
 with water and as I revived the Chinese clerk said in good En- 
 glish, 
 
 "Your ship is not on fire. The Chinamen are saying Joss. 
 She will be chartered before night." 
 
 I have no doubt Captain Colby concluded he was carrying a 
 joke too far; but my ship was chartered before I left the office, 
 for twelve thousand dollars in gold for San Francisco. The 
 cargo was in the lower hold, and Chinese passengers between 
 decks. The Chinese found everything. 
 
 As my ship was all fitted for passengers, I rented out all thd 
 water-casks, berths, and other fittings, which paid me a great 
 deal more than I paid for my lumber in San Francisco. 
 
 As I was chartered by the lump sum I didn't want to have an 
 excess of passengers, as there was a large fine for every one over 
 
100 
 
 the number the ship was entitled to carry. Every one is entitled 
 to fourteen superficial feet of the deck. They have a surveyor to 
 measure the ships to see how many passengers can be taken. As 
 my ship was chartered by the lump sum they wanted to put in all 
 they could. 
 
 I called on the surveyor and told him I would like to be on 
 board when he came to measure the ship, and he answered it 
 would make no diffenence whether I was there or not. But he 
 did agree to let me know. A few days afterwards, I had been on 
 shore, and on returning to the ship was informed that the sur- 
 veyor had been on board and measured for passengers, and gave 
 me a piece of paper which contained the surveyor's estimate. At 
 a glance I saw that he had largely overestimated the number al- 
 lowed by American law. 
 
 The surveyor handed his certificate in to the merchant and 
 when I went to the charterer's office the certificate was handed 
 me. 
 
 I looked at it and told the merchant there was a mistake, that 
 she did not have room for that number of passengers and I would 
 have her measured over again. 
 
 I went to the surveyor and told him I was surprised that he 
 had not given notice of his intended visit, and he replied again 
 "0, that will make no difference." 
 
 I said, "There is a mistake, sir, and I want you to measure 
 again; I know the vessel has not as many superficial feet in her 
 deck as you have given, and if you will go on board and show me 
 how you get it I will pay you your fee for measuring a second 
 time. If you can't show me, I shan't expect you to charge me 
 anything." 
 
 "0," he said, "there's no mistake. It's an every day occur- 
 rence with me to measure ships, and it's all right." 
 
 I said it was not, and that if he would not go again, I should 
 protest against his measurement. I think that he began to see 
 that I was in earnest, and agreed to come the next day. 
 
 I received him politely, but soon saw that he was out of sorts. 
 We went between decks, he with his man to hold the tape, and I 
 with my mate and paper for memorandum. He took the length 
 over the top of the breast-hooks about four feet from deck. 
 
 I said, "The American law says the deck, and you are taking 
 the length some three feet longer than the deck." 
 
 He replied, "This is my way." 
 
 I said to the mate, "Put down that length and write under it, 
 'iess three feet.' " 
 
 Then he took the width on top of the lock-streak. I said. 
 
101 
 
 "You are getting one and a half feet more width than the deck; 
 gives." 
 
 He replied as before, and prepared to leave. 
 
 "Look here/' I said, "you haven't taken out for the masts, nor 
 pump well, nor chain locker." 
 
 "0, 1 never do anything for that." 
 
 I replied "The United States law does, and it has to be done 
 in this case." 
 
 He seemed very cross and ungentlemanly all this time. I in- 
 vited him into the cabin, introduced him to Mrs. Webster, and 
 called the steward for cakes and wine. As he drank wine and 
 talked with Mrs. Webster he seemed to become more genial. I 
 said, 
 
 "Now let's figure up. I'll take your dimensions first, mine 
 afterward." 
 
 I figured up by his dividing by fourteen and figured the num- 
 ber of passengers. After some time he ended his work and 
 asked how much I made of it. 
 
 "Haven't you got her figured out yet?" 
 
 "No, but let me look at yours." 
 
 He looked it over, and said "Why you are right. I'll have 
 another certificate made out, and take the other one away." 
 
 After a few days I called at the merchant's to see the new 
 certificate. If changed, it was precisely like the other. I said 
 to the merchant, "It is not right, and I cannot take that number 
 of passengers. You and I will go aboard and measure the ship 
 and you will be satisfied yourself." 
 
 He said, "There must be some arrangement for them to go, 
 for they are in families and cannot be separated." 
 
 He and I went to the ship. As we went on deck he said, 
 
 "Can't there be a temporary house put here to hold fifteen or 
 twenty-five ?" 
 
 So we measured out how a house could be put on, and he said, 
 
 "I will pay all the expense of this house." 
 
 "Yes, but I didn't charter my ship to you to take a deck load 
 of passengers. How much will you give me ?" 
 
 We settled at fifteen dollars per head for the passengers, — 
 about thirty I think, and there were quite a number left. 
 
 I said I would add eight to my crew list at the same price. 
 Then there were three or four left, and I agreed to take them in 
 the cabin. This all amounted to over six hundred dollars. 
 
 As I had some little time before the cargo was coming and the 
 ship was not coppered up so high as I wanted, I bought metal of 
 a Chinaman for about two thirds price and we made a stage from 
 
102 
 
 our own spars on board. I had no crew on board but the mates, 
 two boys and the carpenter. We calked the seams, and put on the 
 metal ourselves, thus saving quite a sum of money. 
 
 After the ship was loaded, and the passengers on board, I 
 wanted to get clear of the fleet so as to get under way the next 
 morning. It was blowing strong and raining, and there were no 
 tug-boats, I ran a hauser from my ship to another one, with whose 
 Captain I was acquainted, calculating that when I hove up my 
 anchors the ship would drift down, the hauser became taut and 
 she would swing round. As soon as the anchors were off the bot- 
 tom, she swung round side ways to the wind. When the stern 
 hauser became taut, it parted. The jibs being all ready, they 
 were hoisted and she paid off before the wind. We ran down 
 through the fleet and came to anchor, and my mind was very 
 much relieved. The Captain of the Boston ship sent me my 
 hauser, and I went back on shore to close up my business and be 
 ready for sea the next morning. 
 
 After getting through, and being ready to go on board I went 
 to the ship chandler's store for letters. This store was a resort 
 for all American masters. One had lately come down from 
 Shanghai in a very fine ship. Another from Sydney, IS". S. W. 
 I had never seen these two men before, and they were there in 
 conversation with the other Captains. 
 
 One of them said, "Did you see that Yankee ship run down 
 through the fleet this morning ? It required a great deal of nerve 
 to do that." 
 
 The other one, also a stranger to me, said, "Yes. That was 
 the man who wanted to copper his ship up higher and was too 
 mean to hire a carpenter or even a carpenter's stage, but put 
 some spare spars overboard and made their own stage and did 
 their own work." 
 
 All present knew me except those two. I turned to them, 
 
 "I am the man that ran the Yankee ship down through the 
 fleet, and I am the man who was too mean to hire a carpenter 
 or even a carpenters stage, but made my own stage, and with 
 the assistance of my two mates, carpenter, and two boys, all the 
 crew I had, we calked the seams, put on the metal, and got a nice 
 water line. All this was done without paying out a dollar, and 
 I feel proud of the job. Do you think any one of you could put 
 a water line round a ship when she lays afloat ?" 
 
 As my business was all done, the boat was waiting to take me 
 aboard, I shook hands with all my friends and the two new Capt- 
 ains, and bade good-by and went on board. 
 
103 
 
 The mate told me as soon as I arrived that the passengers be- 
 tween decks had had a terrible fight. * I inquired into it through 
 an interpreter and found we had different tribes on board and the 
 tribes were at war. They never should have been put on board 
 on this account. Next morning we proceeded to sea. 
 
 When we were well out of the harbor, we reached a large is- 
 land, and the pilot begged to be allowed to leave ^he ship as he 
 didn't want to go by that island, because he said the biggest devil 
 in China was on that island. I let the superstitious pilot leave 
 at once. As I passed by I didn't see either devils or inhabitants. 
 
 When the Chinamen came to get dinner there was another gen- 
 eral fight, so that we had to interfere and separate them. This 
 continued every time they came for their meals; the place was 
 built up separate from the cook's galley. 
 
 I soon had things arranged so that when their meals were 
 ready, before they were called for it I had a guard, consisting of 
 one mate and two sailors. Through this precaution we had no 
 more fighting at meals. 
 
 About the second or third morning out it was rainy and driz- 
 zling. I had a bridge made from the temporary house that was 
 put on to the forward house, perhaps some eighteen or twenty 
 feet, so that I could go from the after to the forward part of the 
 ship without going on deck at all. This rainy morning I had 
 come on deck, and walked over the top of the houses on to the 
 bridge. They were through washing the decks down, and one 
 sailor was sweeping the water out to let it run out of the scup- 
 pers. As a Chinaman came along he slapped him with the wet 
 corn broom. I jumped from the bridge and had that sailor by 
 the cellar much to his surprise. I reproved him and told him 
 his offense could not be repeated, for it was from these Chinamen 
 I received the money and paid his wages, and they must be prop- 
 erly treated. 
 
 My interpreter must have overheard and repeated it to the 
 Chinamen, for he afterwards told me how pleased they were. 
 
 Now we had things arranged so that they ate without fight- 
 ing and everything was quiet. But one pleasant forenoon the 
 chief mate came and said, "They are fighting between decks, and 
 I fear they will kill one another." 
 
 I went to the main hatch at once where there were wide steps 
 to go down, and went down a few steps, so that I could look in. 
 There seemed to be a general battle. Billets of wood, earthen 
 pots, anything they could lay their hands on, were flying about. 
 One Chinaman near the bottom of the steps, was reaching over 
 
104 
 
 another one, and beating a Chinaman with a billet of wood. It 
 was not safe to go down among them. I said to the chief mate 
 ^^Give me your hand.^' 
 
 He did and I said, "i^ow mind you don't let go." 
 
 I went down a few steps further, reached over one or two Chin- 
 amen and caught hold of the pig-tail of the man who was beat- 
 ing the other with the billet of wood, and wound it two or three 
 times around my hand. It was doubtless a surprise to him since 
 he did not know I was anywhere around. I said to the mate 
 "Haul quick,'^ and the Chinaman soon discovered that something 
 had him. I expect he thought it was a Chinese devil till he 
 reached the deck and could see. 
 
 My interpreter stood there, as usual when needed, and I said to 
 take the man clean aft of the after house. The second mate and 
 one man led him off. I soon followed with my interpreter. I 
 told him to sit down on deck. 
 
 "These men are going to stay with you, and if you attempt 
 to get away you may be hurt." 
 
 He promised through the interpreter that he would not. 
 
 Then I returned 'tween decks. Everything seemed quiet. This 
 time I had no fear of going down. I told them that I was there 
 to see how many, and how much they were hurt. The first one I 
 found was the one this Chinaman was beating with a piece of 
 wood. He was ordered on deck. A few others who were slightly 
 wounded also, and all were taken aft to the forward part of the 
 cabin. 
 
 The Chinamen -^ere not allowed in all parts of the ship. A 
 line was stretched across the deck, and they could not pass it. 
 After a few days the line was taken away, as was the case this 
 morning. But when we had the prisoner and wounded China-- 
 man aft, the line was again put up. 
 
 I put the wounded Chinaman on a stool, steward brought water 
 and sponge, and I washed the blood off, and found one very bad 
 wound over the eye and other minor ones on the head. I went 
 to the medicine chest and got plaster, needle and thread, bor- 
 rowed Mrs. Webster's scissors and sewed up the bad wound, draw- 
 ing it together. Then cut away the hair from his other wounds, 
 and drew them together with sticking plaster, and said that wa^ 
 all I could do, and he would soon be all right. The others were 
 easily treated with sticking plaster. 
 
 While this was going on, the other Chinamen came aft as far 
 as they could to the line, and watched operations. 
 
 The wounded ones were told to leave, and they were soon the 
 other side of the rope. I went to the cabin to wash and get rid 
 
105 
 
 of the Chinese blood on my hands, then went aft to the prisoner. 
 lie said that if I would let him go without punishment there 
 should be no more fighting aboard ship. After some talk and 
 i'dv'ce I let him go. As he promised there was no more fighting, 
 and everything was pleasant until we arrived. When my ship 
 left San Francisco for Hong Kong she had her full number of 
 passengers and, although there was another ship on for Hong 
 Kong, she had very few till mine had the whole number she 
 cou]d carry engaged. I believe this was owing to the reports of 
 the Chinamen who came from Hong Kong, who acted as brokers 
 for m}'^ ship among the other Chinamen. 
 
 I sold the watercasks I bought in Melbourne for more than 
 enough to pay for the lumber I had bought before going to 
 Melbourne. So ends my speculation with the lumber, — more 
 than paid for it in Melbourne, — more than paid for it in Hong 
 Kong, more than received first cost by sale of watercasks. 
 
CHAPTEE XVII. 
 AT kodiak; my return home, and life on shore. 
 
 The Hong Kong business being a little slack, I made a voyage 
 up to the island of Kodiak. Took a cargo of ice here for San 
 Francisco, most of the cakes more than two feet thick. It was 
 here our boy George died after a sickness of three days. Very 
 few here could speak English. I had a doctor who was a sur- 
 geon in the Kussian army. As he could not speak English he 
 had his assistant, and when he left the ship he left the assistant, 
 so that one of them was with him constantly. We feel as though 
 everything was done for him that could be done. He realized 
 his sickness, took leave of us all, even of his dog of which he was 
 very fond. When the dog put his head up to him over the edge 
 of the bed he put his hand on his head arid said "Good-by, Jip." 
 
 He said to me, "Tell me you won't leave me up here.'^ I prom- 
 ised I would not. When the time came he died peacefully, con- 
 scious to the last. I kept him on board my ship twenty-one 
 days, stored away between decks in the ice. When we arrived at 
 San Francisco had him embalmed' and put in a lead coffin, and to 
 make doubly sure, filled it with liquor and put it into a box. 
 
 One Captain Frank Delano of Bath, an accquaintance of mine 
 and friend of George, took him round Cape Horn to New York 
 for me, and he now lies in Evergreen Cemetery. 
 
 After I arrived in San Francisco from Kodiak, loaded ship 
 for Hong Kong, and put the chief mate, David Pratt of Yar- 
 mouth, in command. I came home down to Panama in a 
 steamer, crossed the Isthmus taking steamer at Aspinwall for 
 New York. There was no overland railroad. 
 
 After my return I bought fifteen thirty-seconds more of the 
 ship. I then owned all but one sixteenth. She made one 
 voyage to China and then I sold her for more than double what 
 1 paid for my part eight months before. 
 
 While I was in command of her, she made dividends enough 
 to pay the debt of sixteen thousand dollars and about as much 
 as she cost when new. This was in 1864. In this year J. ended 
 my life as master mariner. 
 
 On my return went to my house in Yarmouth, just at dusk, and 
 found a good fire in the dining room and the table set for supper. 
 It was nearly three years before this that we got up from the 
 
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107 
 
 breakfast table, leaving the table set, fire burning, and took 
 train for Baltimore. This was not the same fire we found on 
 our return nor the same food on the table, but my wife's sister 
 had opened the house and made everything ready to receive us. 
 
 In February, 1864, I bought the house where I now live, 296 
 Spring Street, and sold all my property in Yarmouth at auction, 
 moving here the 30th day of March, 1864. 
 
 In the fall of 1864 I contracted to have a brig built for me in 
 Yarmouth. In January I was going out on the car, and fell in 
 with an acquaintance William Chase, a West India merchant of 
 Portland. He had loaded vessels for me for the West Indies a 
 number of times, so I thought I knew him well. 
 
 I said, "I am going to build a vessel this winter of about four 
 hundred fifty tons. I want you to load her in the spring for 
 Cuba." 
 
 He agreed to do it, and asked "What time will she be done?" 
 
 "I'll bring her to Portland the second day of April, and I con- 
 sider that you have chartered her." 
 
 "Yes, if you get her to Portland at that time. How far along 
 is she ?" 
 
 "The men are in the woods cutting her frame." 
 
 He rather smiled at the idea that I would be ready to build her 
 and get her to Portland that time. 
 
 On the first day of April I went into Mr. Chase's counting- 
 room and asked him where he wanted the vessel I chartered him 
 in January to lay. 
 He asked "Have you built a vessel since we talked in January ?" 
 
 "Yes, and I shall bring her to Portland to-morrow, on the 
 second day of April as I agreed." 
 
 He told me where to put her on Widgery's wharf. 
 
 About three o'clock I came down in the brig towed by a tug- 
 boat. As we came to the wharf I leaped over to take the fast. 
 Mr. Chase was there and- said, "I have come down to see what 
 kind of a looking thing you have built in ninety days." 
 
 I said, "I am very anxious for you to give me the cargo so I 
 may load her quickly for I want to get her to Cuba early enough 
 for return cargo." 
 
 He said he would give to us as fast as we could take it in. 
 
 I engaged a mate, wrote to New York for the man that I had 
 engaged to go master, and who was then mate. I think he ar- 
 rived Friday. The next Monday morning the cargo was all in 
 except a deck-load of hogsheads, and I had told them how many 
 liogsheads we would take so they could make out the bill of lad- 
 ing. 
 
108 . 
 
 I took the Captain, named Walter Swett, of Falmouth, to Mr. 
 Chase's counting-room, and asked if the bills of lading were 
 ready. He gave them to me and I looked them over, took them 
 to Mr. Chase, and said, 
 
 "Mr. Chase, is this the customary rate of freight now?" 
 
 "Yes, it is full rate." 
 
 I handed them to the Captain, and told him to sign them. 
 
 Mr. Chase said, "When will the brig sail ?" 
 
 "Three o'clock this afternoon." 
 
 "Why, you haven't the deck-load, have you ?" 
 
 "Xo, but I will have it on." 
 
 I returned to the brig, and the stevedores were putting the 
 deck-load on, riggers bending the sails, water-boat along side 
 putting in water, and two carpenters on board iinishing up some 
 little jobs. 
 
 The first thing after dinner, the deck-load all being on, I told 
 the rigger that we must get her to the end of the wharf and have 
 some sails set by three o'clock. I went to the Custom House 
 with the Captain, then to the Spanish Consul for a bill of health, 
 and (Jrove down to the vessel in my wagon with the Captain be- 
 fore three o'clock. The stevedores had just about finished lash- 
 ing the deck-load' down, the riggers had sail on the vessel, and I 
 said to the Captain, — 
 . "Now you can go aboard and be off at once." 
 
 The stevedores jumped ashore, the riggers and carpenters fol- 
 lowed suit. We cast off the fast and she sailed away with a fine 
 northwest wind. 
 
 One of the carpenters who came ashore was John Coombs 
 from Yarmouth. He commenced work on her at the very be- 
 ginning and when he left her and she left the wharf he had just 
 made cut ninety days. 
 
 Before this I had sold some of this vessel to my friends: one 
 sixteenth to William E. Gould, cashier First National Bank, 
 Portland, and named her Emma for his wife. 
 
 This vessel was most of the time in the West India business, 
 with also a few voyages to Buenos Ayres, and when she was 
 twenty-four years old, was condemned and sold' in Mobile. 
 When 1 wound up her affairs, it showed that she had been quite 
 a prosperous vessel. This vessel was ended in April, 1888. 
 
 I began another one immediately of a little less than five hun- 
 d'red tons. She was finished, loaded and away in November for 
 Cuba. Sold one thirty-second to a young man named Captain 
 Frank White, a temperate, capable man, and quite a driver. He 
 made quite a number of successful voyages to Cuba, Europe and 
 
109 
 
 Buenos Ayres. She continued a fortunate vessel, by name 
 Agenora, till 1876 and was then commanded by a young man 
 named Samuel Seabury of Yarmouth. She left New York 
 bound to Cuba, and never arrived. 
 
 In 1878 I began another larger vessel, and called it the Charles 
 Fobes. She was launched in September, loaded and sailed for 
 Buenos Ayres in command of Captain Walter Swett of Falmouth, 
 formerly master of the Emma. He owned one thirty-second. 
 
 She continued in the Atlantic trade for about seven years. 
 Then she went long voyages to East Indies, Australia, and New 
 Zealand. She made one passage to New Zealand in ninety- 
 three d'ays, the quickest passage I have ever had made, although 
 I have had five vessels in that trade and this was the dullest 
 sailing one of all. 
 
 On a passage to Callao, off Cape Horn, she was somewhat 
 damaged, and put into Falkland Islands. Her bills of repairing 
 were not only very high but dishonest. Captain put a bot- 
 tomry bond upon the vessel for the whole amount bearing thirty- 
 five per cent interest. We didn't choose to pay the bottomry, and 
 she was sold by the United States marshal to pay the debt. She 
 ended showing a very good record. 
 
 The next vessel built was the bark Itonus about eight hun- 
 dred tons, begun in 1869. In September, of 1870, she was 
 Jaunched all rigged, went to Boston and loaded for Liverpool in 
 command of Captain A. W. Smart, formerly master of brig 
 Emma. He owned a small piece of her. Captain Smart made 
 a number of successful voyages ; I think he remained in her some 
 four years. Then Captain George M. Buckman of Falmouth 
 took coijimand. She continued making successful voyages und'er 
 Captain Buckman for several years ; then he left her for a voyage 
 and the mate. Captain Storer, had command and made a success- 
 ful voyage to Australia and around the world. Captain Buck- 
 man wishing to stay at home another voyage Captain Storer re- 
 mained in her. He sailed for Australia then for West Coast 
 South America, loaded nitrate for New York, and never arrived. 
 
 Captain Storer was a smart driving man, and we always sup- 
 posed he came in collision with an iceberg. He had his wife with 
 him, having been married about two years. Not one escaped to 
 explain the disaster. This was a very nice vessel and had made 
 a great deal of money for her owners. I owned a large part and 
 was not fully insured. 
 
 In 1871 I began a large bark. She was launched, finished, and 
 went to Boston to load for Liverpool. Her name was George A. 
 Wright. Nine days out of Boston the Captain left her with his 
 
no 
 
 wife, two children, and the chief mate, leaving all the rest on- 
 board, it being just at dark, and they having but one boat left, 
 and that boat disabled, by something falling from aloft on her. 
 The fishing schooner that picked up the Captain and his family 
 from the boat they left the ship in, lay by, and in the morning 
 took the rest of the crew. The bark was in as good a condition 
 as she was when the Captain left her. There was little water in 
 her, and I think I might say she was in quite good condition ex- 
 cept for loss of fore topmast, that the Captain had cut away. 
 This vessel was in charge of Captain Joseph Brooks of Portland, 
 •c man of much experience and called a good sailor, but he had 
 never been in a vessel load'ed with grain. I have little doubt that 
 he was frightened and the vessel ought not to have been aban- 
 doned. I was not fully insured on this vessel and my loss was 
 over seven thousand dollars. 
 
 Before I built the George A. Wright I had built in Bath in 
 1873 and 1874 the bark B. Webster and bark H. J. Libby. The 
 B. Webster sailed from Portland bound to Buenos Avres in 
 charge of Captain A. W. Smart. He continued master until he 
 left her to go master of Itonus. This vessel cost us less than 
 thirty-eight thousand dollars. The first year she paid her owners 
 sixteen thousand three hundred dollars. She continued to be 
 profitable mostly in the East Indian, Australian, and West Coast 
 of Chili trade, and I sold her in Callao in June 1896, at a very 
 good price. Her history was good. 
 
 The H. J. Libby was six months older, built on same model, 
 mostly in the same trade, was run on shore near Fire Island, 
 Long Island, New York, by an incompetent Captain. The ves- 
 bcl and cargo were a total loss, but though she ended her life in 
 this way, still she had been quite a profitable vessel to the own- 
 ers. 
 
 The bark Onaway was built in 1883, nine hundred ninety- 
 three tons and a first class vessel in every respect. She loaded 
 m Boston and sailed for Australia in October 1883. She cost on 
 leaving Boston, metalled high, advance wages, provisions and 
 everything paid after she discharged her pilot, $57,260. First 
 dividend April 14, 1884, was $6,432. The last dividend was 
 January 12, 1900, was $3,200. All the dividends she has made 
 amount to $103,926, and I expect to hear of her arrival in 
 Lahaina, Sandwich Islands daily. This vessel I had built as all 
 the others before; I started them alone, so that when they were 
 finished and went to sea I had let my friends have small pieces, . 
 and reserved for mvself from one fourth to two thirds. This 
 vessel I retain fifteen thirty-seconds of. 
 
Ill 
 
 The bark Grace Deering was seven hundred thirty tons. 
 September 18, 1884, I bought twenty-eight thirty-seconds, pay- 
 ing at the rate of sixteen thousand for the whole vessel. Sept- 
 ember, 1899, have received dividends of $60,724. She is now in ' 
 New York, just returned from a voyage around the world. I 
 own forty-three sixty-fourths of her. She has been quite a for- 
 tunate vessel since I bought and took the management of her, — 
 all the time employed on long voyages. She has made safe 
 passages without any losses. 
 
 The brig Mary C. Mariner a little less than three hundred tons. 
 1 bought a large piece and took the management. She paid her 
 cost every two years for six years ; then I took her to Yarmouth 
 new topped her, all new wire rigging and mostly new stern and 
 made a first rate vessel of her at a cost of about seven thousand. 
 She ran about six years. While I managed her she was quite a 
 profitable vessel and was called by some "Webster's School Ship'' 
 on account of changing so many Captains from her into larger 
 ships. I think the number was six or eight. On a passage from 
 Jamaica to New York, put into Key West, was condemned and 
 fcold ; thus ending a life of great usefulness, as many young men 
 would testify who owed their advance in life to her. 
 
 I bought a large piece of the bark Hiero and took the man- 
 agement of her in oder to get one of my neighbors Captain John 
 Davis in command of her, — a man of long experience and an 
 excellent sailor. 
 
 She loaded with grain in New York for Waterford in Ireland. 
 Nine days out of New York the pumps were choked by the grain 
 getting to them and the vessel was abandoned. This vessel was 
 lost wholly on account of the cargo not being properly loaded, 
 and dunnaged as it should have been. 
 
 The underwriters refused to pay. Their ground was that she 
 was not properly fitted for the cargo. We sued three offices, and 
 trial lasted three days. The jury disagreed. We had seven out 
 of the twelve. Entered at once for a new trial. A few months 
 after compromised the case and took seventy-five cents on a dol- 
 lar. In the meantime two offices had failed. They had quite a 
 sum on her. This was a big loss for me. 
 
 I bought a large piece of the Giles Loring and took the man- 
 agement. This vessel did well for quite a number of years, and 
 made money. Then she loaded for West Coast of Africa. The 
 Captain's conduct there was such that he became sick and died. 
 The mate was incompetent to take charge. 
 
 The vessel discharged her cargo at quite a number of different 
 ports, and loaded for Marseilles in France. We had another 
 
112 
 
 vessel there and took her mate to be master of Giles Loring. The 
 vessel went to sea; some six or eight days after put back. She 
 discharged some of the cargo and was sold at public auction, for 
 Jess than half that it was invoiced for. 
 
 This was bought back by the agent for the owners. Some 
 was shipped by steamer to Marseilles. A small part of the cargo 
 was damaged', and was sold for the benefit of whom it might con- 
 cern. I fully believe it was arranged between the Captain and 
 this agent for the vessel's return and for the rest of the episode,-- 
 to get the insurance on the damaged cargo to buy back a large 
 part for less than half its value. 
 
 Then the owners of the cargo belonging in London sued the 
 owners of the vessel for the loss on the cargo, and recove];ed, 
 wholly against any cases of the kind on record. I well remember 
 when my chance came to go on the stand, that my lawyer put all 
 questions to me that he liked, then the lawyer for the plaintiff 
 began a thorough cross-examination. He asked me a number 
 of questions that I couldn't answer ; one in particular he seemed 
 determined to have answered. I answered that I couldn't tell. 
 
 He said, "Tell me what you think." 
 
 I turned to the Judge: — "Will your Honor allow me to tell 
 him what I think?" 
 
 "Yes, tell him what you think." 
 
 I turned to the lawyer and said, "As you force me to tell you 
 what I think, I'll do so. They bought back a large part of this 
 cargo for less than half its value, sent it forward to be sold in 
 Marseilles at a very large profit. Then they collected from the 
 underwriters and received pay for all the damaged cargo." 
 
 The lawyer said "Stop, stop." 
 
 I went on — "And now they sue us, — 
 
 The lawyer said "Didli't I tell you to stop ?" 
 
 "To get pay for it the third time." 
 
 The lawyer repeated "Didn't I tell you to stop ?" 
 
 "You told me to tell you what I thought, and I've done, and 
 I fully believe it is all true." 
 
 So this vessel wound up with a big loss at the end. 
 
 I then bought over half of the ship Bertha and managed her. 
 She made quite a number of Atlantic voyages. East Indies, 
 Japan, Manilla, and two voyages to Buenos Ayres. The last 
 time from Buenos Ayres she returned by the way of Turk's 
 Island loaded with salt for Boston, but never arrived. We never 
 had any news from the vessel or any of the crew. 
 
 After I bought into this vessel she paid her owners well. The 
 last voyage, the Captain remitted his freight from Buenos Ayres. 
 
113 
 
 I knew that when this vessel reached Boston she must be remet- 
 alled. I kept back one thousand dollars of the remittance from 
 Buenos Ay res, and made a dividend of the balance. After I 
 was satisfied that this vessel would never be heard from, she was 
 so much overdue, I made a dividend of all the money in my 
 hands. I had quite an amount insured on her freight. After a 
 reasonable time the insurance offices paid it. I made another 
 dividend to the owners of a part of it, keeping back quite a sum 
 in case any of the heirs of the sailors should make a claim for 
 wages. After a reasonable time, being satisfied that no such 
 contingency would' arise, I made another dividend, making 
 three dividends after she was lost. 
 
 There was an old gentleman named Loring of North Yar- 
 mouth for whom I had much regard, — a farmer; he said that 
 "This vessel beat all that he ever heard of. She made dividends 
 of tener after she was lost than she did before." 
 
 There is no more about this vessel except that she was a good 
 piece of property for me. 
 
CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 VESSELS THAT I HAVE HAD BUILT, HAVE BOUGHT INTO, AND 
 MANAGED ; AND CAPTAINS THAT HAVE COM- 
 MANDED THEM. LOSSES. 
 
 I give here the names of the vessels that I have built, bought 
 into, and managed. I will give a statement of their Captajns 
 later. 
 
 Brig Levant, the first new vesisel that I commanded. I 
 owned three-eighths of her. When new left Portland over nine- 
 teen hundred dollars in debt. In less that two years paid the 
 debt and bought me the first chronometer I ever owned at a cost 
 of two hundred fifty-three dollars. After sailing her six years, 
 put a man named John Mann from Freeport in command. She 
 was lost in the Western Islands. Crew saved, no insurance. 
 
 Bark Agenora, I had built at Yarmouth. Mr. J. Baker and I 
 built her in equal parts. After she was all completed I bought 
 one sixteenth of him, leaving him seven sixteenths and me nine 
 sixteenths. I left this vessel in less than three years, put my 
 mate in command. 
 
 Ship Pumgustuck, Ship Helios, Brig Agenora (second of the 
 name) Ship J. Baker, Bark B. Webster, Bark H. J. Libby, Bark 
 Charles Fobes, Bark Itonus, Bark George A. Wright, Bark 
 Onaway, Brig Emma. / 
 
 All the above I built. 
 
 Bought into: — Brig Giles Loring, Brig M. C. Mariner, Ship 
 Bertha, Bark Grace Deering, Bark Hiero. 
 
 The vessels I have commanded are : — Schooner Isaac Jackson, 
 - Schooner Julianne, Brig Levant, Bark Agenora, Ship Pumgus- 
 tuck, Ship Helios. 
 
 I will give a list of the different men I have assisted to be 
 Captains up to March, 1890. 
 
 Isaac Skillins, mate with me in the bark Agenora, joined in 
 1847 when she was new. In less than three years I gave him 
 command of the same vessel ; a very smart, driving, honest, tem- 
 perate man, died years ago at Bath. 
 
 John Mann received command of the brig Levant when I left 
 her. I wish I'd never seen him. Died years ago. 
 
 Darius Pratt took command of the ship Pumgustuck when I 
 left her; himself, wife, and son were lost in the steamer Arctic 
 
115 
 
 on a passage from Liverpool. He was a capable smart man, a 
 great driver, and' made quick passages ; understood business well. 
 He was a great loss to his sisters, and to me as a business man. 
 
 Joseph Mitchell took command of the ship Helios when she was 
 new ; a very clever and trusty man. Died off Cape Good H9pe 
 on a passage to Calcutta. 
 
 Cartney, mate of the ship Helios ; took command when Captain 
 Mitchell died. He went master for about four years, out in the 
 East, Calcutta, Sydney, Hong Kong, and Valparaiso, South 
 America. He was a smart man but not honest. He was re- 
 .moved from the command of the Helios. He was washed over- 
 board, finallv, and drowned. Let all his 'dishonest works die with 
 him. 
 
 Walter Swett took command of the Emma when she was new, 
 and then of the bark Charles Forbes ; a capable saving man, at- 
 tentive to business ; now living on his fine place in Falmouth. 
 
 Frank White took command of the Agenora when she was new. 
 He was a temperate, honest, capable man, and made very quick 
 voyages. He is now a merchant in Portland. 
 
 Durgin took command of the Mary C. Mariner when I bought 
 into her; he died from a wound received from a sailor. 
 
 Charles H. Buckman took command of the Mary C. Mariner; 
 afterward of the bark H. J. Libby. He was a steady, capable, 
 temperate man, now interested in Fairbanks Scales. 
 
 William Allen made master of ship J. BaJ^er when she was new. 
 He was well qualified for master. Later in life had command 
 of an English ship. He sailed for Quebec from England and 
 never was heard from. 
 
 Captain ]\rarcellus Low took command of the brig M. C. Mar- 
 iner then of the bark Charles F^es. He remained by her seven, 
 years, then left on account of bad health. He remained 
 home awhile then took command of the brig Giles Loring. He 
 died on the passage from Cuba to Boston. He was an A 1 Ship 
 Master in every respect. His wife, a daughter of the Hon. 
 Ephriam Sturdivant was with him in the Charles Forbes and in 
 the Giles Loring when her husband died. She was a smart in- 
 telligent woman, well posted in affairs on shipboard; it was an 
 advantage to the owners to have her with her husband. She 
 lives at Cumberland on the place where she was born, — the 
 Ephraim Sturdivant place. Her life is a pattern for younger 
 women to follow. 
 
 George M. Buckman was second mate of the bark B. Webster 
 when she was new in 1873, for one voyage. Then was mate of 
 brig Emma for a number of years. Then was master of the 
 
116 
 
 same vessel ; then master of bark I tonus. He was in her a num- 
 ber of years and made long voyages, — to Australia and the West 
 Coast of Chili. Eemained at home one voyage, and the mate 
 took charge. He was a steady, temperate man, attentive to ves- 
 sel's business in all things ;- — minding his own affairs and never 
 meddling with any one's else. He is now at home at Falmouth 
 with his two sons. 
 
 Fred Crickett started mate of bark H. J. Libby in 1873. 
 After a few years, promoted to be master of Agenora, then to 
 command of ship Bertha. He made two Atlantic voyages, and 
 quite a number of long voyages to East Indies, Australia, Japan, 
 and Manilla. He went then to the Onaway in which he made 
 many long voyages. He left her much against my wishes. He 
 has a very nice home in Cumberland Center. He is married and 
 has three daughters. For the last four years he has remained 
 ashore, and has gone to New York in my interests when my ves- 
 sels arrive there. I well remember our first acquaintance. I 
 had the H. J. Libby loaded for Buenos Ayres ; one morning after 
 a heavy snow storm I was down superintending the men who were 
 shovelling snow. A man waded down through the snow and 
 came on board and asked me if I were Captain Webster. I re- 
 plied "Yes." 
 
 "Do you want a mate for this bark ?" 
 
 "Yes.'' 
 
 "I should like the situation." 
 
 I asked what vessel he had been in, and how long he had been 
 in Portland. He said he had arrived the evening before from 
 Boston. I asked many questions, at the same time studying 
 his countenance. 
 
 I asked how long before he could arrange to join the ship, and 
 he replied "One hour." 
 
 "And then can you tend to my business ?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 In our long acquaintance I believe that he has striven to carry 
 cut what he said at that time, and I feel that the acquaintance 
 made that morning has been an advantage to both him and my- 
 self. 
 
 H. P. Prince started out mate of the Emma, promoted to mas- 
 ter of the Agenora then to the bark B. Webster. In the latter 
 a, number of years mostly on long voyages. Then to bark Ona- 
 way for one voyage. He was a very clever capable man. He was 
 representative to the Legislature two terms. He died in Feb- 
 ruary, 1899. He was a great loss to his family and many friends. 
 His life was an example for men to follow. 
 
117 
 
 Patterson was master of the Mary C. Mariner, but left on ac- 
 count of his health. I haven't heard from him for a number of 
 years, and think he must be dead. 
 
 Samuel Seabury began as a boy in '73 on board bark B. Web- 
 ster, and remained there until he was mate, then was mate of the 
 new bark George A. Wright, then promoted to command of the 
 Agenora. He made a number of voyages to Europe. He sailed 
 from New York to Cuba and never was heard from. He was a 
 temperate clever man of much promise. 
 
 Walls was master of the Agenora but for a few voyages. He 
 then took command of another vessel for other parties. The 
 vessel was lost at sea and no one escaped. 
 
 Joseph H. Brooks took command of the Agenora then was 
 promoted to the George A. Wright when new. He loaded in 
 Boston with grain for Liverpool. This fine vessel was aban- 
 doned nine days out of Boston. 
 
 Mumford was commander of brig Emma for a few voyages, 
 then took command of a vessel owned by other parties. The 
 vessel and Captain were lost on the West Coast of Ireland. 
 
 E. H. Pray was master of the brig Emma for one voyage, then 
 of brig Mary C. Mariner, then of B. Webster. The vessel was 
 sold in Callao. He now is in the Sailors' Snug Harbor, New 
 York. I hope he will soon be out and able to take command of 
 the .vessel in which he owns and of which he has been Master on 
 her return to New York. I let him have money to buy into 
 this vessel. He is over sixty, and it seems hard for him to go 
 to sea at that age. 
 
 Dole was Master of Mary C. Mariner for a number of voyages. 
 He has been ashore for a number of years and lives at South 
 Portland. 
 
 A. W. Pratt in 1873 received money from me to come home 
 from California. He went on board bark H. J. Libby as a ship 
 boy. He remained by her a long time, then was made mate of 
 the brig Emma, then mate of ship Bertha, then promoted to be 
 master of bark H. J. Libby, — the same one in which he began as 
 a boy. He was afterwards Master of the Grace Deering, then 
 made one voyage in the Onaway. He left seafaring of his own 
 volition. He was a smart driving man. 
 
 John A. Meech was mate of bark B. Webster for several years. 
 Afterward Master of bark Grace Deering. He is now Master of 
 the bark Onaway. I think him well worthy of the position he 
 occupies. 
 
 S. P. Drinkwater was Master of the bark Grace Deering. He 
 has made two voyages round the world, — one to Australia and 
 
118 
 
 Singapore, and is now home on a visit. The vessel is in New 
 York. I believe him to be strictly honest and temperate, and a 
 man alert for the owners' interests. 
 
 Charles Richardson started second mate of the B. Webster 
 when new in 1873. He then was first mate of Mar}' C. Mariner. 
 Then Master of brig Emma, then of bark H. J. Libby. He made 
 a number of long voyages in this vessel. He was a smart driv- 
 ing man. I haven't heard from him for several years. 
 
 John Davis, of bark Hiero. He was only in her a short time, 
 then abandoned her on passage from New York to Waterford in 
 Ireland. He was a man of much experience. Died in Yar- 
 mouth. 
 
 Bradford Joined bark Charles Fobes as mate, then promoted 
 to be Master of the same vessel. He abandoned her on' the 
 Northeast part of Georges bound to Portland. She was picked 
 up by fishermen and brought into Halifax in good order. I 
 haven't seen Bradford for many years. 
 
 John Titcomb was mate of bark Charles Fobes and brig 
 Agenora, afterwards Master of brig M. C. Mariner 
 
 Smith, mate of the barks Esther and Charles Fobes, Master 
 of M. C. Mariner. 
 
 . Hoglan was a boy on board the Esther. Later was second 
 mate, and mate of Emma, then Master of Emma, died of yellow 
 fever. 
 
 Wanton Storer, mate of bark Itonus a number of voyages then 
 Master of the same vessel. On his second voyage round the world 
 was never heard from. 
 
 R. M, Tapley, Master of bark Onaway for one voyage. 
 Je'dd F. Pray, mate of bark B. Webster, afterwards Master of 
 H. J. Libbv. He ran her ashore on Long Island near Fire 
 Island, and she was a total loss. 
 
 Losses I have had in different ways from my twenty-first year. 
 First money I earned after twenty-one put in savings bank. 
 After a number of years thev paid a percentage, 
 
 and I lost, ' $80.00 
 
 While I was mate and Master of schooner Isaac Jackson $440.00 
 The brig Levant lost at Western Islands, $3000.00 
 
 The bark Agenora lost at sea, $5800.00 
 
 Pumgustuck lost at sea, $5444.00 
 
 Bark Hiero abandoned at sea, $1500.00 
 
 Ship Helios totally dismasted, $2000.00 
 
 George A. Wright abandoned at sea by Captain's being 
 
 frightened, $7000.00 
 
 Cotton mill at Yarmouth, $15000.00 
 
119 
 
 Different Oil Companies, 
 
 Gold Mines in California, 
 
 Brig Giles Loring lost in Africa, 
 
 Schooner Belle Crowell capsized at sea, 
 
 Two stern wheel steamers. 
 
 Bark H. J. Libby, 
 
 Ship J. Baker, 
 
 Guptill and Lyman, failure, 
 
 Charles H. Dodge, 
 
 Helping negro through college, 
 
 Brig Anna M. Knight went ashore on Abycos, 
 
 Schooner commanded by Captain Durgin, 
 
 Schooner Seabird, 
 
 Ocean Insurance Company, 
 
 One Soule and J. B. Blethen, 
 
 Taken from my pocket. 
 
 Gold mines. 
 
 $2850.00 
 
 $600.00 
 
 $2500.00 
 
 $400.00 
 
 $1370.00 
 
 $1500.00 
 
 $2500.00 
 
 $3370 00 
 
 $78.00 
 
 $31.00 
 
 $255.00 
 
 $200.00 
 
 $200.00 
 
 $7500.00 
 
 $200.00 
 
 $500.00 
 
 $300.00 
 
CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 I think that now this history might as well be brought to a 
 close. It is thirty-six years since I left the command of Ship 
 Helios at San Francisco and came home and bought fifteen 
 thirty-seconds of her. I bought this home where I have lived 
 over thirty-five years. I own a fine summer residence at Cush- 
 ing's Island where I have spent a number of summers. 
 
 My wife enjoyed it very much. She died very suddenly March 
 16, 1896, fifty-one years and two months from our marriage 
 to her death. 
 
 She was a very lovely and Christian woman. In this fifty-one 
 years and two months she never spoke an angry word to me. 
 1 never knew her to slander or speak ill of any one. If she was 
 told any slander she never repeated it to others. She died 
 quietly and peacefully without a word or struggle. 
 
 I would like to add a journal, some of it written fifty-five 
 years ago, by my wife during the voyages in which she accom- 
 panied me at sea. It is fragmentary and imperfect, some of the 
 pages missing and much of it without 'dates. It has been laid 
 awav for manv vears, and was discovered after her death. In 
 fond memory of her who wrote it, and because of the great inter- 
 est of the journal itself, it becomes a pride and a pleasure to all 
 who belonged to her to preserve it in print. 
 
'> ■> o :> 
 
 '5 
 
 o » 
 
 •» ^ 9 5 
 
 3 ' 3 
 
 o :> 5 ) 
 
 5 ' 5 
 
 3 
 
 I •> 
 
 3 3 3 J 
 
 ■»« ■• 3 
 
 
 3 3 
 J 3 3 3 
 
l(L4 0^t 
 
 ^la iitci^ 
 
 Av-^MJm- 
 
DIAEY OF MBS. BENJAMIN WEBSTER. 
 
 Boston, November 9th, 1845. 
 
 Since I last wrote anything I have been at home and have 
 found my friends vv^ell. I called all around and then went to 
 Portland where I stopped a few days. I then came to Boston 
 on the 31st of October and boarded' at Mr. Fogg's until yesterday, 
 when I came on board and here I expect to stay for a long time 
 to come. No particular change has taken place since I left ex- 
 cepting a new mate and a gentleman passenger — I hope that we 
 shall enjoy ourselves and indeed I think we shall for we can pvit 
 confidence in Mr. Chandler, which is more than we have in 
 any mate we have had since I Joined the brig. Since I have been 
 here I have visited Bunker Hill monument, the State House and 
 the glass works. The last I was much pleased with. It was 
 really curious to see the men work the melted glass with as much 
 apparent ease as I would work molasses candy. I saw them 
 make tumblers, smelling bottles, curtain pin heads, etc. 
 
 Thursday 13. We are now three days out with a fair wind, 
 which will carry us to Havana in a short time if it is continued 
 to us the same. 
 
 The second day out several little birds came to us for protect- 
 ion. Mr. Chandler caught one and gave it to me. B made 
 a cage for it and' sat it upon the stove, and a short time after- 
 ward accidentally knocked' it down, and the poor little bird died 
 soon after either from the fall or fright. The brig has been cut- 
 ting up her capers as usual when we have a strong breeze, such 
 as throwing down the chairs, upsetting the dishes and making 
 every possible noise that can be imagined, and with everything 
 else the passenger and myself were quite seasick, which was 
 nothing more than I expected. He — the passenger is an en- 
 tirely green sailor and I am bound to be sick when we have 
 rough weather; but now we are quite smart again, and I have 
 made one shirt since we sailed and to-day have set up a stocking. 
 
 The Captain and mate and all hand's are very busy doing ship 
 duty, such as sending up the royal yard — splicing the top-lifts 
 and last night there was a studdingsail yard made directly over 
 my head by moonlight. Oh dear ! 
 
 Sunday 16. We are half-way to Havana and if the wind 
 continues to favor us as it has done, we shall make a quick pas- 
 sage. As usual Sunday is rather a 'dtill day we have no variety 
 
122 
 
 to distinguish that from any other excepting that the men are 
 idle. It is a ver}^ rare thing to see one of them with a book, — very 
 likely not one on board (of the men forward) knows how to read 
 or even write his own name. Poor io^norant set, thev live a life 
 of toil and hardship ; they truly earn their money and it is easily 
 spent as soon as they get ashore. Such is the sailor. 
 
 Sunda}^ 23, just 2 o'clock. We are now anchored on the 
 Bahama banks with several ships in. company with us ; it is rather 
 discouraging to lie here with a head wind', however hope that we 
 shall be able to start to-night. The passenger and men are busy 
 trying to catch fish. Mr. Chandler is reading his Bible. Ben- 
 jamin is asleeji coiled up in the berth and Jack the dog is trotting 
 about deck. So the day will pass away with nothing to interest 
 excepiing a few old newspapers which I have read and reread 
 several times over. When I have nothing else to do I read the 
 advertisements and perhaps find a farm for sale, so I muse upon 
 that, thinking how it would suit my taste to be a farmer's wife. 
 But these illusions vanish when Benjamin winds up the conver- 
 sation with "I always expect to go to sea." 
 
 Thursdav, 2?. Here we are safe in Havana. We arrived 
 yesterday, and now are safe at the wharf ; and such a noise and 
 confusion I never heard before. The half-naked negroes are un- 
 loading the vessel and they sing to their utmost power. And 
 such singing ! I hope that I shall go ashore to-day for I have 
 considerable curiosity to see the city of which I have so often 
 heard. 
 
 Saturday, 19th. I have been ashore and have seen the city, 
 and I can sincerely say that I never have been in any place that I 
 was so much pleased with. There is a vast deal to attract one's 
 attention. Their carriages are very different from what I have 
 been used to seeing; their wheels are enormously large, and the 
 bodv is set a long wav forward. The arms are verv long and 
 the drivers sit on the horse with boots which extend half way 
 up their bodies and they are dressed in livery. From their ap- 
 pearance I should judge that they felt very grand'. As we passed 
 their carriage stand one of them stepped up to us and pointed out 
 his carriage and evinced by his gestures his great desire that we 
 should avail ourselves of his offer. We however declined as I 
 much preferred walking to riding ; and as I wished to see all that 
 could be seen ; at night they take their carriages into their dwel- 
 lings. 
 
 The ladies were most of them very prettily dressed and I saw 
 many of them looking through the iron grated windows. Their 
 flowing white dresses, bright sparkling eyes and jet black hair 
 
123 
 
 were enough almost to captivate one. I have never seen the 
 Spanish beauties before and should judge from what little I have 
 seen that their charms have not been exaggerated. 
 
 The shops are fitted up in a most gorgeous style; everything 
 appears to be placed in Just the right position to show to the 
 greatest possible advantage. Their dwelling houses kre very 
 large and some of them very splendid, mostly built of stone. I 
 should judge that they were costly. I think that the city must 
 be very rich. I suppose that they knew me to be a foreigner for 
 I was never gazed at so before in my life. The Governor's palace 
 is a very large building, painted light blue with turrets around 
 the top arid a splendid yard with a fountain in front. The walks 
 as well as the floors are marble and I observed that the most of 
 the floors were of the same material all laid in squares or dia- 
 monds and of various colors. I never saw the like before, they 
 are splendid. I saw an elegant bird bright red and black, I 
 did not know what it was. 
 
 Tuesday, December 2d. Last eve went ashore and walked 
 through the governor's yard before his palace, saw the guard of 
 soldiers stationed before his door; they guard his door day and 
 night. Visited a confectionery store where things were done up 
 in quite good style, equal to New York with the exception of the 
 very dirty tile floors. I partook of an ice cream which was very 
 nice for the West Indies. I saw tlie monument which was 
 erected in memory of Christopher Columbus' first landing place. 
 His remains are in this place. I have not been in the church 
 where he lies yet. Tlie })ulpit is erected directly over his bones. 
 
 Wednesday evening. Have been promenading before the gov- 
 ernor's^ door and heard some most "d'eliglitful music. Was in- 
 troduced to a Captain Trim and a supercargo whom I should 
 think was quite an exquisite if I were to judge from his large 
 gold shirt studs, the circumference of which, I presume, would 
 equal that of a quarter of a dollar, and a most scientific bow upon 
 our introduction and a breath strongly perfumed with brandy — 
 surely he must be one of the first water. 
 
 Thursday, 4th. This morning set sail for TvTew Orleans and 
 watched the city of Havana nutil there was but the dim outline 
 of the place to be seen at the edge of the horizon, then took my 
 last look of the Moro probably forever, then went to the cabin 
 and resigned myself to seasickness again until we reached the 
 broad and beautiful Mississippi. 
 
 Monday, 8th, morn. We are now sailing up the Mississippi 
 with a fine breeze and going at the rate of five miles per hour 
 and hope soon to be at the city of New Orleans. The banks look 
 
124, 
 
 green and beautiful although it is now December and in our own 
 state probably the ground is covered with snow and merrily go 
 the bells. 
 
 Tuesday, 9th, morn. Here we safely tied up to a tree on the 
 bank of the Mississippi; last night at 12 o'clock, the wind died 
 away and left us in a stark calm after getting nearly half way 
 to the city. This morning the fog is so dense that we can 
 scarcely see the length of the vessel so we shall be obliged to re- 
 main tied until a breeze comes. An hour ago I heard a man 
 talking to our steward and inquiring for Irish potatoes. I 
 should like much to make an exchange with him for some sweet 
 ones. Afternoon: — A shower of rain which makes it necessary 
 for us to tie up again after being loose only about two hours ; — 
 quite a strong wind which will help us along if we can onlv use 
 it. 
 
 Friday, 12th. Not at Orleans yet; head wind and foggy 
 weather — almost discouraged about its clearing off. However 
 we have changed our situation since Tuesday and now instead 
 of being tied to a tree we are tied to a log by the river. Our 
 passenger sits almost frozen by the stove. Mr. Chandler is man- 
 ufacturing a spittoon notwithstanding his lameness. Benjamin 
 is sitting in the rocking chair eating an apple looking rather 
 sober. The men are varnishing the mast and the steward getting 
 supper, so we are all employed in some way that is useful. I 
 neglected to mention that before we left Havana Mr. Chandler 
 fell into the brig's hold and sprained his ankle very badly and 
 he is still obliged to go about on crutches. When I heard him 
 fall I expected that he was killed, but fortunate he surely was to 
 come off as well as he did. 
 
 Saturday, 13th. Still foggy and we shall not be able to sail an 
 inch until the wind changes. The tow boats are continually 
 passing us with as many as they can pull along, and such puffing 
 and blowing we never hear at the north. I must now commence 
 sewing and confine myself steadily to it if I wish to accomplish 
 much this day. . 
 
 Sunday, 14th. Rain, rain, nothing but fog and rain for a 
 whole week I I am alone with the exception of Jack the dog 
 who sits quietly by the stove gnawing lazily a bone. B is "un- 
 dergoing" (as Mr. Chandler expresses it) another nap in the 
 berth and as for myself I have been reading the Bible and a lit- 
 tle in several other books. We had a Dutch Captain to dine 
 with us upon roast pig. 
 
 Monday, 15th. Rose this morning at 7 o'clock after sleeping 
 most profoundly for ten hours. The sun shone out in all his 
 
125 
 
 splendor and cleared the misty and foggy clouds away and now 
 the air is exhilarating and cool enough for comfort although it 
 is the middle of December. During the night the wind came 
 fair and accordingly we pulled up stakes and started, but had 
 not gone more than two miles when the wind was ahead again. 
 So we anchored for the night and it is still there this morning. 
 The men are busy painting the vessel. The cook is preparing 
 dinner, Mr. Simons is walking leisurely around and I am mak- 
 ing a shirt for B. 
 
 Tuesday, 16th. Nothing new excepting that we have moved 
 a few miles farther up the river and it is a stark calm. 
 
 Friday, 19th. We have at last succeeded in getting up the 
 river as far as we wish for the present, and I suppose we shall 
 lie here until we get a leak stopped in the brig. It is a beautiful 
 bright sunshiny day and ever^^thing looks brisk and lively. 
 B. has gone to the city, and I have had quite a lonely day of it. 
 
 Sunday, 21st. Dined at Mr. Eobinson's to-day, then crossed 
 the ferry and took a walk over the Queen of the West as some 
 style it but did not see anything very remakable. I visited the 
 Hospital. I saw Mr. Chandler who went a few days ago to see 
 if the doctor there coul'd not do something for his foot. But they 
 think there is nothing excepting a sprain the matter with it so 
 he thinks that he shall come on board the brig again soon. I do 
 not have a very good opinion of the Marine Hospital in this place 
 and do not think that the patients have much attention. 
 
 Monday, 2 2d. Have been employed writing home to-day, then 
 paced the deck for an hour to sun myself. It has been exceed- 
 ingly cold for this place, as yesterday, ice made all day in the 
 shade, and some one at Mr. Eobinson's observed that he saw ice 
 an inch and a half thick. The Ohio river is frozen over so hard 
 that it is impassable, and the produce cannot be brought from 
 the western country. Business will be stagnated until ttiat opens. 
 The Sabbath is not much regarded here, the shops are open and 
 I saw a blacksmith at his work and a large crowd of people 
 collected around an engine to see to what height they could throw 
 water. It appears to be a day of amusement more than the 
 sacred Sabbath. Probably we shall remain here some time as 
 business is so dull. 
 
 Thursday, 25^ Christmas. We dined at Mr. Eobinson's to-day 
 and had a dinner of oyster soup, roast duck and turkey salad, 
 mince pie, wine, etc., etc., — a very good dinner. I enjoyed my- 
 self very well. 
 
 Saturday, the 27th. The brig is hove down to-day. Accord- 
 ingly I was obliged to leave her for the day and stop at a public 
 
126 
 
 house. The landlady was an English lady and she related to 
 me a tale of the woes which had befallen her since she came to 
 this country. I lent a listening ear. "I left Liverpool," she 
 says, 'Vith such a family as every mother's heart would be jDroud 
 of, two sons and two daughters ; but ere two months had passed 
 away three out of the four were lifeless corpses. Thank God 
 I have one son left ! My grief was such that for four months 
 I could not leave my bed. I could not be reconciled to the loss 
 of my darlings. Oh, if one daughter could only have been 
 spared to love her mother, but no, Stern Death, that relentless 
 'destroyer, took them both, and almost tore my bleeding heart 
 from my bosom; and now although twelve years have flown by 
 my grief is stil here at my heart. I am not what I once was, 
 ray memory is almost destroyed. I shall soon be in my resting 
 place. My greatest wish now is to be laid beside their moulder- 
 ing dust." 
 
 Such was her tale. 
 
 Sunday, 28th. Although it is Sunday the laborers are at work 
 all around us and making as much noise as though it was any 
 other day. The day is not regarded at all by most of the labor- 
 ers. 
 
 Monday, 30th. Spent the day at Mrs. Steams'. She enter- 
 tained me with a variety of interesting narratives, and if I may 
 be allowed to judge after so short acquaintance I should say that 
 I found her to be a very entertaining lady. She says that in 
 London where she was brought up a gentleman of high birth and 
 elegant figure was united to a lady of rank with an exceedingly 
 beautiful countenance. The wedding was splendid — beauty, 
 wealth, youth and the warm caresses of a vast number of friends 
 rendered the occasion one of the most joyous ever celebrated. 
 They were united, then went to their place of abode in which was 
 everything that the heart coul'd wish or the eye desire. Five 
 days did this bride spend in her splendid abode and on the sixth 
 in her husband's absence she ordered the coachman to drive her to 
 her mother, whose residence was about five miles distant. She or- 
 dered him not to reveal to any person not even his master where 
 she had gone. At length the husband came home and his wife 
 was not there to welcome him with her sweet smiles. He in- 
 quired of her servants where she was and not one of them could 
 give any account of her. At length he sent for the coachman 
 and asked him if he had driven his wife out. He could not 
 lie to his master and answered in the affirmative and that she 
 had gone to her mother's. This somewhat eased his mind sup- 
 posing that she would soon return. He waited but she did not 
 
127 
 
 come. He saddled a horse and soon arrived at his mother-in- 
 law's. 
 
 When the lady arrived at her mother's she did not wait as 
 nsnal for assistance from her servants, but with a wild counte- 
 nance she ilew up stairs to the attic and there would remain not- 
 withstanding all her mother's. efforts to the contrary; nor could 
 she be prevailed upon to relate what was the cause of her conduct, 
 although entreated and importuned by her mother, with tears in 
 her eye. All the satisfaction she would give was that her trouble 
 was of too delicate a nature for her to expose therefore the secret 
 must lie concealed in her own bosom. 
 
 The husband came and solicited an interview with his wife 
 but this was denied him, as it was her desire that upon no con- 
 dition whatever would he see her, and he was obliged to return 
 with a heavy heart without the remotest idea as to what was the 
 cause of this mysterious conduct of his adored wife. Thus they 
 remained for a long time ; at last by the advice of his friends he 
 sought for a divorce, the council was called and the parties sum- 
 moned to make a public testimony of their grievances. The wife 
 obeyed her summons; every eye was fixed upon her as the judge 
 handed her a paper that she might write what she chose. She 
 took the paper and with one stroke of her pen she made a long 
 
 dash thus then folded the sheet, and handed' it 
 
 to the judge. There was perfect silence throughout the court; 
 some were in tears,an'd' every one was listening with utmost anxie- 
 ty to hear the result; when the judge rose up and said, "Lady 
 you are at liberty to return undefiled, innocent as upon 
 your bridal day. To the husband he said, "You now may go." 
 
 The court then retired and it still remains a mystery to the 
 many but some understood what the blank sheet represented. 
 Reader do you understand it ? 
 
 One-half past 6 o'clock evening January 1st, 1846. So the 
 old year has bid us a long adieu never more to return and with 
 it has passed many a tale of sorrow as well as of joy which 
 will remain sealed in oblivion. The year was w^elcomed in by 
 me in a manner that I shall not soon forget. The day has been 
 quite warm with an occasional shower and now the eve is very 
 fine and warm enough for comfort. Mr. Chandler is now hob- 
 bling along on his crutches with a basket of wood to make the 
 morning fire with, Benjamin is down in the brig's hold scraping 
 with all his might by lamp-light as though he were at work upon 
 a wager. oSTow all this appears to me as a very foolish freak, but 
 he is bound to do so. We were invited to dine out to-day but 
 concluded it was best to stay at home. Capt. Pomeroy spent the 
 
128 
 
 afternoon with us. He is a very social man and is lying still 
 without business like all the others. It does not appear to 
 wear upon his spirits much. 
 
 Frank Soule, or Capt. Soule I should have said, is nearly ready 
 to start ; he will d(^better than many others, I suppose. Keport 
 says that he is to be married when he returns to Freeport, I don't 
 know how true it may be. 
 
 Sunday, the 4th. Went to the city and walked through 
 the burying-ground where I saw some splendid monuments 
 which have been built since I was here last spring. One 
 in particular I noticed which was erected by a wealthy man 
 for himself when his spirit leaves his tenement. It far 
 surpasses anything of the kind that I have ever before 
 seen. The pillars in front are of solid iron, the walls are 
 of brick and cemented over to resemble granite and six marble 
 slabs are inserted in the front which I suppose are for some par- 
 ticular friends as he has no children. There is one large slab on 
 the back which one of his negroes informed us was for himself 
 and the object of his lying near the ground was that he might 
 come out when he chose and go all around the monument and 
 see the flowers which are there planted. Tlie front is jutted in so 
 that it leaves quite a little room in which is an altar on which are 
 placed six wax candles beautifully decorated and a crucifix and 
 several other images and framed pictures of which I do not un- 
 derstand the interpretation. There were six chairs in the room 
 three on either side which gave him an opportunity to invite his 
 visitors to sit and rest themselves. It would almost take away the 
 gloom of dying if one coul'd lie in such a beautiful place. 
 
 Friday, the 9th. Last evening we_ took steam and left Algiers 
 and are now lying at Lafayette. This morning a new cook came 
 on board with such a funn^v^ nose. It is quite large and flatted 
 down which gives it a very curious appearance. "He says, 
 Misses, I am a stranger here and want to know if there is any 
 potatoes on board," "Oh yes," said I, "come down in the cabin 
 and I will show you where they are;" so down he came and I 
 pointed to the half deck and told him to look in a half barrel 
 and he would find some and that I had placed a board on the 
 pantry floor which was newly painted so that it should not be 
 tra(cked. "Oh yes, I'll take keer," and along he went putting his 
 his feet on the floor on both sides of the board and to my horror 
 I saw the print of them all covered with mud. So much for my 
 painting and if he is not mighty careful we may quarrel. 
 
 I have been bu^y all the forenoon scalding my pineapple pre- 
 serves and have just made two mince pies for dinner. 
 
129 
 
 Sunday, the 11th. Walked out with my parasol and found it 
 quite a necessary appendage. It was quite warm. 
 
 Tuesday, the 13th. Now we are ready to go up the river and 
 shall take steam. We are expecting to start immediately. I just 
 saw a boat which the Hon. Henry Clay was on board, but did not 
 see his honorable personage. 
 
 Wednesday morning. We are now seventy-eight miles above 
 New Orleans and shall stop at the plantation but a short time, 
 the planter having informed us that he had but a small quantity 
 of molasses for us so when we get all that he has we shall pull 
 up stakes and go to another. 
 
 Friday, the 16th. Our poor dog Jack breathed his last to- 
 day, but in what manner 1 am wilfully ignorant. I hope that 
 his remains were decently buried and if I were to write his 
 epitaph it would be thus. 
 
 Beneath this sod lies 
 
 Poor Jack 
 
 who embarked on board 
 
 the Brig Levant Kov. 1st, 1845, 
 
 to take a voyage to sea while his 
 
 master was absent a few 
 months at school. His cheerful, 
 mild and playful disposition endeared 
 him to his circle of acquaintances, but 
 ere three months had elapsed disease, that 
 relentless destroyer, had seized upon his 
 vitals and now he is no more. 
 Reader, pause and think ! ! 
 V His fate may be thine own. 
 
 Saturday, 17th. Walked to the residence of the planter. It 
 is really delightful. There is a long walk before you reach it 
 with live oak all covered with the moss which abounds in this 
 country, on each si'd'e, and I saw the oranges all around upon the 
 the ground, but they were sour, not fit to eat. 
 
 Sunday, the 18th. As there is no church near we must still 
 stay at our usual place on board the Levant. We have a gentle- 
 man caller and I will stop. 
 
 Monday, the 19th. This day, twelve month, I entered' the mat- 
 rimonial state which united my fate with another's and I have no 
 reason to regret the step which I have taken. 
 
 Tuesday, the 20th. A gentleman from Newport, Rhode Is- 
 land, has spent the most of the day with me and he appears to be 
 a very intelligent man. 
 
130 
 
 Thursday, the 22d. I have just returned from a walk about 
 a mile upon the levee. I saw an old slave sitting by the roadside 
 with her knitting work upon her lap and her pipe in her hand 
 attempting to fill it to have a smoke. So I sat down with her 
 and amused myself for a half hour in asking her questions. 
 "What do you do ?" said I. Oh, says she, "I 'do that/' pointing 
 before her to a dozen sheep who were quietly napping in the 
 shadow of a large tree, "I mind the sheep.'^ "Do you like to mind 
 the sheep ?" "Yes, when it is pleasant, but when it storms Old 
 Hannah Manning must be out when the others are sitting in 
 their cabins.'' "Have you a husband ?" "No, I have had three, 
 but the last one died two years ago." "Shall you marry again ?" 
 "Oh no, not for all the vanities of the world ! For when you get 
 a husband you don't know what he is until you have tried him, 
 then you may wish that you had never seen him." "Do you go 
 to church?" Yes; all the colored people on this plantation go 
 with the white people." "Do you think that you are good ?" "T 
 don't know that Ma'am, I try to be." "Was your husband 
 good?" "I am not capable to tell, Ma'am." "Did he use you 
 well?" "He 'did not use me as well as he might. Ma'am, — If 
 anybody is good to themselves they will be good to their wives, 
 and then they will be sure to be good to their God." "Do you 
 expect to go to heaven?" "I hope so." "Do you pray?" "I 
 can't tell that Ma'am, I don't know as I ought to pray." "Yes, 
 you may pray if you wish." "Oh, I did not know as everybody 
 might pray." These with many other questions I asked her 
 and she answered very willingly and I came away. 
 
 Saturday. Have just been out and got several branches of 
 orange trees with the fruit on them and tied them up and hung 
 them up in the cabin. They look very pretty. 
 
 Sunday, the 25th. I am all alone. B has gone to Orleans. 
 Mr. Chandler is ashore so I have the time to muse about matters 
 and things. I feel quite lonely and do not know how to pass 
 the time for reading old books and old newspapers is rather dull 
 music, so I will sit very straight in my rocking chair and per- 
 form the Ma'd'ame to perfection. 
 
 Tuesday, the 27th. This day about noon B returned and 
 brought news that we should return to the city and discharge 
 what molasses we have on board. 
 
 Thursday, the 28th. We now are going down the river by 
 steam and we have a beautiful prospect of the plantations as 
 we pass, some of which are really beautiful. Occasionally we 
 s^ee an old woman by the river washing clothes in a washtub of 
 
131 
 
 nature's own forming ( the river), and just now I saw a curly- 
 headed negro child sitting down and apparently enjoying him- 
 self. Saw mills are plentiful on the river and orange trees in 
 abundance, but the most of the trees are sour and very unpalate- 
 able. The steamboats pass proudly by, leaving the river in a 
 terrible commotion, and such a shaking as they gave us ! 
 
 Friday, the 29th. Here we are at the wharf again and I am 
 all alone again. Capt. B. Prince called yesterday. "Oh, bless 
 your old heart," he says, "how glad I am to see some one from 
 North Yarmouth again." 
 
 Saturday, the 30th. Almost 'discharged again. A very queer 
 voyage indeed, — and now we are bound to Cuba and shall start by 
 the middle of next week if nothing prevents. I have been quite 
 busily employed to-day in drawing an amusement which I have 
 resumed after neglecting it for a long time. My specimens are 
 now quite faulty, but I hope to improve by practise. 
 
 Sunday, Feb. 8th. At sea again and I have enjoyed the com- 
 forts of seasickness for two days, but now am quite well again. 
 Shall soon be in Cardenas if the wind continues favorable. Our 
 passengers, Mr. Locklin and Mr. Devine, are on deck trying ta 
 take a look into futurity by the assistance of a fortune tell-er. I 
 think that Mr. Locklin has ascertained something which is very 
 soul satisfying by some remarks which just dropped from his 
 ftps. B is eating an apple and I must have a bite. 
 
 Tuesday, the 10th. We are safe in Cardenas and came in, too, 
 without a pilot, which is more than a great many captains woul'd 
 dare to do. It is delightful weather, the thermometer is at 79 
 at 9 o'clock this morning, and it really seems like a June morn- 
 ing at the North. We lay off from the city about a mile and 
 have a fresh sea breeze every afternoon 
 
 Wednesday, the 11th. This morning Capt. Everett (the man 
 that we sailed in company from N. Orleans with), was on board 
 andj I offered him my parasol as he was about leaving, but he 
 refused it. I do not think he will have the same offer again. 
 
 We have a French cook and such a flying creature I hardly 
 ever saw. He undertook to wash my stateroom floor this morn- 
 ing and such a splashing of water and such a scrubbing with the 
 brush this cabin hardly ever before witnessed, and after he had 
 splashed about half a pailful of water on the floor B came and 
 wanted breakfast so he was obliged to scrabble up what he could 
 and finish after we had breakfasted, w^hich he did in a trice with 
 a handled mop. It is not half -washed now but it must answer 
 for the present. 
 
182 
 
 Thursday, the 12th. A fruit man came on board and gave me 
 a dozen oranges, very large and nice. I suppose that he thinks 
 to buy our custom while in port. 
 
 Friday, the 13th. The fruit man has been here again and has 
 given me a small box of guava jelly. The weather is very warm, 
 the men are loading the vessel and look as though they are half 
 roa&ted. I sit the most of the time in a hammock on deck which 
 I enjoy much, I have not been ashore yet, but feel quite im- 
 patient to go. 
 
 Saturday, the 14th. Eose this morning at half past five 
 and went on deck ; the air was 'damp and raw so was obliged to 
 wrap myself in a shawl for comfort. I walked deck for a few 
 moments then employed myself in lining a hat for B while he 
 and the men had gone ashore for a lighter load of molasses. He 
 soon returned and now the sun has shown its face in majestic 
 glory and I must throw my shawl aside until the sun shuts its 
 beams in deep night. 
 
 Sunday, the 15th. Have been ashore and was much better 
 pleased with the place than I anticipated. I saw sev- 
 eral new buildings which were not wholloy completed, among 
 which was a Catholic church, which will be a splendid 
 church when finished. The platform on which the pulpit and 
 several small rooms were, is of white marble, as are also the 
 steps which ascend to them. I think this must cost an immense 
 sum. We extended our walk a short distance into the country. 
 The foliage of the shrubbery was of a beautiful green, the soil of 
 a brick color which made a contrast which was truly pleasing. 
 
 Thursday, the 19th. It is a warm day and I spend my time 
 very idly having but little else to 'd'o excepting to wash my hands 
 which are soon daubed up again with molasses. A person that 
 has never been in the molasses business cannot imagine how un- 
 ])leasant it is to have everything, even the chairs, covered with it. 
 However this will soon be over with. 
 
 February 22d. Dined at Mr. Lovit's with about fifty others. 
 However there were but three other women excepting myself. 
 We left the company at dark and came oi> board. Since I have 
 heard that they spent the night in drinking and carousing. 
 Such are the cold water people when they get away from home. 
 
 Friday, the 27th. I have just finished the ninth pair of 
 stockings which I have knit for B since we have been married. 
 T like knitting work when I am at sea, it is very handy arid serves 
 CO employ my mind. 
 
 We are ready to sail and shall go to-morrow if the wind and 
 
133 
 
 A^eather permit and I have made up my mind to enjoy a few 
 days of seasickness, which in all probability will last more than 
 a few. Capt. Everett brought me a pailful of oranges this 
 morning now there are but two left. Cardenas is a small but 
 growing place, there is one quite pretty street which runs through 
 the place on which the shops are situated. It is really amusing 
 lo see the dishes, cups, saucers, platters and everything of the 
 kind all displayed for show. 
 
 Saturday, the 28th. This morning sailed for Boston in com- 
 pany with several vessels, and as our vessel is a very dull sailer 
 I suppose that we shall not be the first arrival 
 
 Tuesday, March 10th. I have been sick every day since we 
 sailed until to-day. We are getting along slowly but hope to be 
 safe there by next Sunday. If we do it, it will be a fair passage. 
 Before leaving Cardenas we purchased some oranges, now they 
 are half rotten. I hope that we shall be able to get some of 
 them home. 
 
 Wednesday, the 11th. This morning spoke a pilot boat and 
 got a newspaper, a rare thing to get news at sea. It is very 
 moderate and pleasant. 
 
 Saturday, the 14th. Arrived last night and now are at the 
 wharf, feeling very thankful that we are safe at Boston once 
 more. We surely have escaped the dangers of the sea while 
 others have perished. 
 
 Sunday Morning, the 15th. Have been to hear a Bethel min- 
 ister preach. His hearers were rather scarce. 
 
 Afternoon. Heard Father Taylor. Think him a very sin- 
 gular preacher, very strange gestures and ideas. I do not 
 thinkvhis preaching very profitable although he has a large con- 
 gregation. He may go to heaven, but if so, I do not think many 
 others surely will. 
 
 Monday, the 16th. Have been shopping and now have stopped 
 at Mr. Fogg's, where we shall remain until we set sail again for 
 St. Jago de Cuba. 
 
 Wednesday, the 18th. Have heard from home and find that 
 ma.tters and things move on' the same old way. 
 
 Sunday Evening, the 22d. Have heard a temperance discourse 
 and some singing by Coeval and Cook which I suppose they think 
 excellent, but not so with me. Cook opened his mouth so far 
 that I was really afraid the top of his head would come off, and 
 as for the lecturer, he ought to have been hissed out of the house. 
 He said that no person ever knew a mean, low-lived man to be a 
 drunkard. It took a whole souled, good feeling, generous man 
 
134 
 
 to make a drunkard, and surely ar drunkard ought to be made 
 much of. If any person in the world was entitled to respect, it 
 was he. 
 
 Monday. Went to the Museum and saw the play "The Six 
 Degrees of Crime'' performed. 
 
 Saturday, March 28, 18-16. Brig Levant bound to St. Jago de 
 Cuba. 
 
 We are once more embarked on a voyage to the West In- 
 dies and whether we shall ever return is only known to the Ruler 
 of the skies. 
 
 Sunday, the 29th. Have not been sick yet, which is something 
 very unusual for me. We have a new mate and steward. The 
 latter came on board drunk and is not much better to-dav. 
 He appears very stupid. 
 
 Monday, March 30th. Commenced sewing which I like much 
 better than sitting still. 
 
 Tuesday, the 31st. ■ A fair wind and the brig is trotting along 
 at her usual rate. We hope to make the passage in fifteen days. 
 
 Wednesday, April 1st. Have taken the stove down and do not 
 expect to need it again till next winter. There is a decided dif- 
 ference in the state of the weather since yesterday. To-day we 
 are in the gulf which makes it much warmer and hope in a few 
 more days to be where it is never known to be cold. Feel a little 
 sick and must quit. 
 
 Sunday, April 5th. We have had one continual fair wind 
 scarcely varying a point since we came out, and we go ahead 
 finely which is really delightful. We now are in Lat. 26.31, 
 Long. 71.25, and hope to be near Turks Island passage very 
 soon. It is now quite warm enough for comfort, but I do oc- 
 casionally cast a lingering thought to the cold regions of the 
 North, which we so lately left, and imagine the inhabitants half 
 shivering before the fire. 
 
 Sunday evening. Some of the brightest meteors exploded that 
 I ever witnessed. It lighted up the heavens much brighter than 
 the mid-dav sun. 
 
 Tuesday, the 7th. Spoke brig Florence, Capt. Pote, with loss 
 of deck load and likewise the captain's only brother. He id 
 bound for St. Jago and we shall hear the particulars when we 
 arrive there. We are just leaving Turks Island with a fair wind. 
 
 Thursday the 9th. Arrived this morning after a passage of 
 eleven days, and now the city of St. Jago lies before me in all its 
 glory. 
 
 Evening. Have been ashore and taken a view of the city. 
 
135 
 
 The square before the Governor's house is finely laid out, and 
 it is beautifully refreshing to walk through it and see the flowers 
 and bright foliage of the trees, and hear the falling of the water 
 from a marble fountain in the center, which, mingled with the 
 voices of hundreds which promenade the walks, and with the 
 shouts of martial music w^hich are i^ealed forth from a band, 
 made me almost imagine myself in a fairyland. After walking 
 and seeing until my feet and eyes were tired we seated our- 
 selves upon one of the seats which surrounded the square and 
 noted the various shades of complexion from the almost ivory 
 black to the European white. The contrast was truly striking. 
 After resting we then visited the Catholic churches which were 
 illuminated with thousands of lighted wax candles. There we 
 saw the image of our Savior extended upon the cross with the 
 blood trickling from his wounds. The two Marys were there, 
 and before them, upon beautifully tufted mats, were kneeling 
 the females muttering audibly their prayers, then rising to make 
 room for the others which were pressing their wa}- through 
 the crowd to perform their vows. The church was decorated with 
 artificial roses of a hundred hues and va^es with a variety of other 
 flowers in profuse numbers. I noticed as we entered that every 
 lady threw her veil over her head. I suppose that it was wicked 
 to enter with an uncovered head. They wear no bonnets, simply 
 a veil. As I had a cap on they made no objection to my enter- 
 ing without a veil. At the door sat a little boy, a piece of money 
 in his fingers which he kept constantly dropping in a glass plate, 
 which made quite a noise, and at the same time uttering some- 
 thing in Spanish, which, upon inquiry I found to be "Behold the 
 Man." . This ceremon}^ was to entice people to give something 
 as they passed him, but I think that he di'd not get much as I 
 saw only one quarter of a dollar in his plate. The priests 
 with their robes were walking back and forth with not very 
 sanctified faces, and should think they did not feel as solemn 
 as did their audience. The altar of the cathederal, I was in- 
 formed, is overlaid with pure silver, and cost the immense sum 
 of seventy thousand dollars. Upon one of the walls was a 
 representation of hell, in which were priests as well as others, 
 and at the top were angels of mercy with cords suspended to 
 the bottom for the poor wretches to grasp to assist them out of 
 purgatory. After seeing all that was to be seen we then left the 
 devotees at their worship, and went to the quay and stepped in 
 our boat and the sailors pulled to our vessel home. 
 
 Friday Morning, the 10th. This morning Capt. Mabee and 
 
136 
 
 la'dy came on board to spend the day. Never saw either of them 
 before. Afternoon went ashore again to witness some of the 
 Catholic performance, which was the burial of Christ. 
 
 His body was taken from the church and placed upon pillow^s 
 in a kind of a hearse, which was borne by slaves. Upon each 
 corner of the hearse were images and in the hands of one was a 
 reed with a sponge on the end of it to represent that which was 
 given to Christ when he was crucified. His body had a very 
 ghastly, deathly appearance, and it really gave me unpleasant 
 feelings to see the blood all mixed with his hair around his fore- 
 head, which had been pierced with thorns. The nostrils were 
 likewise covered with blood, but the rest of the body was cov- 
 ered with a beautifully wrought canopy, wrought with silver and 
 gold. A long procession followed his body. First came the 
 twelve Apostles with lighted candles in their hands; then the 
 Monks, or Doctors of Divinitv, with their cowls and black silk 
 garments all of such a length that boys were employed to walk at 
 the distance of ten feet behind them with the end of the robes tied 
 around their bodies to keep them from the ground. Then 
 followed the Virgin Mary in a standing position upon some- 
 thing similar to that in which Christ was carried. As we were 
 standing and seeing with all curiosity imaginable, one of the 
 priests bustled up to Benjamin with his eyes wide open with 
 absolute horror, and pointing up to his ^ hat which he had on his 
 head, said something in his language which meant take off your 
 hat, which B quickly complied with, fearing, I suppose, that if 
 he did not that it might be taken off without further ceremony. 
 
 As soon as the Virgin came along they prostrated themselves 
 and muttered their prayers. Such a buzzing as they made ! 
 Then followed a whole regiment of soldiers in uniform and a 
 bajid of music, playing a solemn tune, but in the midst of 
 their prayers and music came a shower of rain, and such 
 a screeching and scampering I never before saw; it was 
 not more than two minutes before the streets were entire- 
 ly deserted. However, the shower was not of long dura- 
 tion, and I suppose that they soon collected again. We 
 then took ourselves away, and on our way back we made a call 
 upon a Spanish family that we met. In the family was a very 
 sociable young man who had spent two years in New York and 
 Boston. He said he liked the people much and would like to 
 spend his days there. 
 
 Sunday, the 11th. Calculated to go and see the resurrection, 
 but did not arrive early enough. It is a beautiful morning. 
 The thermometer stands at 80 in the cabin, but notwithstanding 
 
137 
 
 this it is cool enough for comfort. Last evening was one of the 
 most beautiful evenings that can be imagined; the round, full 
 moon made it almost as light as day, and such a beautiful, clear 
 air as we never have at the North made it truly delightful. 
 
 Wednesday, the 14th. Eose this morning at five o'clock and 
 refreshed mvself with a salt water bath then 'dressed mvself for 
 the day. Our vessel now lays at the quay and the cargo is com- 
 ing out ; we shall spend more than a week at this place, but as it 
 is very healthy I do not much regret it, as it will give me a better 
 opportunity of seeing more of the manners and customs of the 
 people. 
 
 Friday, the 16th. We are now ready to take a pilot and start 
 for Manzanillo. The mosquitoes are so thick that I cannot 
 write. 
 
 Sunday. We are passing slowly along the island of Cuba, and 
 as far as the eye can reach there is nothing to be seen except 
 one continued mass of mountains and deep ravines. Some of 
 the highest mountains are covered with clouds. Among them 
 is the peak of Tarquino, which is the highest land that I have 
 ever seen. 
 
 Monday, the 19th. Very calm and excessively hot and sultry 
 with scarcely a breath of air, the thermometer standing at 89. At 
 half past one o'clock we saw a Manzanillo pilot boat a short 
 distance ahead, and accordingly the foreyard was backed and 
 after some pulling and hauling the pilot succeeded in getting 
 alongside and seizing a rope which the mate had thrown him. 
 He came on board (not until his boat was hoisted in, however). 
 B told him to take his station where pilots generally do, but he 
 appeared very angry and said that was not his place, so he has 
 concluded to stay forward. Well, 'tis no matter as he is rather a 
 low bred Spaniard and we do not wish his company much. 
 
 Wednesday, the 21st. Arrived at Manzanillo last evening at 
 eight o'clock and anchored a half of a mile from the shore, but 
 as it was dark I could see nothing of the place, excepting lights 
 in various directions, and I noticed one larger and more brilliant 
 than the rest, which the pilot informied me was built by the 
 soldiers. 
 
 This morning I rose and went on deck to take a view of Man- 
 zanillo, which is a very small town, I should Judge not more than 
 an hun'dted buildings of quite an ancient appearance. Some of 
 the buildings were painted a light blue, which seems to be a 
 favorite color of the Spanish. About seven o'clock a boat came 
 alongside in which were the visiting officers. They came below 
 and after looking at the manifest which B had they said that 
 
138 
 
 they must be altered. Accordingly, B sat down and made out the 
 new ones which seemed to quiet them. One old man who saw 
 me sitting in the stateroom, said, "You have a passenger.'' B 
 said it was his wife. "Well, she is the same as a passenger." 
 After some talk they concluded that I could go ashore without 
 a passport. I should have laughed outright if they had made 
 B get a passport for me. They then took their leave. B had 
 to be presented to the governor before entering the vessel and T 
 suppose he made his best bow. 
 
 Friday, the 24th. The brig is now discharged and we have 
 taken forty hogsheads of molasses, and shall in all probability be 
 ready to start for home again by the last of next week. I have 
 not been ashore yet and suppose that I shall not go till Sunday, 
 as business is very pressing. 
 
 Saturday, the 25th. There is no American vessel in port but 
 there is one coming this morning and she is proudly waving her 
 ensign in the breeze. Where ever you meet with Americans you 
 will surely find them proud to show their colors, — ^yes, Americans 
 will not deny their country like the men of many other nations. 
 Liberty is their pride, their glory. W^ho doubts it ? 
 
 Sunday, the 26th. A calm, clear and beautiful morning such 
 as we have at the North in July. 1 have spent an hour since 
 breakfast under the awning on deck watching the scenery 
 around me. The swallows, (dear little birds), come flitting 
 around our masts and singing in the very joyousness of their 
 hearts, and I do really think from their appearance that they 
 have some idea of buikling som<ewhere in the- top, and of taking 
 a passage to the States with us. I should be delighted if they 
 would. Pelicans are very plenty here ; they rise in the air quite 
 high then drop their wings, and dive into the water out of sight 
 and swallow the fish without mercy. I just noticed one sitting 
 proudly on the water and turning herself majestically around, 
 v/hich seemed to put all the finny tribe at defiance, then spread- 
 ing her prodigious wings she would lift herself gracefully over 
 the water until she found more prey to glut her voracious ap- 
 petite. They come quite near the brig but will fly upon the least 
 noise, whch shows that they have the fear of man about them. 
 
 The men have been amusing themselves catching small fish 
 and now they are washing, shaving and cutting their hair, etc., 
 etc. I do not know what Benjamin and the mate are about. 
 
 Monday. Went ashore yesterday and after walking through a 
 cocoa tree grove, we took our way through the town and almost 
 the first object that greeted mjy eye was a mother sitting at the 
 door of her dwelling caressing her infant about six months old. 
 
139 
 
 The child was as naked' as when it was born with the exception 
 of a string of gold beads around its neck. The mother was 
 apparently as fond and as proud of her child as the American 
 mother is of hers. Then a little farther on, was a naked boy, 
 who, I should judge, was four or five years old, with a pair of 
 new shoes in which he strutted with manly pride. Then a little 
 girl made her appearance who might be a 3^ear older than the 
 boy. She did try to hide her naked image by squatting down be- 
 tween two others and showing her wooly head above the others' 
 shoulders and satisfying her curiosity b}' gazing at us as long as 
 she pleased. Such a head of hair ! It was about four inches in 
 length and of the color of an old black sheep which was much 
 faded, and standing erect all over her head. Poor child ! In all 
 probability she is a slave for life. The natives seemed to think 
 that we were made to be looked at as they gazed until we met 
 them and then would turn and look at us until we were out of 
 sight, and I could hear them say as we passed "English, — En- 
 glish,^' — which was quite a mistake. 
 
 They apparently make no differance whether it is the Sab- 
 bath or not, their work goes on the same. I passed a shoe store 
 and at the d'oor sat two females upon the ground making some 
 beautiful green satin shoes. They looked up as we passed and 
 made some remarks in Spanish which I could not understand. 
 The most of them are very slovenly about their person excepting 
 when they walk out. Their dresses are often all open at the 
 back and off both shoulders, leaving their waists almost naked. 
 But some of them had modesty enough to haul their dresses up 
 arid cover their shoulders as we passed. They spend the most of 
 their time smoking and sleeping. They do not read for amuse- 
 ment, no^ educate their females farther than to read and write 
 and count, which are great acquirements for a Spanish lady. 
 They dress elegantly when they appear abroad or at their Cath- 
 olic performances. 
 
 Wednesday, the 29th. This has been a very warm day and we 
 have been taking in palm leaf which makes 8uch a dust that we 
 are obliged to keep the cabin windows closed. Accordingly, the 
 air is ver}^ close. I have spent the most of the day on deck and 
 since dinner have refreshed myself with a most profound nap 
 in the hammock which I properly secured last evening with a 
 strong rope as a preventive against another fall. 
 
 Friday, May 1st. And so this is May day at home, as I used to 
 call it, when in my youthful years I rose at dawn and scram- 
 bled over fences and up hills and down 'dales to find a new born 
 flower, the first of the spring, perchance, showing its modest head 
 
140, 
 
 above a snow drift. Oh, with what childish glee did I grasp the 
 fragile thing and well secure it between my finger and thumb and 
 range on after some more. After rambling the fields all over I 
 would return home with my frock drabbled up to my knee, and 
 expect (if I did not get) a severe reprimand from mother. Once 
 I well recollect a plot contrived between Sister Lydia and M. D. 
 to awake us early in the morning, which was a rope tied to a 
 chair which sat directlv under our chamber window near our bed, 
 and suspended out of the window so that M could reach it ; and 
 such a shaking as she did give it in the morning ! ! We did 
 surely awake and dressed ourselves as quickly as possible and' 
 hurried out of the house as easily as possible, fearing that we 
 might awake Catherine and Eliza. This would not answer, for 
 we knew well enough they would wish to accompany us, which we 
 did not want. So we went a-Maying, but some of the company 
 was not agreeable to us so we separated from them and spent the 
 rest of the time by ourselves. 
 
 May 1st. We are loaded with the exception of a few more 
 sticks of mahogany and shall probably sail to-morrow. 
 
 Sunday, the 3d. At sea once more. We are passing slowly in 
 the same track we came in. I should like it much if we could 
 make as quick passage home as we did out, but do not expect it. 
 It is now quarter past five o'clock and B is still sleeping. The 
 mate is washing deck and I am writing this journal. 
 
 Monday, the 4th. Our pilot saw fit to come to anchor last 
 night and accordingly did not leave till this morning. It has 
 been quite calm this day so far, and we make but little progress. 
 T don't think of anything worth recording to-day. 
 
 Sunday, the 10th. We have had a very violent squall to-day 
 so that all of the sails had to be furled excepting the f orespencer ; 
 but it was of short duration and did no damage beyond splitting 
 the jib. I was shut up in the cabin in the meantime to keep 
 myself out of the rain, and amused myself by looking out of the 
 window to see the men run and pull and haul the ropes. The 
 poor wretches were wet through to the skin, and indeed some of 
 them needed a good washing if one can Judge by the color of the 
 skin. 
 
 It is now very moderate and we have made slow progress 
 since we sailed. Last night we passed Cape Antonio 
 
 Saturday, the 16th. Such a night as last night was ! ! Such 
 'd'eep rolls as the vessel gave I never before witnessed. I was 
 obliged to hold on to my bed with all my strength to keep myself 
 from tumbling out on the floor, and once was in the very act of 
 falling, but saved myself at the imminent danger of breaking my 
 
arm. It being quite warm, B composed himself to sleep on 
 a mattress upon the floor, and in the midst of a most profound 
 nap he was awakened by something near his head ; upon exami- 
 nation it proved to be the upsetting of a jar of honey. He found 
 his head and pillow completely immersed in it. A sweet time, 
 ind'eed ! All of three quarts of honey floating around his head. 
 However, he was not thus to be cheated out of his nap. He 
 threw his pillow one side and moved his mattress a little and 
 on he slept "till morning light appeared," which showed his 
 sweet bed. 
 
 I think that there must have been a violent gale somewhere 
 to make such a confounded heavy sea as there was. 
 
 I was called on deck this morning to see what I never before 
 saw, viz: a waterspout, which is a column of water extending 
 from the ocean to the clouds. It had ascended part way up 
 when I first saw it and continued to go very rapidly until it was 
 out of sight in the clouds. It was not apparently of very great 
 magnitude, but as we were some distance from it, I could not 
 rightly judge. I have often heard of them breaking upon ves- 
 sels and sinking them immediately. 
 
 Saturday, the 23d. Yesterday I amused' myself by sitting on 
 deck and watching the whales in various directions. They rose 
 to the surface of the water and spouted, then dove d'own out of 
 sight again. They look very large at a distance. 
 
 This morning I went on deck and noticed a difference in the 
 water and concluded that we were on sounding. I inquired of 
 B if it was not so and ascertained that it was the case. I hope 
 that we shall soon be safe in Boston. 
 
 Sunday, the 24th. Last night was a terrible night, — foggy, 
 torrents \)f rain, thurid'er and chain lightning in abundance, 
 and so dark that you could scarcely see your hand before you. 
 We were in the South channel, too ! It was a night of anxiety 
 to B. I lay in my bed with all the confidence in the world, 
 thinking that if we were in danger any person could get 
 out of he was the person. And in the midst of my cogita- 
 tions he came and called me to see what is called a corposant, 
 which was a body of light attached to the ball at the top of the 
 mainmast. I threw my cloak over my nightdress and went on 
 deck and saw it. It was not so bright as I imagined. They 
 often make their appearance during a gale of wind, but when 
 they take their station low the gale is on the increase, and they 
 continue to rise until it is at its height. Then they stop. But 
 as this was as high as it could get, we did not fear the wind's 
 blowing any harder than it then did. I was quite surprised at 
 
142 
 
 the appearance of the water, which was of a luminous appear- 
 ance resembling one vast sheet of fire lashed into foaming waves 
 by the wind. I took one look, then went to bed again thinking 
 what a "^terrible night this is." 
 
 This morning the wind is heading us off our course, and it 
 is still thick fog with the wind at the north. I suppose that we 
 are in the vicinity of Cape Cod and shall probably see it if the 
 weather clears up. I hope this will be the case, for I do feel 
 some anxiety to get in once more. 
 
 Monday, the 25th. We are still becalmed and are banging 
 about in the fog; we ought to have been in before this, and 
 would have been if we had any kind of a chance at all. 
 
 I have been talking for a whole hour with B as fast as my 
 tongue could run and all that I could get out of him is"Yes," 
 "No." I suppose that he is tired enough of my gab, and I will 
 now desist long enough to give him a little rest. 
 
 The wind has been northwest these two 'days, and still there 
 is a thick fog. Who ever heard the like before ! I think that 
 nature, or something else, must have imade an alteration in 
 the fog-box down East and carried it to the N^orth. If so, I 
 do most heartily wish that some one would sit on the cover and 
 keep it forever closed. 
 
 Thursday morning, the 29th. AVe at last succeeded in getting 
 to Boston. Arrived last night at nine o'clock and the first news 
 we heard was "War, War," — a thing which I had scarcely 
 thought of for two months. 
 
 Tuesday, January 19, 1847. The wind is blowing very fresh 
 and the barometer is falling. There is every appearance of 
 heavy weather. 
 
 Wednesday, the 20th. We have now a perfect gale of wind ; 
 the brig is doing her best under double reefed sails, and in all 
 probability we shall be obliged to heave to. 
 
 Thursday, the 21st. Still a gale ; the water is all over the deck 
 making a great swashing, arid lias put the cook's fire out in the 
 galley. He has given up cooking for the present.. The sea 
 strikes the vessel with tremendous force. 
 
 Friday, the 22d. The gale has not abated yet; the sea at 
 times making a complete breach over us. 
 
 Saturday, the 23d. Last night a sea struck us at the stern 
 with such force that it stove the boat all in splinters. This 
 morning another broke off one of the ring bolts in the deck, 
 which the wheel block was attached to, and it is now secured by a 
 
 rope. 
 
 Sunday, the 24th. This morning the cook succeeded in get- 
 
143 
 
 ting a lire in the galley, the first time for thirty-six hours, and 
 he has got some breakfast, but the sea has not abated much. 
 
 Monday, the 25th. Oh, for one fair day! Everything is all 
 up in arms; the table is upside down and the floor continually 
 wet. The water every moment comes down the companionway 
 in torrents. Heavy seas are still coming over us, and I have my 
 fears that we shall never reach our place of destination in safety. 
 
 Tuesday, the 26th. The sea has somewhat abated and the 
 barometer indicates a change. 
 
 Wednesday, the 27th. Another gale still worse. The sea 
 strikes us with tremendous force and has broken the main rail 
 and stove in the monkey rail. I am afraid that we shall be stove 
 all to pieces. It makes me tremble. The galley is stove in and 
 no more cooking for the nresent. Obliged to heave to again. 
 Oh, dear ! 
 
 Thursday, the 28th. Awoke this morning and the sun was 
 shining, sweet harbinger of fair weather. The sea has gone 
 down some, so that, I went on deck for the first time since we 
 came out. The galley has been removed to the long boat and the 
 cook has commenced operations again. I do hope that we shall 
 get something to eat now. Yesterday I took the carpet from 
 our stateroom floor just as wet as water could make it, and' I 
 had been sitting upon it for hours before I knew that it was wet, 
 such was the state of my feelings. To-day I have had it washed, 
 and some of the things put in their proper places, which gives 
 an air of comfort, — a thing we scarcely thought of since we 
 sailed. 
 
 Friday, the 29th. Quite smooth and comfortable, but I fear 
 it will terminate in another gale. I never in my life knew what 
 it was to^ be so utterly uncomfortable as I have been since we 
 left New York, but I feel much better now. 
 
 Saturday, the 30th. This morning while I was making my 
 toilet I heard the cheering cry of "Sail 0,'' which proved to be the 
 ship Lady Caroline, bound for St. John, l^ew Brunswick. B 
 ordered our brig to be luffed up, and we came within speaking 
 distance and exchanged Lat. and Long. This is the second 
 vessel that we have seen since our departure from our native 
 land. It was really grateful to my feelings to see a vessel and 
 to know that there are still some human beings upon the ocean 
 waves besides ourselves, — soiue that are exposed to the raging 
 elements. 
 
 We are really having quite a comfortable time now, just 
 about wind enough to go at the rate of five or six knots per 
 hour, and we are now within seven hundred miles of our desti- 
 
144 
 
 nation. Oh, that we might have a favorable chance the rest of 
 the time, and we shall soon be there ! I think that our poor 
 sailors will be glad for they have been wet a great part of the 
 time until the last two days. 
 
 Sunday, the 31st. Still pleasant and quite comfortable, and 
 we are going along at quite a decent rate. We have breakfasted 
 and now are ready to commence the Sabbath. 
 
 Thursday, February 4th. We are now within a hundred 
 miles of Sligo with a fair wind and pleasant sky. There is 
 a bright sunshine, which is a great satisfaction after such se- 
 vere weather as we have had for the most of the time since we 
 sailed. 
 
 .Have employed myself for the last two days at shell work 
 which is my first attempt at anything of the kind, and I succeed 
 tolerably well. It serves for a change which I find quite neces- 
 sary to relieve the dull monotony of a seafaring life. 
 
 Friday, February 5th. My birthday. Thirty-three years of 
 my life gone, — fled forever. 
 
 The weather looks rather threatening and the mate and men 
 are employed in sending down the topgallant yard and mast, mak- 
 ing preparation for another gale, which will be very bad as we are 
 so near the land. 
 
 Monday, the 8th. Still nothing to be seen but the eternal, 
 raging x\tlantic, the murky clouds and an angry sky. Our poor 
 brig is trembling and shivering with the raging elements, at 
 times almost driven under by their force, and then raised on 
 the top of a mountain (as it were). Then it is hurled dowa 
 again making every movable thing on board shake and quiver. 
 And where am I in the midst of this war with the elements? 
 I am standing up, and by bracing myself and holding on with 
 all my might, writing the few ideas that come out of my cranium. 
 I am so seasick. Oh, dear me ! When shall we get to the land 
 of Erin ? I hope to-morrow that my eyes will behold the place. 
 Won't that be delightful ! Oh, dear. 
 
 Yes, in truth I can truly say 
 
 "I'm on the sea, I'm on the sea. 
 Where I again would never be — 
 With the clouds above and the waves below 
 And the angry winds, where'er I go ; 
 Much, care I, for the mighty deep ; 
 While I in danger lie and sleep." 
 
 Tuesday, the 9th. Last night about eleven o'clock the wind 
 commenced blowing a gale again. The mate called B and they 
 
145 
 
 immediately took off sail and hauled the brig off of the land for 
 fear that we might be so near as to endanger us, as the wind was 
 blowing us directly oh. This morning while I was in my berth 
 thinking about rising, and the mate was making preparations 
 for a fire in the cabin and B was dressing, the man at the wheel 
 cried out "Land, !" Whereupon the mate left hatchet and 
 kindling wood, B left stockings and jacket, and ran up to see 
 which way it bore. They judged it to be about fifteen miles 
 distant and accordingly wore ship, and are now hauling off as 
 much as possible. 
 
 But whether we shall keep off or be driven ashore is yet un- 
 certain. Oh, that this raging wind and sea would lull ! The 
 cabin floor is all wet with water and it is of no use to wipe it 
 up as long as the waves are continually coming over us and 
 running down the companionway by the bucketful. Is this the 
 life of a sailor? To be tossed upon the ocean day and night 
 unceasingly? To be completely drenched to the skin and' stand 
 at the wheel with boots full of water two mortal hours — to be 
 cold and hungry — to be called out from sleep, perhaps from a 
 wet bed, and be sent aloft to reef the sails when the wind is 
 threatening every moment to throw you from the yard. Yes, 
 all this for a little money to be spent as soon as they arrive in 
 port for liquor, or some worse way if possible. 
 
 Afternoon. The wind has not abated much yet, and through- 
 out the day we have had squall after squall with wind enough 
 to tear every sail to pieces if they were not fortunately of new 
 canvas. Sometimes the hail stones are larger than peas, and 
 come with such force as almost to cut our faces. We have been 
 under close reefs all day trying to keep off the land and now 
 think w6 shall succeed. There have been three vessels in sight 
 in the same situation as ourselves. This evening, the brig in an 
 angry moment, made a mad plunge under the waves and in the 
 action burst one of the sails which was accordingly brought down 
 stowed away. We now, instead of nearing our port, are striving 
 with every possible exertion to get away from it, and it is almost 
 enough to make one's heart sink within him to be in this situa- 
 tion. The vessel plunging, diving, the wind roaring, striving, 
 the barometer down to a strong breeze mark, and even the very 
 heavens seem to scowl upon us. But occasionally through the 
 day the sun has shown his glorious face to give us a clearer view 
 of our horrible situation, and then withdrawn again, leaving us 
 in deeper gloom as if in very mockery. It shrouds us in dark- 
 ness almost perceptible to the touch. How many times through 
 the day has B consulted the barometer and then turned away 
 
146 
 
 with a deep drawn sigh saying, "Oh, that the barometer would 
 rise !" I never felt so anxious to see that rise before in my life 
 as 1 do now. Then he puts on his sou'wester and goes on deck, 
 looking very sad, sad indeed. When will this be over? 
 
 Wednesday, the 10th. Here we have been knocking about 
 three days trying to get in, and I am now so cross that it is quite 
 an exertion for me to speak civilly to anyone. As this morning 
 looked rather flattering, the reef was taken out of the mainsail^ 
 and before two hours expired there came up a tremendous 
 squall and it was reefed again. It is of no use; I tell B that 
 we shall be obliged to go back again, there is no prospect of our 
 getting in as I can see ; we are now no nearer than we were sev- 
 eral days ago. If we only had decent weather it would not seem 
 (|uite so harrassing, but as it is, it is trying indeed. B was 
 'dteading this all the way here and fretted considerable about it, 
 but now we are really in the situation, he bears it more patiently 
 than I do. So it sometimes is in this life that imaginary trou- 
 bles are not borne with so much fortitude as real ones. 
 
 Thursday, the 11th. No material change yet. The wind 
 ahead, the land in sight and about the same distance it has 
 been these three days. We are obliged to stand off from it and 
 that has kept us just about so for three days. 
 
 Saturday, the 13th. Our hopes were raised to quite a high 
 pitch last night thinking that we should' be close in to the land 
 this morning, and that we should finally anchor in Sligo bay, 
 but as daylight approached, we found that the current had 
 drifted us during the night away to the leeward of our port, and 
 we had nothing to do but just beat back again against wind 
 and tide. After beating for six hours the sky grew dark, the 
 wind howled fearfully, thg big drops of rain fell, and we were 
 obliged to keep off again as much as possible for fear of being 
 driven ashore. Oh, to have our hopes blasted thus, after so many 
 day of anxiety and toil and trouble. When, oh when, will this 
 be over, shall we ever arrive in safety? 
 
 Sundav, the 14th. AVe are now farther off than we have been 
 for some days. It really seems as though we were doomed to 
 be eternally sailing around this place and never to arrive. The 
 barometer is now at 29 3-10, and the brig is under close reefs 
 and I am heart sick. 
 
 Yesterday, after we gave up all hope of getting in, I "turned 
 in" and thought that I would lie there until we got somewhere, 
 and there I lay until my head ached as though it would split, so 
 T was obliged to rise in spite of my resolutions to the contrary. 
 
147 
 
 If we remain on the ocean much longer we shall be entirely out 
 of fire wood. 
 
 This is the fourth Sunday that we have been upon the mighty 
 deep, and is it strange that I should forget the day? This 
 morning I took my knitting to beguile an hour, but soon the mate 
 said, "I think you have forgotten what day it is Mrs. Webster," 
 whereupon I laid it aside till to-morrow. Last night I dreamed 
 of my dear old grandmother Soule. Sometimes I imagine her 
 gentle spirit is ever near me. There is not a week passes but 
 what I 'dl-eam of her. Often I see her placid countenance and 
 and pleasant, quiet smile, and think if I am ever permitted to 
 go to heaven that I hope to have a place near her. 
 
 Sunday evening. And can it be that we are in Sligo Bay? 
 Yes, even so. We now have a pilot on board, and oh, how 
 cheering to hear a human voice, even in the Paddy-tongue. He 
 has been on board about fifteen minutes. His crew of four men 
 begged for bread which B supplied them. Then with a "thank 
 yc'' and "God bless ye" they went back with their boat leaving the 
 pilot with us. This has taken a mountainous load from B's heart. 
 The mate is now getting the anchors ready, — cheering sound. 
 
 My heart is light, 
 My spirits are bright. 
 For a joyful sight. 
 Have I seen this night 
 The land of Erin ! ! 
 
 Oh ! dear, what rhyming this. 
 
 And we did surely anchor last night. Yes, our poor old brig 
 that has been beaten and banged about for a month past, at 
 last had a night's rest, and sweet it must have been to her as 
 well as to the rest of us. ^ 
 
 Tuesday, the 16th. I heard before leaving ^ew York that the 
 people were starving to death in Ireland', and it is too true. 
 They are dying by scores with hunger. The poorhouse has 
 twelve hundred inmates, and they are dying at the rate of 
 twelve or fourteen a week, being so much emaciated before they 
 go there that the fever takes them off. The poor wretches flock 
 around us on all sides begging for a bit of bread. Old, 
 wrinkled, tattered and dirty women, with crying children at 
 their backs, with feet and legs bare upon the cold', muddy ground, 
 with scarcely clothing enough to cover their nakedness ; young 
 girls in their youthful days, traveling three or four miles with 
 half a dozen of eggs to sell to get a morsel of bread to lengthen 
 out their miserable days; men with haggard countenances beg- 
 
148 
 
 ging for a penny ; these are sights that make my heart recoil and 
 awake every sympathy in my breast. 
 
 But what can we do ? If we give one they flock by hundreds, 
 and to supply them would take all that we have. 
 
 Frida}^, the 19th. My little milk girl I find to be quite an 
 intelligent little thing. She courtesies every time that she en- 
 ters or leaves the cabin, and never answers me without mi-lady 
 at the end of each sentence. Last evening, after I had emptied 
 the milk, she handed me a little paper saying "Would it be any 
 harm, lady, for me to give you this ?" I opened it and found it 
 to contain sugar plums. This morning I put a string of beads 
 on her neck, she was much delighted, thanked me two or three 
 times, then turning to B she courtesied and did the same. She 
 evidently has been better taught than the larger part of the 
 community. 
 
 Spent last evening on board of the bark Cuba, which was the 
 first time that I have set mv foot on this side of the Atlantic. 
 It is so wet and muddy that it is impossible to stir one step with- 
 out getting into it. 
 
 A custom house officer has just related a tale of horror, which 
 is the result of the famine in this place. Last a week a poor man 
 was sick with typhus fever in the street, and was ordered out of 
 the house during the evening and the next morning was found 
 dead in the ditch by the roadside with his legs eaten off by the 
 pigs ! And it was judged by the horrid contortions of his 
 features in death that it must have been done before his soul left 
 his body. Oh, what will this poor country do ! 
 
 Women are working a whole day at breaking stones for ten 
 pence a day, with a family of children dependent upon them for 
 support. i\Ien work from morning till night for the same 
 amount and fast all day, and at night carry home the little mess 
 of meal that they can get for that money (and a little mess it 
 surely is, for everything is enormously high now). Then they 
 make a portion of gruel for five or six, which is all that they 
 get till night comes again, except what they get by begging, 
 and the public have now become wearied out with them. A 
 very little alms they get now. 
 
 Sunday, the 21st. Went to the Scotch church to-day with 
 Capt. Barrett and family and it is the first time that I ever 
 entered a church of the kind. The speaker was a plain spoken 
 man, and I think that he probably adapted his discourse to the 
 capacity of his hearers. He prayed very feelingly and the whole 
 congregation appeared very devout and solemn ; there was none 
 of that heartless levitv and indifference which we see so much 
 
149 
 
 of in our churches. Then he read a hymn, and the congrega- 
 tion, old and young, rose from their seats and joined in a 
 solemn chant. The sound inspired my heart with a devotional 
 feeling which the music with us does not. There was no form 
 nor ceremony nor instrumental music, but merely one united 
 chorus of mingled voices going up in praise and thanksgiving 
 to the Lord of heaven. He thinks the famine with which they 
 are visited is a direct judgment frOm God in consequence of the 
 wickedness of the people. I returned (if with no better heart) 
 perhaps with some better feeling than I had when I went. 
 
 The church was very plain and was heated by large ovens 
 built in each side of the walls, filled with coals ; and although in 
 the month of February, there were some beautiful flowers in full 
 bloom in the yard before the door. 
 
 Monday, the 2 2d. I can not put my head up the companion- 
 way without some one will drop a courtesy and begin with "The 
 Lord bless ye ma'am and long life to your honor, will ye 'give 
 me a ha'penny for I've not had a morsel to-day, and I've no 
 father nor mother to look out for me." Without doubt the same 
 is said a hundred times a day, and if they were all supplied 
 with their ha'penny, I should have none left, so I am obliged to 
 take no notice of them, or go below out of sight. 
 
 To-day I have had a girl to work for me all day. She ap- 
 peared very glad to get something to do, that, as she expressed it, 
 she could earn a bit for herself, for she had not a second dress to 
 her back and times were so distressing that she knew not where 
 she was to get the second. 
 
 Tuesday, the 23d. Spent the afternoon at Mrs. Barrett's. 
 She is a native of Scotland and a lady of many accomplish- 
 ments^with considerable beauty, although the mother of six 
 children. I never had more attention and respect shown me 
 than while there. 
 
 Wednesday, the 2-lrth. Have spent the afternoon in shopping 
 in company with Mrs. Barrett. Sligo looks much better now the 
 mud is dried up than it did when we first arrived. I find that 
 that there are some fine looking houses and several good looking 
 churches, but the poverty of the people is something dreadful. 
 
 Thursday, the 25th. A fine, beautiful morning, the sun is 
 shining gloriously alike, on rich and poor, on the beggar and the 
 dying. The streets are thronged with beggars crying for a 
 morsel of bread, and their importunity is such that it is almost 
 impossible to keep a penny for yourself. 
 
 We are now hauling off into the stream, and the next step 
 will be to go to sea. 
 
150 
 
 Friday, the 26tli. The coldest morning that I have seen since 
 we arrived at this place. 
 
 One of our officers offered me a "very pretty lap dog" as he said, 
 and a very playful thing. Accordingly I consented to take it. 
 This morning he sent it down, and instead of a pretty dog it 
 is the most hideous animal that I ever saw. He is a coarse 
 haired, dirty little animal, and what to do with it I do not know. 
 But I let them leave it because I thought he would think me very 
 uncivil if I sent it back again. 
 
 Evening. I just now gave a boy a penny to take it back again 
 to the owner. 
 
 Saturday, the 27th. We are now getting ready to start. 
 The pilot is on board. B has been to the washwoman^ for our 
 clothes which she has neglected to send three times since last 
 evening. She has been ironing all night, and at last they have 
 come ; but in getting them on board six or eight pieces fell into 
 river and were wet entirely through. Some are ironed and some 
 are not. Now I have counted them over and find eight pieces 
 missing. I suppose in her hurry she overlooked them. 
 
 Sunday, the 28th. We have gained upon coming out in 
 twenty-four hours, what we were trying for a week to accomplish 
 when inward bound, and have now a fair wind, smooth sea and 
 our brig in ballast, which makes her very comfortable. We hope 
 to have a speedy passage to St. Thomas. 
 
 B is now trying to build a fire in the cabin. Oh, dear ! Now 
 he has dropped the grate of the stove down and let all the fire 
 fall upon the hearth. Now his patience is all gone. One trial 
 more, — he has succeeded in replacing it without taking the fire 
 from the stove. Now all is right again. The fire hums briskly. 
 Not so bad after all. He remarked that he feared that he- should 
 commit more sin in making the fire than he should repent of all 
 day. 
 
 Monday, March 1st. A glorious breeze. The brig is now do- 
 ing her best, going at the rate of nine miles per hour. Oh, if 
 we were sure of this wind we should soon be across the broad 
 Atlantic again. 
 
 Tuesday, March 2d. Have been sick all day both in body and 
 mind, for the one surely operates on the other. At one time I 
 lie down, then get up again, I then change my seat, but all to no 
 purpose. This horrid nauseous feeling' will accompany me 
 where ever I go or whatever I do. Our present prospect looks 
 quite encouraging. We have come six hundred and twenty 
 miles in three days and a half, and if a heavy sea does occasion- 
 ally give the brig a blow and make her old bones rattle again. 
 
151 
 
 that is nothing as long as she does not mind it, but struts along 
 the same as though nothing: troubled her. 
 
 Wednesday morning, March 3, 10.30. The wind is blowing 
 very hard. The w^ateh has just been called out to put the 
 brig under double reefs. I am sitting in the stateroom feel- 
 ing wretched. Four days out and one quarter of the way to 
 Xew York. Oh, if we were only bound there we might soon see 
 our native land again. Instead' of that, I suppose the West 
 Indies j^vill bring us up first. 
 
 Thursday. This morning awoke and found it quite calm, 
 which was very gratifying to my feelings, after spending such 
 an uncomfortable day as I did vesterdav. The reefs were taken 
 out of the sails and soon after the wind l)reezed up directly 
 ahead and now it looks drizzly and rainy. This head wind I do 
 not much like, however, I will not complain as long as we get 
 along so comfortably as we do now. 
 
 Friday, the 5th. Under double reefs again, alas I How 
 changeable are all things ! We are now getting on finely again, 
 and we now sing the "Song" of the Western Islands. The sky 
 is dark, the air thick and hazy ; no sound is heard but the l)ellow- 
 ing winds, the foaming waves, the heavy tread of the sailors 
 and the quacking of the ducks. It really seems quite 'domestic 
 to have these fowls around the deck. They were quite delighted 
 with the wet weather. Benjamin is rather moody to-day; I hope 
 his state of feelings does not indicate a gale of wind. 
 
 Saturday, the 6th. Last night about twelve the wind died away 
 but before two we were under close reefs with a strong breeze. 
 To-day it is quite pleasant, although there is quite a heavy sea, 
 which makes the brig rather uneasy. It is one week this morn- 
 ing since we left Sligo, that land of wretchedness and poverty. 
 Villages that once were cheerful and comfortable are now totally 
 deserted, the inhabitants have flocked to the cities to beg their 
 bread and not one solitary individual is left. 
 
 Two of our poor ducks died last night and I feel really sorry. 
 Their coarse, rough voices sounded pleasant to my ears when 
 in contrajit with the surly voice of "The many waters.'' The 
 ccok, careless wretch, neglected to feed them for twenty-four 
 hours, then gave them too much corn at a time, and so, poor 
 things, they were obliged to die. 
 
 I have not been on deck but once since we came out, but think 
 I will try it this afternoon for a change, which is sometimes very 
 desirable. 
 
 This afternoon is much pleasanter weather than we have had 
 since we came out. 
 
*.•* 
 
 152 
 
 Sunday, the 7th. A strong gale from the southward. B 
 thought this morning that he would be obliged to heave the brig 
 to, but the wind has abated some now. The mate has been sick 
 and off duty these three days, consequently B has all of his work 
 to do, which makes it hard for him. However, he is some bet- 
 ter to-day, and I hope soon will be well again. 
 
 Sunday is a long day when at sea, and more especially when 
 it is as bad weather as it now is, for it is utterly impossible for 
 me to compose my mind long enough to read, and work is out 
 of the question upon this holy day. So I am obliged to sit and 
 muse, — and that, indeed, gets to be an old story after a few days 
 at sea. For we have not many changes, except in weather, 
 which, heaven knows, we have enough of at present. Therefore, 
 the mind is- liable to run to waste, unless previously stored with 
 useful and interesting knowledge. 
 
 B has lain down to get some rest, having been up the most of 
 the night. Mr. Currier is sitting still looking rather demure, 
 and I am all alone in the stateroom. 
 
 Monday, the 8th. This is March weather in good earnest. 
 Last night the wind moderated to a calm and B turned out the 
 reefs ; but in a few hours it commenced blowing a gale again, 
 and the old brig was reefed down. A change occurs from a 
 gale to a calm about every twelve hours, and it makes work for 
 all hands. The mate is on dutv to-dav. 
 
 Nothing interesting has occurred since we came out worth 
 writing, but it is some satisfaction to write even the state of the 
 weather from day to day. Perhaps I shall look this over at a 
 future period and remember that I and Old Ocean have long 
 been acquainted, and gladly would I say friends did I feel from 
 my heart that such was the case. This I can truly say, that he 
 has used me far better than some have been used ; if I have suf- 
 fered anxious days and restless nights while rocking in his 
 watery cradle, I must acknowledge that I am not such an un- 
 grateful being as to feel that I am alone in the midst of the 
 waves. I have a Protector. 
 
 Monday, the 8th. I have sat the whole day long and done 
 nothing at all; for who could work or read when balancing 
 between heaven and earth with no resting place for the sole of the 
 foot? Xot I. I must abide somewhere or I can not work, nor 
 road, nor play. 
 
 It is often a matter of w^onder why man w^as permitted to nav- 
 igate the boundless ocean, when so many lives pay the cost. Why 
 each portion of inhabitants may not pass its days by itself with- 
 out disturbing other portions of the gfobe : It is too true "God 
 
153 
 
 made man upright but he has sought out many inventions. 
 Yes, invented ships to cross the ocean, and not a year passes 
 but many souls are by the means of these same ships, sent to 
 their last account, which, to all human observation, might have 
 passed many days here on earth, had they been content to stay on 
 the land. But the restless spirit of man is never content; new 
 aspirations are continually occupying the mind and desires are 
 never fully attained. 
 
 (This page written by B. W.) 
 
 Mondav, the 8th. We are now under close reefs fore and aft. 
 The wind has changed twice to-day and the brig has made the 
 water fly at a great rate. To-day I have seen the spray wet the 
 foresail and topsail, and go a number of feet over the topsail 
 yard. I do not think I ever saw the sea fly so high in my twenty 
 years' experience. I have never had so uncomfortable passage 
 in my life, and never thought myself in so great danger. This 
 is owing to the fact that I have a cargo of corn in bulk. It is the 
 worst and most unsafe cargo I ever carried, as it is so apt to shift 
 and get the vessel out of trim. 
 
 There ! Since I commenced this page I have had to look out 
 for a squall for fear of the wind carrying away something, but 
 now it is calm; sails are hanging on the yards; but the man at 
 the wheel says another squall is coming and I must look to it. 
 
 I have liberty to use only this page and that is as much as 
 will be deciphered. But my Eunice is good to find out puzzles 
 and I will give her this. She wants something to occupy her 
 mind. 
 
 Tuesday, the 9th. We are now upon the second week of our 
 passage and are along a good distance, but the last few days 
 we have gained nothing. This morning it blew a gale and there 
 was such a heavy sea on that it made the brig pitch about at 
 an awful rate; but now it is almost calm, and such a rolling as 
 we are having ! Every chair in the cabin is upset, and 
 boots, shoes, jackets and caps, my foot stove and the coal are 
 rolling together over the floor. Nothing can well be kept in 
 its place. Oh, dear ! I am tired to death of this. 
 
 Wednesday, the 10. No change yet. The wind is continually 
 changing as often as the brig is tacked ; it does really appear as 
 though the wind was following the vessel around. 
 
 Thursday. A rain storm this morning but no change 
 of wind yet. This is truly discouraging, to be going back in- 
 
154 ' 
 
 stead of forward as we wish to go. This looks like a lengthy 
 passage. 
 
 Friday, the 12th. A gale! a gaJe ! a gale of wind I And 
 what does this mean? Why, it means that the wind is screech- 
 ing like an owl and that last night it tried its strength upon 
 the mainstaysail and split it in two; and as the wind was 
 mightier than man or vessel, the brig was obliged to heave to. 
 Accordingly we are in that condition this morning and the 
 cabin furniture is frolicking in its might and glee back and for- 
 ward across the floor, occasionally mingling with the briny ele- 
 ments of which there is quite a profusion. Such is our state,— 
 and is it strange that the beings who inhabit this perishable 
 home are gloomy? Is it strange that dark forbodings sometimes 
 cross the mind and that feelings grow impatient and irritable? 
 We are mortal, and mortality cannot always bear up with forti- 
 tude against the ills of life, and surely not always against the 
 elements, which appear whetted by the Almighty against them. 
 But a voice sounds in mine ear "Worm of the dust, darest thou 
 contend with a mightier spirit than thine ? Hold thy peace — be 
 silent. 
 
 Saturday, the 13th. Yesterday at twelve the wind calmed so 
 that the topsail was set and we went jogging on at a slow rate 
 within about five or six points of our course. So things went 
 on through the night, but this morning old Xeptune has lifted 
 his head above the waves again and his voice is booming over the 
 waters like seven thunders. We are now trembling and quaking, 
 rocking and shaking. 
 
 Afternoon The wind is now moderate and we can head 
 our course. Our hopes are somewhat raised for we hope that 
 it will last long enough at least for us to get into warm weather. 
 It would not be so bad as it now is, if I could get on deck, a 
 thing that I have not accomplished but twice since we came 
 out. It is too cold to be comfortable there, so I content myself 
 staying in the cabin and without seeing the sun nor waves except 
 from the window. 
 
 Sunday, the 14th. A calm morning. The sails are hanging 
 lazily to the masts and a drizzly rain is falling. Everything is 
 wet and a cold and cheerless aspect is presented on all sides. 
 The cook is setting the table for breakfast, — such a cook our 
 patience was never before tried with. He seems to be entirely 
 without a faculty to get along: his meals are always behind the 
 time ; and when we do get them they are in no decent order. We 
 shall all be glad when his time is out, which will not be until we 
 
155 
 
 end the voyage, I suppose. But I also suppose that he imagines 
 himself one of the best. 
 
 Monday, the 15th. A strong breeze. We are now under close 
 reefs, and hope to pass the Western Islands if the wind favors us. 
 B has been reading the most of the day, so this afternoon he took 
 a cigar and went on deck to take a good smoke by himself. But 
 he had just seated himself in a comfortable posture when a 
 large sea struck the brig near him and wet him all over. T 
 heard a screech and I looked out to see' what was the matter and 
 caught a glimpse of him as he was bending over to let the water 
 run off. The cigar he gave one desperate chew, arid let it drop 
 f]"om his mouth. ^^Ha ! ha ! ha !'' jesounded from all sides; when 
 he exclaimed that the sea was no respecter of persons. Down 
 h(! came to the cabin and was obliged to change his clothes 
 and exchanged his stockings which he had not had on but an 
 hour. It is very bad to be thus served in cold weather, but it 
 can't be helped sometimes, especially when the brig is throwing 
 the water so as to wet the mainsails entirely over. She is not 
 used to such big seas, and does not know how to behave herself 
 very becomingly ; but I think she will be wiser in some measure 
 before we get to the United States of America again. 
 
 Tuesda}^, the 16th. Our breeze still continues and we now 
 are clear of the Western Islands and hope soon to be out of cold 
 weather. B is employed in mending the mainstaysail, which was 
 split a few nights ago. 
 
 Wednesday, the 17th. This morning at the breakfast table 
 B said "P]unice, we are now in warm weather."' I looked up 
 rather surprised when he asked if I perceived the difference. 
 I answered "No, indeed.'' So when I had breakfasted I donned 
 hood and shawl and ventured on deck, and to my satisfaction 
 did perceive the change. It is really quite comfortable with 
 open doors and without my ^'Highland,'''' which I have not been 
 able to sit without a day since we sailed. 
 
 Afternoon. The staysail has just been hoisted and I can see 
 a vast difference in the motion of the brig. It makes her 
 tremble in every joint. This morning the reefs were turned out 
 and we are braced sharp on the wind, but still do not head within 
 two or three points of our course. 
 
 I have just made some cranberry pies, for I cannot eat the 
 cook's victuals with any kind of relish. He is very dirty with all 
 other manifold failings of which he is possessed. Never did I 
 see such a cook in my life. 
 
 Thursday, the 18th. The weather continues fine and warm 
 
156 
 
 enough for comfort, and it really looks quite spring-like to see 
 the men changing their winter attire for that which is more 
 adapted to warm weather. 
 
 Friday, the 19th. My feelings are much as they used to be in 
 days of yore when I used to watch with so much delight, day by 
 day, the snowdrift melt away and the green grass appear. My 
 spirits are much elated with the return of mild skies and warm 
 weather. All hands on board are as busy as bees preparing to 
 send up the topgallant mast and yards so that the sails can be set 
 once more. 
 
 Saturday. The topgallant mast is aloft, the yards are crossed, 
 the s^ils are once more spread to caitch the breeze, and a fair 
 wind is cheering us on our way ; so that the brig looks once more 
 like herself again, and now no longer reminds me of a hen 
 without tail feathers. 
 
 Sunday, the 21st. Sunday again and yet at sea and many 
 miles from our native land. It would indeed, be cheering if we 
 could spend our Sundays at church, but as there are no churches 
 stationed upon the waters^ we must be content to stay on ship 
 board and read or idly sit and muse. It is a lazy day with the 
 sailors as well as myself. However, they generally may be seen 
 busy. Sometimes they are employed in mending their clothes, 
 at others greasing shoes; sometimes they are washing them- 
 selves and combing their hair, but they generally spend the day 
 without books. 
 
 Monday, the 22d. Afternoon, three o'clock. A rain squall 
 has 'disturbed B and the men who were repairing the topsail, 
 which is to be exchanged for the new one that is now on the 
 brig. However, it will not rain much and we sincerely hope 
 that a change of wind will follow, which will prove to be the 
 trade wind. 
 
 I have been quite busy for a few days repairing my clothes, 
 which have been neglected all of the outward passage. 
 
 Tuesday, the 23d. The wind is fair but quite light. We 
 seem to need some new occurrence to brighten up our ideas a lit- 
 tle; we have now been at sea so long that things seem rather 
 monotonous. 
 
 Wednesday, the 24th. A calm. The sails are flapping back 
 and forwards and a heavy swell is rolling in from the north, 
 which makes the brig roll badly ; however, I do contrive to keep 
 myself seated in my chair by sundry bracings and holding on 
 with my feet, so that I can scribble a few lines. 
 
 Thursday, the 25th. Still calm, but this is much better than 
 a head wind. 
 
157 
 
 Friday, the 26th. A nice little breeze and' we are going 
 smoothly along with a pleasant sky, such as our summers at home 
 afford. But as the wind is "aft" the mainsail is down, and at 
 times the vessel rolls quite deep. But the cook set the table this 
 morning without the rack, and accordingly the dishes took it 
 into their heads to roll off on the floor and were smashed into 
 atoms. We have but a few left now. 
 
 ^ The main topmast is going up. It looks like a dangerous job 
 to see such a tremendously long stick suspended in the air over 
 our heads. If it should give away and come down it would make 
 a hole through the vessel's bottom, and most likely kill some of 
 us. 
 
 The danger is now past, it is secured and all is right. 
 
 Saturday, the 23d. A fine morning. I arose this morning 
 and threw open the windows to let in the soft air, which is truly 
 refreshing in the month of March. I have left off my winter 
 clothing for some that is more suitable for the climate, and 
 find the change very agreeable to my feelings, after being 
 bundled up all winter. Our good breeze still continues and I 
 enjoy it very much. 
 
 Sunday, the 28th. Sunday comes oftener than any other 
 'day of the week apparently. It is very smooth to-day, and the 
 sea is of a dark, inky color. The sky is clear with here and there 
 a large fleec}" cloud floating leisurely along, which being of a 
 light color contrasts beautifully with the dark blue sky. We 
 are moving leisurely along with studding sails out on both sides, 
 and the mainsail furled. 
 
 Saw a bark this morning with which we exchanged colors. 
 It was like two strangers meeting and greeting each other, then 
 parting never to meet again. She showed English colors, and it 
 led me to make this query "Do the souls which that vessel con- 
 tains possess that servile feeling for crowned heads which some 
 (if not all) of the inhaitants of Europe possess? And ^thy is 
 it so ? Are descendants of the royal blood in reality any better 
 than those of the humble peasant ? Americans do not have this 
 feeling ; they regard no man better for possessing a public office. 
 They regard the man — not the station that he fills. 
 
 Monday, the 29th. A pleasant day, a fine breeze, and Oh, how 
 busy everybody is ! Some are painting, some are preparing to 
 paint. The mate is making a sail, and B is doing a little of 
 everything imaginable. As for myself, I have made some bread 
 which is so sour that it is hardly eatable. I think that I shall re- 
 sign bread making for the present. 
 
 A vessel has been in sight all day and it may possibly be the 
 
158 
 
 "Capt. John" which sailed from Sligo the day before we did, — 
 but we do iiot see her "Topsails round her shedding light," 
 neither "Her banners waving on," but still it may be "the fleet 
 sailing Capt. John." If any person but myself should read the 
 above, they will not understand the meaning thereof, unless it 
 should be explained to them. 
 
 I begin to long to see the land once more. Yes, long for a 
 foothold on "terra firma'" where I may be at rest from this per- 
 petual motion, which is very annoying to me. 
 
 Tuesday, the 30th. Our breeze has gradually increased for the 
 last three days and we are now going along finely. I have been 
 attending to navigation a little of late, and can now work out a 
 sight quite accurately, but find that I am still liable to make mis- 
 takes. This morning the man at the wheel cried out, "A shark !" 
 Soon it made a noise and B said that it was a whale, and if I 
 would go forward that I might get a good sight of him. Ac- 
 cordingly I went and leaned over the vessel's prow and saw him 
 moving along in about an equal pace with us, but several feet be- 
 neath the surface of the water. I waited several moments for 
 him to come up so that I might have a better view; but his 
 majesty did not choose so to do. 
 
 Wednesday, the 31st. A delightful evening; the moon is shin- 
 ing gloriously upon the undulating waters, and upon our tiny 
 bark as we glide swiftly along upon its sparkling bosom. Oh, 
 what a world of thought does such an evening as this excite. 
 
 Are we who inhabit this world beings who were created by 
 that same almighty power that created the sun, moon, stars and 
 this ever restless world of water? And can that power say to 
 the waves "Be still;" and be obeyed? Can it speak and say, 
 "Rise and set no more, thou sun and moon which I have created ?" 
 Yes; and this glorious firmament now shining beautifully be- 
 spangled with stars, glittering like pure diamonds above our 
 heads, will be rolled together like a scroll at thy command ! 
 
 Thursday, April 1st. April Fool day. How are the people 
 in our good old home in New p]ngland this morning. It would 
 be very gratifying to my feelings to take a peep at them and see 
 if they are still in icy chains ; or has old Winter relinquished his 
 chains and^ let the. captives go free ? I much doubt whether 
 they have a breeze equally as warm as the balmy breeze of June 
 which we are now blessed with. 
 
 Afternoon. I feel rather lonely to-'d'ay. Am obliged to spend 
 the most of the time by myself, as B is so very much engaged in 
 painting. Oh, what a looking creature he is ! All covered with 
 paint from head to foot. But he will soon be done, I hope, and 
 
159 
 
 after he scrubs the coat off him, 1 hope my eyes will be blessed 
 with the sight of Benjamin Webster as he was in the days gone 
 by. I just heard him say/^Oh, dear, dear, dear, dear ! I shall 
 be gla'd' when I am done. I am tired of this." Well, the old brig 
 has renewed her age very much indeed, within the last two days. 
 Our fSligo vo3^age took all the paint off of her, and she is now 
 getting her yearly coat. 
 
 April Fool day. I well remember when I was a mere child 
 that I wished to make a fool of my schoolmates, but could not in- 
 vent a method that suited me. Father helped me out of mv 
 trouble. He gave me a small piece of paper which I was to fas- 
 ten upon the schoolhouse with these lines upon it 
 
 As boys their time do waste in play 
 
 And hate to go to schools, 
 So they that read this verse to-day 
 
 Are downright April Fools. 
 
 Accordingly I was there at an early hour and soon the paper 
 was upon the outside of the schoolhouse, and as fast as the chil- 
 dren came each walked up and read it, wondering who wrote it. 
 At last one boy, who was older than the rest, read it and' was so 
 provoked that he took up a large piece of soft mud and took aim 
 a1 it and let drive, and covered my poor verse all over. So my 
 fooling jig was up that day. 
 
 Saturday, the 3d. Nothing has occurred of sufficient import- 
 ance to induce me to write to-day, if I did not sometimes scribble 
 to employ a few moments, which might otherwise be spent in 
 idleness. But if one could take a peep at us these few days, they 
 would well think that there was no idle bread eaten on board the 
 ^'Brig Levant," for every moment has been employed in painting, 
 scrubbing, tarring, and all other kind of "ings" that well could 
 b'^ imagined, so that now we make quite a respectable appear- 
 ance, considering our rough outward passage. 
 
 Sunday, the 4th. A fine day and a good breeze, but nothing 
 remarkable has occurred'. 
 
 Monday, the 5th. This day, about twelve o'clock, our eyes 
 were blessed with the sight of land, which is the first that we 
 have seen since we left old Ireland. We suppose it to be St. Bar- 
 tholemew. The sight of land is delightful to eyes that have seen 
 nothing but the ocean for thirty-six days. The mind becomes 
 tired of one continual object before it, and needs a change to 
 keep it in an active and happy mood. It is not strange to me 
 now that sailors are uneasy and restless when long on the land. 
 
160 
 
 Their minds are so much accustomed to change that one place 
 has too much quietness to satisfy them. 
 
 Tuesday, the 6th. We have been sailing all day by islands, and 
 near enough to see the mountainous peaks and the dark ravines. 
 The most of them are covered with grass and a small growth of 
 stunted trees, which look as though the sun had withered them. 
 
 We are now approaching St. Thomas and can clearly discern 
 the castle which we suppose to be near the entrance of the harbor, 
 i^ow the harbor opens to our view and' several vessels are in sight. 
 Tlie view of the town in the distance looks quite pretty. We now 
 have a nearer view. The town is situated at the base of a moun- 
 t/iin, the principal part being upon a small hill, gives it a very 
 picturesque appearance. The buildings are painted with va- 
 rious colors, red, white, yellow and light blue. The greater part 
 of them are with piazzas upon three sides, and large windows 
 without glass, with heavy blinds, which are closed at night to 
 keep out intruders in the shape of mosquitoes, etc. 
 
 I just heard the tinkling of a bell, and by the sound I presume 
 that the inhabitants are Catholics. 
 
 We are now at anchor, and there is a boat alongside in which 
 the captain of an American bark who sailed from N"ew York the 
 day that we did for Sligo, but met with an accident and was 
 obliged to put in here for repairs. He is now ready to start 
 again on his voyage. We are waiting for a visit, but the visit 
 boat has not come, and B is tired waiting. He could wait no 
 longer, but has gone ashore, which, I expect, is against their 
 regulations. 
 
 Wednesday, the 7th. Have spent the day on shore but did not 
 walk about town much being a stranger, and having no one to 
 go with me. 
 
 I saw Blue Beard's castle. It is situated at the top of a high 
 hill and built of rough stone, probably of granite; but time has 
 turned it almost black. It is as high as a four-story building 
 with windows near the top. Whether there are any at the bot- 
 tom I could not discern in the distance. I thought of traveling 
 to it, but it was nearly two miles distant, and a journey up a 
 Sleep hill in the hot sun I concluded would not be very agreeable, 
 therefore gave it up and contented myself with a spyglass view. 
 1 should judge from its appearance that it would well accord 
 with Blue Beard's diabolical feelings. 
 
 I sat at the window of the house where I stopped and had a 
 good view of people who were passing the streets continually. 
 They were a mixture of almost every nation und'er the sun, from 
 Jew to the Guinea negro, and such a horrid jargon a^ their 
 
161 
 
 mingled voices make ! Opposite my window sat a colored slave 
 with a dozen live fowl tied by the legs. Sometimes she would 
 take them by the legs with their heads hanging down and hold 
 them a long time; then with a desperate jerk twitch a quill from 
 their wings and throw them down again with the most perfect 
 nonchalance, not thinking that the poor creatures were suffering 
 under her cruel treatment. Near her sat another with so much 
 fat on her that you could see it shake every time she spoke, which 
 was quite often and not in the most agreeable manner, either. 
 I should think her a real vixen. There she sat with a few nuts 
 and cakes all day long with nothing to shelter her from the sun. 
 But as the shadows lengthened, she began to nod. 
 
 The market is in the streets, in any place that it suits the in- 
 dividual that sells. St. Thomas is a very clean place, and some 
 of the streets are very pretty. I got tired, and was very glad 
 when B came for me. Then I hastily put on my bonnet and 
 shawl and bade the landlord and daughter good-by, and walked 
 to the quay. I stepped into the boat and was pulled to the brig, 
 which was under way as soon as possible, bound to Mayaguez. 
 I watched St. Thomas until nothing could be seen but a speck to 
 tell where it was, notwithstanding a tremendous headache. 
 Then I went to bed, thinking it possible it was the last time that 
 I should visit it. • 
 
 Thursday, the 8th. This morning arose quite early and went 
 on deck. Porto Rico was all in sight and along we went smoothly 
 as though there never were waves nor winds. But we shall noi 
 get to our destined port till to-morrow. 
 
 Friday, the 9tli. This morning at ten o'clock we came to an- 
 chor in the harbor of Mayaguez, and B has now gone ashore and 
 I am all alone. 
 
 Saturday, the 10th. It is delightful weather in this place, fine 
 sea breezes, and cool enough every afternoon for comfort. This 
 is quite a small place ; the town is situated nearly two miles from 
 the shore, where the mercantile business is principally carried 
 on. It has a very pretty appearance in the morning, when the 
 Sim is just throwing his golden beams upon the green moun- 
 tains, which rise, peak after peak, high from the back of the 
 town. The tops of the mountains are covered with a soft mist, 
 which the rays of the sun scatter into the dark ravines which lie 
 between. 
 
 Little clusters of dwellings can be seen scattered along the 
 base of the mountains, and even upon some of the high land, 
 some romantic beings have fixed their rude homes, not fearing 
 the cold blasts of winter with which we Northerners are visited. 
 
162 
 
 These mountains are cultivated. Far up their sides large 
 fields of sugarcane can be seen, which, being of a light green, 
 contrasts beautifully with the shrubbery, which grows all around 
 where the hand of man has not removed it, and also with the 
 cocoanut trees, the large leaves of which are of a dark green. 
 The whole being backed by the deep, blue sky, with light, fleecy 
 clouds floating leisurely here and there, making a scene worthy 
 of a more descriptive hand than mine. 
 
 Sunday, the 11th. The boats are plenty from the shore this 
 morning. We have bought cocoanuts, oranges, plantain, bana- 
 nas and tamarinds. 
 
 Afternoon. We are spending the day on board of the vessel 
 as we have no acquaintances on shore. 
 
 Tuesday. B and myself have been taking a bit of a sail in 
 the boat, and have just returned and found the cook drunk and 
 no supper ready, although the sun is down, and the men have 
 quit work. What is to be done? Why, nothing but this: B 
 and the mate have made the tea, aji'd' I have set the table and 
 found food enough to make out a decent supper. 
 
 W^ednesday, the 14th. I have been ironing some clothes which 
 I washed yesterday, and feel quite tired and must take a nap 
 in the hammock. 
 
 Thursday. No cargo yesterday nor to-day, which is lengthen- 
 ing out our time here. We shall not get away this week as we 
 have hoped. 
 
 Friday, the 16th. It is impossible for us to get away this 
 week, although we have sugar enough now. 
 
 Saturday, the 17th. What shall I write? Nothing new has 
 occurred, excepting the arrival of an English brig, which I hoped 
 would prove a Yankee when I saw her in the offing. But 
 we shall hear nothing from home until we arrive in the States. 
 
 Sunday, the 18th. As often as the morning comes, just so 
 often I go on deck and watch for a vessel, hoping every one 
 that arrives will prove to be some one of our acquaintances. 
 But there are none to be seen to-day. 
 
 Monday, the 19th. We shall have our cargo on board to-mor- 
 row, and then shall head for New York. 
 
 Tuesday, the 20th. Everything is now on board and it will 
 take all day to get things in readiness. B has been at work 
 quite hard; and says that he is in a hurry to get away from West 
 India climate, for he is sure that it does not agree with him. 
 
 Last night, after we had retired, Mr. Currier came hastily into 
 the cabin, saying that the captain of an Americn brig was dy- 
 ing, and that they had sent a boat for Benjamin to come on 
 
163 
 
 board. He dressed himself as quickly as possible, and wished 
 me to go with him. We then jumped into the boat and went on 
 board and found' the master a very sick man. His wife was 
 standing over him the very picture of woe. B went immediately 
 for a doctor. He came, but gave his opinion that the patient 
 was past hope, and that medicine was of no use. 
 
 We stayed all night. The man appeared in a dying state 
 from twelve o'clock until morning, speechless, and apparently 
 unconscious. In the morning the doctor came again and looked 
 Jit him, then turning away his head pronounced him a dead man, 
 and' left him. But he still breathed, and his poor wife hung 
 over him almost frantic. "Oh, did he bring me out here to see 
 him die?" she would say. "Oh, must he die? Can nothing be 
 done to save him — must we leave him here? No, no, he must 
 not die — Oh, if I could only die in his place, only suffer for 
 him, — George, George, George." But the sick man could not 
 answer. Then she would turn away in agony. "Ah, he can 
 not speak to me; if he only could revive enough to speak one 
 word to me. Oh, never did I think to see this — to see him die — 
 Is he dying; — do tell me?" 
 
 After the 'doctor left an English captain came on board and 
 felt his pulse and said that it was quite good; that his opinion 
 was that he would revive. 
 
 We then put some wine in his mouth which he swallowed, 
 and in a short time he opened his eyes, and looked more natural 
 than he had since the evening before. About nine o'clock we 
 left them and came on board and got some breakfast. B went 
 ashore to settle up his business, and I lay down to get a nap, 
 not sleeping any all night. 
 
 In the^ afternoon we went back again and found him certainly 
 better. W^e stopped as long as we conveniently could, and left 
 him, thinking that if he remained as comfortable as he then 
 was through the night, that he might recover. But we must 
 wait until we arrive at New York to hear, as immediately after 
 coming on board, we weighed anchor and started upon our home- 
 ward passage, at five o'clock in the evening. 
 
 Wednesday, the 20th. We are now clear of the land, with a fine 
 breeze, aaid to add to our happiness, or rather uneasiness, our 
 vessel is leaking very badly and I am seasick. 
 
 Saturday. A schooner has been in sight some hours, and 
 now iias just lowered her boat and boarded us. She is a whaler, 
 and belongs to Provincetown. The second mate is sick and 
 wishes to get home. B has consented to take him, and he has 
 come on board. The mate has just informed us that his mat- 
 
164 
 
 tress is is fall of bedbugs. Oh, dear ! What shall we do ? Can 
 we let him sleep in the cabin? We shall surely be annoyed to 
 death. The rats are enough to 'devour us alive, and if we have 
 bui>s into the bargain. Hem ! 
 
 Sinday, the 25th. A delightful morning. The sun shines 
 bright and clear, a gentle breeze is moving us along over the 
 smooth waters, and sky, air and the ocean all proclaim this the 
 the Sabbath, even if we do not hear the church-going bell nor see 
 the old and young gathering round the church to listen to the 
 oracles of truth from the man of God, who proclaims it from the 
 sacred desk. 
 
 Monday, the 26th. Our breeze freshens a little, which en- 
 courages us to hope that one week more will carry us to the city 
 of I^ew York. 
 
 Our passenger is quite unwell, nevertheless, he enlarges con- 
 siderably upon the delights of whaling, and if I should express 
 my candid opinion, I should say that his mind did not extend 
 farther than a whaling voyage, and that his highest ambition 
 was to kill a whale 
 
 Wednesday, the 23d. I have now completed the last of my 
 work, which I carried with me to do this voyage, and I cannot be 
 long entirely idle without being very uneasy. B has been job- 
 bing about to-day, doing a little here and there to divert his 
 attention from this head wind, which is lengthening out our voy- 
 age at a "confounded rate," as Brother Joseph would say if he 
 were here. 
 
 It is now entirely calm and I hope that the wind will conde- 
 scend to blow the right way arid help us along as fast as possible, 
 for I am in somewhat of a hurry to hear from the friends that we 
 left behind us. 
 
 When we were in Mayaguez, B bought three guinea pigs, being 
 informed that they would drive away the rats, but they were 
 of no use at all, and have all died. 
 
 Friday, the 30th. We are having just now a glorious breeze, 
 and shall soon be in the gulf stream if this continues. As I have 
 nothing new to write I will just add that the cook caught six 
 rats last night, which I presume will not make the least differ- 
 ence in their numbers. They run over me while I am lying in 
 my berth. I almost think them as plenty as they were when the 
 children of Israel were afflicted with them. It is really a vex- 
 ation, for nothing is secure against them. 
 
 Saturday, May 1st. Disappointment. About twelve o'clock 
 to-'day we passed a bottle with the neck out of water. I was be- 
 low at the time, and heard the conversation that was passing on 
 
165 
 
 deck and thought that I should like much to know what was in 
 the said bottle. Accordingly proceeded to the deck and rather 
 urged B to lower, the boat and go and get it. He consented, and 
 went and obtained it. But upon examination it was found to 
 contain, not a letter from some poor, shipwrecked mortals (just 
 about to resign themselves forever to their last sleep) to a friend 
 that they have on land, hoping that chance might divert it to 
 the shore where some one migth open it and read. No. But 
 what did it contain ? You wish to know by this time, I suppose. 
 Well, it was all covered with barnacles, and from its appearance 
 1 should judge that it might have been in the ocean two years. 
 I took it from the hands of one of the men that was in the boat, 
 and must assure you that my heart was beating with expecta- 
 tion when I put it to my eye and saw — what? What was it! 
 Nothing, absolutely nothing! All that pains was for nothing 
 but an empty rum bottle ! ! However, as it was very moderate 
 it did not delay the brig's progress much, and B had the pleasure 
 of an excursion upon the ocean. 
 
 May the 2d. As I did not go a-Maying yesterday I will ven- 
 ture to imagine that it is the case to-day. If I gather any flow- 
 ers they must be flowers that upon the ocean grow, without the 
 assistance of cultivation, except from the monsters of the deep, 
 or peradvenure, a mermaid has sown the seeds with her tiny 
 hands, and they are guarded by the golden dolphin until they 
 spring up and show where they will bloom; while the mermaid 
 sings her song to enchant the mermen that may be passing by 
 into the cavern that she inhabits, there to regale themselves with 
 the nectar that she invites them to partake, while she seeks the 
 dolphin's abode to gather a bouquet of flowers to coquette with. 
 
 Since^ Thursday we have caught seventeen rats, but that has 
 not diminished their numbers apparently. 
 
 Monday, the 3d. We are now on soundings and such a change 
 a^ it has made one would hardly believe. Last evening it was 
 so warm as to be very uncomfortable, but before morning it 
 was cold enough for a fire. I have changed my thin clothes for 
 such as will better become this climate. 
 
 Tuesday, the 4th. This morning has risen upon us under 
 much more favorable auspices than last evening closed, for in- 
 stead of a head wind we can now head our course, but still are 
 "braced up sharp." 
 
 A little land bird is hopping about the rigging. I suppose 
 that it has been blown off the land and is now glad to find' a 
 place to rest its weary wings. Poor thing, stay with us until 
 W€ arrive in port, and then thou shalt go to thy mate, who must 
 
166 
 
 be sorrowing for thee ere this. One of the men has caught the 
 bird and brought it to me. I put it in my workbasket; it did 
 not lie still, but appeared very uneasy. I peeped into the bas- 
 ket and saw its dying struggle ; it fluttered its feeble wings and 
 opened its tin}- mouth, then dropped on its side and stretched it- 
 self and was gone. Gone where? Oh, where? 
 
 Thursday, the 6th. Here we are banging about with the wind 
 dead ahead and no prospect of getting in very soon. A pilot 
 boat is in sight and B is in a quandary whether to take a pilot or 
 not. The boat has hailed us; what is best to do, take one or 
 not? I say no, we do not want a pilot here two or three days, 
 and surely there is no prospect of getting in at present. 
 
 "Brig, ahoy! Do j^ou want a pilot?" 
 
 "I shall take one but pay nothing off shore," was B's an- 
 swer. Thev consulted a moment then said, "Heave to." Ac- 
 cordingly it was done, and a boat put out in a trice and boarded 
 us with a pilot, who appears to be a very civil person, and has 
 a head almost white, but not a particle of gray about it. 
 
 Friday, the 7th. I awoke this morning and found the brig 
 rolling and pitching about like a mad thing, and as I felt sea- 
 sick 'did not rise till half past nine o'clock. The wind was blow- 
 ing very fresh, the clouds were gathering fast, the barometer 
 falling. Such was the state of matters in the morning; and 
 soon B began to talk of reefing do^^ai and then the drops of 
 rain fell; then such a rummaging all over the cabin for 
 sou' westers, oil clothes, comforters, India rubber Jackets, woolen 
 stockings, etc., — ominous signs. And surely it did set in blow- 
 ing and raining with a heavy cross sea, and the brig nowhere 
 near her course. 0, dear ! When shall we get in ? 
 
 Saturday. The wind has gone down, and the heavy sea 
 smoothed itself quite nicel}', but we want a fair wind the most 
 of anything at present. 
 
 Evening. The wind is now fair, but very light. Xo com- 
 plaining with it this way. 
 
 Sunday, the 9th. We have finally got through the narrows, 
 and anchored in full sight of Xew York. It is rather per- 
 plexing to bo at anchor here, now we are so near, but so it 
 must be. 
 
 Mondav, the 10th. At one o'clock the wind breezed up 
 enough to fill the sails, and at last we are safe in New York. 
 
 Evening. Have just taken a cab and driven to the Pearl 
 Street House, there to remain for a few days. I hardly dare 
 trust myself out of my room, for fear of being lost. 
 
167 
 
 Tuesday, 11th. There is an Englishman and lady stopping 
 at the house, a fine looking man indeed. The rotundity of his 
 abdomen at once bespoke his nation. I have conversed consid- 
 erably with them. They are traveling for pleasure, and this 
 forenoon have visited the picture gallery, but were disappointed 
 in the paintings, as their taste had been vitiated by previously 
 visiting "the much more splendid ones of Paris." 
 
 Wednesday, the 13th. The house can lodge between three and 
 four hundred persons, and employs twenty-five girls and quite as 
 many colored men as servants. Their expenses must be great, 
 and well they might be, for they charge a dollar a day for each 
 boarder, so our board will amount to fourteen dollars per week. 
 
 Saturday, the 15th. I feel rather lonely as I have no ac- 
 quaintance here, and B is gone all day. I walked out to-day, 
 but was glad to come back again, for my shoes pinched my 
 feet so bad that it was almost torture for me to walk. 
 
 The English j^eople have left for Newport, where they will 
 remain a short time, then return to this place. 
 
 Sunday. Afternoon. B and myself concluded to go to 
 church, accordingly dressed and walked out, but could find no 
 church that we could find a seat, and after walking through 
 Broadway we returned and spent the rest of the day at home. 
 
 Monday. I have formed quite an agreeable acquaintance with 
 Capt. Sampson and wife. She is a very sociable lady. It 
 makes it very pleasant to find in our concourse with the 
 world, people with whom we can associate as freely as though 
 they were old acquaintances. 
 
 Wednesday, the 9th. We are now ready to sail. The car- 
 riage is at the door, and I must eat a mouthful and run. 
 
 Thursday, the 20th. We are now fairly at sea, with a fine 
 breeze and a cook that knows just nothing at all. B has had 
 to tell him everything that he has done, even to scouring out 
 his boilers and washing his dishes. 
 
 Friday, the 28th. One week has passed since I wrote any- 
 thing, and during this time have been blessed with a head wind 
 the whole continual time without changing. B has been quite 
 unwell, but is better to-day. The cook is getting along much 
 better than we prophesied upon our first coming out. He can 
 get the meals without help, and appears to be quite neat, and 
 very obliging. 
 
 It is quite discouraging to be harrassed with head winds all 
 the time, when we wish to make a quick passage. Change, oh 
 thou wind, and blow us along to Sagua La Grande. 
 
168 
 
 It is evening, and I have spent the whole of the day at work 
 upon a pocket handkerchief and now ana reflecting how much 
 needless work I have bestowed upon such a trifling article. Oh, 
 what is time — time that is wasted? 
 
 Sunday, the 30th. No change yet. The wind still ahead, 
 and no prospect as yet of its being otherwise. We came away 
 from New York without procuring any books to read, which 
 T consider a sad misfortune, for those that we have, have been 
 read through and through. B is reading aloud, so I must stop 
 writing or may inadvertantly write what he is reading. 
 
 Saturday, the 5th. We have a fine breeze now. Abaco 
 lighthouse is in sight; we shall soon be on the Bahama Banks, 
 and shall, in all probability, be over before morning. There 
 are quite a number of vessels in sight ; one that was in company 
 with us two days ago and before night was out of sight ahead', 
 is now some miles astern. 
 
 Sunday, the 6th. All clear of the banks. Left them this 
 morning at six o'clock. 
 
 Tuesday, the 8th. Arrived at Sagua this day at twelve 
 o'clock. 
 
 Saturday, the 12th. It is an exceedingly warm morning; 
 scarcely a breath of air is stirring, and the thermometer stand- 
 ing at eighty. 
 
 This is a very lonesome place, not but two buildings in sight. 
 No society, excepting from the vessels, which are lying at 
 anchor. I do not expect to see a female while here. Nor 
 to step my foot on shore. Pleasure did not induce B to 
 come to this place. His society induced me ; were it not for that 
 I and old Neptune would cut acquaintance at once. 
 
 Our crew are a very troublesome set; two of them are boys, 
 and the two older ones do all in their power to make them bad, 
 I think. 
 
 Friday, the 2 2d. I have neglected writing for a long time, 
 during which time several things of importance have occurred. 
 Last Sunday night B was taken out of his head ; which was oc- 
 casioned by his being in the sun too long. He was so violent 
 that we thought best to send for Capt. Davis and Capt. French. 
 It took three men to hold him; but the paroxysm did not last 
 long. They tried to bleed him, but could not succeed, owing to 
 a very dull lance. The next morning Captain Davis succeeded 
 in getting nearly a pint from him, which relieved his head im- 
 mediately. I am happy to say that now he is almost as well 
 aii usual. 
 
169 
 
 There are now two American ladies in the harbor, one of 
 them I have not yet seen, but expect her on board to-morrow. 
 It is rather lonely here. I have not seen a female belonging to 
 this place yet, and probably shall not at all. 
 
 Sunday, the 24th. Onr vessel is now piled up on deck sky 
 high, there being scarcely room to get out and in of her. I 
 am almost sick, and feel as though lying here a few weeks longer 
 would nearly finish nue. I hope we shall sail before another 
 Sunday. The air is thick; my spirits are at a very low ebb. 
 Oh, dear ! What shall I do ? 
 
 July 4th. We are now leaving the port of Sagua. This 
 morning at daylight, six captains with their boats' crews, came 
 on board to help us off, which looked very kind indeed, and soon 
 we weighed anchor and were off. 
 
 Sunday, the 11th. We are now as far north as Cape Hatteras, 
 and think that one week more will carry us to New York. It 
 is not very pleasant to be loaded with sugar and molasses; the 
 smell arising from it is very annoying. 
 
 Everything in the cabin is entirely covered with a whitish 
 coat, which, with the smell of the gas made by the heated 
 sweetening, is at times almost intolerable; but I hope that the 
 worst of it is now over, as we are in much colder weather than 
 we have been. The thermometer three days ago stood at 92 
 in the cabin where the sun does not shine for the day, and on 
 the top of the house it was impossible for me to hold my hand 
 without blistering it. 
 
 I have not much to amuse me now, as I have nearly com- 
 pleted the quantity of work that I allotted myself to perform 
 so I sit^on deck and watch the eary birds skipping gracefully 
 over the waves, just touching lightly the glassy surface with 
 their tiny feet, watching for something, which, peradventure, 
 the vessels may 'drop in their progress over the world of waters. 
 
 It is a matter of wonder to me how these little creatures 
 live; ever on the wing as they appear to be. Where do they 
 make their nests, and where hatch their young? I have seen 
 them more than a thousand miles from the shore, and wondered 
 if they were ever tired; or if, when night came, they had no 
 place to rest their weary little wings. I should much like to 
 learn the history of these birds, or Mother Gary's chickens, as 
 they ai^ called. 
 
 Thursday, the 14th. We have made our passage in ten 
 days, which is much sooner than I calculated upon when we 
 left Sagua, and are now lying within speaking 'distance from 
 the wharves of New York. 
 
170 
 
 Voyage from Portland to Havana, January 16, 1848. 
 Sunday, the 16tli. We left Thompson's hotel this morning, 
 where we had comfortaly spent four weeks, and took a cab 
 to Central wharf ; from thence stepped into a boat and were soon 
 on board of the bark Agenora. The wind being light, we did 
 not get under way until afternoon, when all sails were set, and 
 we bade farewell to our native hills, and proceeded upon our 
 voyage. 
 
 Monday. We have had quite a comfortable time so far, and 
 I have not experienced the horror of seasickness yet. I have 
 arranged my workbasket before me, so if I should feel a dispo- 
 sition to work I could do so. 
 
 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. For three days I have been 
 under the influence of old N^eptune, I suppose, for I have been 
 continually casting up my accounts. Oh, dear! Oh, dear! 
 
 Sunday. Pleasant and a fair wind, but the Agenora is a 
 dull sailing vessel and leaks badly. 
 
 Monday. A fine breeze and we are going along comfortably. 
 
 Saturday. We are now near the Hole in the Wall, and hope to 
 see it before night. Last night we spoke a ship from Havre 
 bound to Orleans, the first vessel that we have spoken since we 
 came out. I think she sailed well, for in seven hours from the 
 time we first saw her, she passed us and was soon far away. 
 
 Monday. We are upon the Bahama Banks, and there is 
 not so much water as u,*iual. o 
 
 February 2d. Wednesday. Here we are fast aground upon 
 the banks and the tide is leaving us, and only two fathoms of 
 water. 
 
 Thursday, the 3d. We fortunately got off without difficulty, 
 which was more than we expected to do. 
 
 Friday. Nothing but head winds since Monday, and there 
 is quite a fleet of vessels at anchor, ready to improve the first 
 fair wind. 
 
 Saturday. At last a breeze has favored us. 
 
 Sunday. We are now in sight of Matanzas, and hope to be 
 at Havana to-morrow. 
 
 Monday morning. A nice breeze and we are going along 
 finely. 
 
 Afternoon. We are now at anchor after a passage of twenty - 
 one days. It is much colder than I ever felt it in the West In- 
 dies before, and I do really need a shawl to make myself com- 
 fortable, arid my feet are almost frozen. A cold norther is the 
 cause of all this. 
 
171 
 
 Thursday. An officer has just come aboard, to stay, I suppose, 
 until we are discharged. He is sitting in a chair where B sat 
 him, minutely scrutinizing everything he sees around him. I 
 suppose that he cannot speak English, so I will not attempt to 
 talk with him. B seems to be very busy to-day. 
 
 Sunday, the 12th. This morning I rose quite early and went 
 with B to market, and such a hubbub and jabbering; we pur- 
 chased lettuce, tomatoes, plantain, green corn, radishes, garlic, 
 peppers, beef. 
 
 Evening. A beautiful moonlight evening, but there is a tre- 
 mendous wind which makes the very rigging whistle right out. 
 There is music ashore, drums and fife, and I don't know what 
 not. I presume that there is a play at the theater, or a bull 
 fight or something of the sort to desecrate the Sabbath. 
 
 I don't know how long we shall lie here ; business is exceed- 
 ingly dull, and the harbor is full of vessels. The times look 
 discouraging. 
 
 Friday, the 17th. Last evening went ashore in company \ 
 with Captain Frank Soule and lady, and' Captain Harding. 
 We walked through the governor's yard and heard the music, 
 then partook of ice creams and waited for our boat, which did 
 not come to the right place for us through a mistake. 
 
 I feel very lonely at times, especially when B is ashore. 
 I should be glad to spend more time than I generally do 
 on shore, for it is very little use to go to a place, unless we can 
 have the privilege of walking around and seeing all there is to 
 be seen. I should judge by what I have seen, that this is the 
 finest city among the West Indies 
 
 Sunday, the 20th. Frank and wife have come to spend the 
 day witlf us. It is a most delightful morning. The air beau- 
 tifully clear and exhilarating, — ^such is the month of Februajry 
 with us. 
 
 Afternoon. Captain H wishes us to go and take supper with 
 him, and if all parties agree to it we shall go. They all say go. 
 
 Monday, the 21st. We all dined on board of the Capt. Hard- 
 ing and spent the evening in singing. 
 
 A few days ago a slave killed his master by stabbing him. 
 His punishment was to have his head twitched from his body, 
 then to be dragged through the streets, for a warning to all 
 others who should be tempted to do the like deed. 
 
 Tuesday. Waishington'a birthday. Every American vessel 
 in the harl)or has hoisted all its flags in remembrance of the 
 Father of our Country. We have an invitation to take supper 
 with Captain Sweetser, but B thinks it best not to go. 
 
172 
 
 What would our friends at home think to see us dressed in 
 thin muslin, and sitting on a marble bench in the open air, with 
 heads uncovered in the moonshine, for hours without being cold 
 in the month of February? Yet it \s even so; the mild climate 
 here will adlnit of even this now. 
 
 Our officer has left us, having performed his duty. B spends 
 a considerable part of the day ashore, and I have no one to 
 talk with, which makes me at times very lonesome. 
 
 Monday, the 28th. A Spaniard has just been aboard. He 
 is a noted smuggler. A fine, erect form, and full black eye, 
 with a large mustache, and a long, deep scar extending from 
 his chin to his ear, complete to my mind's eye, a regular 
 smuggler, and such he was. He enlarged greatly upon the 
 bad laws of his country, and the manner in which the females 
 were kept. They are not allowed to go out in the daytime 
 unless they ride, and even then they must be accompanied by 
 some of their friends ; and they consider it horrible to leave an 
 unmarried female alone in the house, but if she has a married 
 sister with her, whose age is not one-half that of her own, it is 
 all right and proper. 
 
 Tuesday, the 29th. Mrs. S is here and we think of going to 
 a party this evening on board of Capt. Sawyer's brig. Parties 
 are all the go now. I have been to two, and had several invita- 
 tions, but did' not think it best to go. 
 
 We did go and a fine time we had, too. There were about thirty 
 there — six Spanish ladies who seemed to enjoy themselves much. 
 
 March 6th. Yesterday Captain Soule and family came on 
 board to spend the day with us; in the afternoon we all went 
 ashore and took a short walk, then we concluded that we would 
 try a ride in one of the comical carriages of the place. Accord- 
 ingly we stepped into one and away we trotted at a slow pace, 
 with the driver seated upon the horse. He agreed to drive us 
 an hour for eighty cents, and after he had driven us as far as he 
 thought proper, he came to a full stop so we alighted' and 
 walked around and gathered a beautiful bouquet, and regaled 
 our senses with the delightful perfume of the country air. 
 
 After we had satisfied ourselves with rambling, the old darkev 
 turned his vehicle and we got in, and as we rode back we had 
 one of the most favorable opportunities imaginable to see the 
 fashionables, as they had all paraded themselves in a pub- 
 lie walk to see their new general who was to ride out, and indeed 
 w? met him and his escort. 
 
 Among other things we saw the masqueraders parading 
 through the streets, some of them were the most hideous looking 
 creatures that I ever saw. 
 
173 
 
 Well, after we had been gone one hour and forty minutes, 
 we were landed where we started fri)m, and our driver wanted 
 two dollars for his services. 
 
 Saturday, the 8th. We are now at Matanzas, where we were 
 ordered to complete our cargo. We started yesterday morning, 
 and arrived this morning. Oh, how I suffered from seasick- 
 ness ; although it was only for a short time, yet it seemed almost 
 as much as human nature could bear. W^hat I am to do during 
 our voyage to Hamburg, I cannot tell, but I am here, and must 
 go, live or die. 
 
 Thursday, the 23d. This morning at four o'clock got under 
 way; the wind breezed lightly from the land, so we were for- 
 tunate enough to get out, and now we have commenced our voy- 
 across the Atlantic. I feel somewhat different than I did while 
 contemplating it. My fears have nearly subsided concerning 
 the tedious hours which will intervene between the present time 
 and the time of our arrival there. 
 
 It is so pleasant to-day that one would hardly imagine that 
 the placid and calm waters could ever be lashed into foamy 
 mountains reaching apparently to the very clouds ; but although 
 the sky now looks smiling and the breeze light, yet, before 
 another morning shines upon our head, we may be in the midst 
 of a tempest, such as we never before witnessed. 
 
 Three o'clock. B has laid himself down to take a little nap, 
 the men are busy securing every movable thing on deck, while I 
 am doing nothing but watching the vessel which started with us 
 this morning, and is outsailing us shamefuly. We are loaded 
 very deep and the vessel's bottom is very foul, owing to our ly- 
 ing so long at Havana. Just after we started I took a look 
 over the stern at the rudder, which was covered with barnacles 
 and long grass. Who wonders if we make a long passage? 
 Not I. 
 
 April 10th. We have now been out eighteen 'days, and thus 
 far have had no bad weather. We go along slowly and are not 
 yet so far east as the Newfoundland Banks. To-day the 
 weather is fine, and the sea so smooth that I have exercised con- 
 siderably, which is a great relief to me, for I am obliged for 
 the most of the time to keep very still, especially if there is 
 much motion to the vessel. I have had my usual share of sea- 
 sickness since we sailed, and do not presume to think that it 
 is all over yet; if it should become rough and boisterous, I 
 should be sick before two hours had expired. 
 
 Thursday,, the 13th. We have known but little what bad 
 weather is as yet, and do hope that we shall be so fortunate as 
 
174 
 
 to arrive at our destined port in safety. I do sometimes feel 
 very impatient for the time to pass away, but I know that my 
 days will be just so many less. 
 
 Tuesday, the 19th. This morning we passed a ship home- 
 ward bound. We exchanged latitude and longitude, showed 
 our colors, and then passed on. We have had head wind's a 
 good part of the time since we came out, but now have been 
 blessed with a favorable breeze for the past twenty-four hours, 
 and, if it will only last, how thankful we shall be. 
 
 I have not much to employ my time about, except reading, 
 and I soon get tired of that; it is uncomfortable reading long 
 at a time while the vessel is in continual motion. 
 
 April 2 2d. We have a most delightful breeze which has 
 lasted three days. We have gone one hundred and sixty miles 
 the last twenty-four hours, which is very encouraging. 
 
 Wednesday, the 26th. I have been on deck for the last two 
 hours, and have strained my eyes in every direction to get a 
 glimpse of a vessel, but all to no purpose. We have now been 
 out thirty-five days, and it is not strange that the eye is tired 
 of gazing upon the everlasting waters below, here and there 
 occasionally dotted' with a white sail, and the blue sky above, 
 ''Ever changing, still the same.'' Yes, we are truly a little 
 world of our own; every day the same faces greet us, the same 
 voices sound in our ears, — no change, no variety. The sails are 
 furled and again spread to catch the breeze; yes, even the same 
 wind blows, only occasionaly changing its quarters, still it is 
 the same. 
 
 Oh, what would I not give for one handful of flowers fresh 
 from the garden? They would be like gold to my senses, yes, 
 far preferable. 
 
 Friday, the 28th. We are now almost by the Western Islands, 
 and very glad am I. Oh, dear ! how the bark is pitching, 
 almost enough to jump one's eye teeth out and I am sick. 
 
 Saturday, the 29th. We have just spoken a Bremen bark 
 whose deck was covered with passengers. It was a cheering 
 sight to come in full view at once of so many human faces. 
 After being so long shut out of the world, it did create quite a 
 sensation in my breast to see the freight of human souls. They 
 waved their handkerchiefs and made such a noise that it 
 was impossible to distinctly hear what their longitude was, 
 although B was quite anxious to ascertain whether his chromom- 
 eter was right or not. They passed quickly by, and were gone. 
 So it is with things on the ocean, — we have but a momentary 
 interview and part. 
 
175 
 
 May 2d. This morning at eleven o'clock we spoke a French 
 ship bound to Havre. As we are nearing the English Channel, 
 we see vessels quite plenty. 1 hope that we shall be on sound- 
 ings to-morrow if the wind stands where it is now. There 
 seems to be some prospect of our getting over the broad At- 
 lantic at last, although we are yet a thousand miles from Ham- 
 burg; but if we can only see the land it will be quite a treat, 
 after seeing nothing but sky and' water for six long weeks. 
 But as we have been blessed so far by not experiencing any se- 
 vere gales^ I will not murmur nor complain if we do have a 
 long passage. 
 
 Friday, ithe 5th. Yesterday morning sounded and found 
 bottom, which was quite a satisfaction, after being so long 
 where no bottom can be obtained. 
 
 Saturday, the 6th. At two o'clock saw the land, and it is 
 surely very pleasant to see once more Mother Earth, if it is 
 not my native land. I often, in childhood, when studying 
 geography, have found Lizard's Point, and little did I think 
 that my eyes would ever behold it, but it now lies before me. 
 
 We have just received the intelligence that the river Elbe 
 is blockaded, which, being true, I suppose we shall not be able 
 to proceed to Hamburg. We shall not, however, put much 
 confidence in the pilot's report until it is better verified. 
 
 Now we are slowly proceeding on our way up the English 
 channel, and seven hundred long miles yet we have to go. 
 
 Monday, the 8th. It has been almost entirely calm for two 
 'days, and we do not get along much. The season is much 
 farther advanced here than in Maine. Somje men came from 
 the shore yesterday, and informed' us that they had been done 
 planting tor some weeks, and that potatoes were up quite high. 
 They brought us some greens, among which was a cauliflower. 
 
 10th. Yesterday a pilot boarded us and confirmed the re- 
 port that the river Elbe was blockaded by producing a paper 
 stating that it was to take place on the ninth. 
 
 Saturday, the 20th. , We have had a pilot on board' eight 
 days, and are now within twenty miles of the mouth of the 
 Elbe, and have not been stopped yet, although we have seen a 
 ship of war. The present prospect looks favorable for our get- 
 ting to Hamburg, although we may yet be disappointed. 
 
 Sunday, the 21st. We are now at anchor at Cuxhaven, at the 
 mouth of the Elbe. It is a very pretty country-looking place; 
 the trees and fields are as green as green can be ; the houses are 
 much in the stvle of our countrv houses, and I do reallv feel as 
 though I was almost at home again. Won't it be delightful to 
 
176 
 
 tread the earth once more, after being driven about lilce Noah's 
 dove for sixty days? 
 
 Afternoon. It has been rather an exciting day through- 
 out. In the morning we exchanged our English pilot for a 
 river pilot, who stayed with us about two hours; then a boat 
 came from the shore for him leaving another in his place, 
 whom we are to keep until we arrive in Hamburg. Now we are 
 going along at a fine rate and will soon be there. 
 
 This morning when I awoke the nightingale was warbling 
 out his sweet song, and the river presented a most delightful 
 appearance as we sailed along; the banks were covered with 
 flowers of every hue. 
 
 22d. Arrived at the city of Hamburg this morning; then 
 took a cab and drove to Madame Lethany's to board. She 
 is an old lady, living quite by herself with the exception of 
 two gentlemen boarders, and her servant, who is the neat- 
 est little body imaginable. She wears a neat white cap which 
 quite covers her head, and a spencer of blue fitting her form 
 perfectly, and a skirt of different color trimmed with velvet 
 around the bottom. On the whole, she is as prim a body as 
 you would wish to see, and 'does all kinds of labor, from black- 
 ing men's boots to carrying water and splitting wood. 
 
 The madame is quite old, but vain as a young girl. She 
 wears her caps trimmed with light blue and her bonnet trimmed 
 with straw color and blue. She talks quite good English, which 
 is very convenient. 
 
 Capt. Taylor and wife board here with the old lady, which 
 makes it very pleasant for us. To-day we rode out arid took 
 a view of this beautiful citv. The environs are most taste- 
 fully laid out; never did I see so much pains taken to beautify 
 any place as is here taken. The whole is like one garden 
 adorned with trees and flowers. 
 
 Saturday. To-day 'dined with Mr. Sloman, our shipbroker. 
 He is a very wealthy man. We sat at the dinner table two 
 hours, then rose and took a walk in the garden, then drank 
 our tea, arid the coach came for us and we returned home. 
 
 Sunday. Dined with Mr. Taylor, an acquaintance which we 
 have made since we came here. We spent the time very pleas- 
 antly. Sunday is a holiday here. They intend to work as 
 much as upon any other day. 
 
 Sunday, June ith. We are again invited to dine with Mr. 
 Sloman, but as it is Sunday I rather stay at home. These long 
 dinner hours do not seem like American Sabbaths. 
 
177 
 
 The madame is quite busy preparing dinner, and Katrine 
 is doing the chamber work. I have dressed myself to receive 
 callers. We have made quite a number of acquaintances since 
 we have been here, which is not often the case in a strange place. 
 
 8th. We have now paid our board bill and are ready to depart. 
 I am not sorry that we shall soon leave this place. 
 
 9th. We are now going down the Elbe with one hundred and 
 thirteen passengers, seven of them in the cabin, the rest be- 
 tween decks; they are of all ages from the infant six weeks old 
 to the man of sixty. They 'did not like the division line veiy 
 well, for they had all mixed together before we went on board, 
 and frequented the cabin as often as they pleased. 
 
 Saturday, the 10th. The passengers are sick and keep below. 
 Those in the cabin try to brave it out. 
 
 Thursday, the 15th. We now are in the straits of Dover. 
 The passengers are as brisk as bees, some knitting, some play- 
 ing cards, others at dominoes. The children seem quite happy. 
 Forty of our number are Jews, and ten of them must have 
 their victuals cooked by themselves, because they will eat no 
 swine flesh. 
 
 Saturday. The wind is now 'directly ahead, so that we have 
 made but little progress since yesterday. One would think 
 us a little world by ourselves, if they could only get a peep at 
 us as we are. 
 
 Some are sitting in groups conversing upon some subject 
 which is quite amusing, I should judge, by the roars of laughter 
 which occasionally burst from them, but I can only judge of 
 the subject by watching their motions, as I do not yet know 
 ten words of German. 
 
 W^e have a couple on board who have only been married 
 three weeks; notwithstanding the shortness of the time which 
 has elapsed since they have been bound in Hymen's silken 
 chain, they quarrel every day, and yesterday the young wife 
 gave her lord a slap in the face, because he refused to obey 
 her commands. This hasty act resulted in a determination of 
 both parties to separate by mutual consent, After some hours 
 had elapsed the wife repented herself of the act and wished 
 for a reconciliation, but the husband was stubborn and deter- 
 mined not to overlook such tyranny in his wife. Night came 
 on ; the wife came on 'deck to see her husband and after some 
 searching found him. They went by themselves; talked for 
 some time and finally became friends and retired. Soon, 
 however, B was called to her. She was in a hysterical state, 
 sometimes laughing, then crying, then convulsed. All this 
 
178 
 
 brought on by a quarrel with her husband. After a pretty 
 liberal application of cold water, arid a sedative medicine, she fell 
 asleep. 
 
 Saturday. Head wind and no news, — excepting Mr. Skilling, 
 the first mate is making love to one of the passengers. The girl 
 (foolish thing) thinks he will marry her; but if not it will break 
 her heart. Oh, dear ! 
 
 Wednesday, the 21st. Since I wrote the above I have as- 
 certained that the mate is not making love, but the girl is 
 desperately in love with him, and thinks she shall die if he 
 does not marry her, but he intends nothing of the kind.. 
 
 We have a variety of scenes daily. At one time, perhaps a 
 desperate quarrel, next a love song accompanied by the guitar — 
 again, a man may be seen walking deck with a pipe three feet 
 long, arid a bag attached to the buttonhole of his coat contain- 
 ing tobacco. 
 
 We are now in sight of the Scilly islands, and if the wind 
 continues favorable shall soon be clear of the land, and upon 
 the wide ocean. 
 
 June 30th. The last week we have had head winds all the 
 time, but now we are blessed with a fair one, which is carrying 
 us gloriously along over old ocean. Oh, for a quick passage 
 to the land of my fathers. 
 
 July 4th. Head wind and nothing else all of the time. 
 Oh ! that we were in our native state this dav to celebrate the 
 national independence of our Union. 
 
 July 10th. The wind still ahead, and the prospect looks 
 dark and gloomy. We are destined to a long passage surely, 
 but as we have plenty of company, the time does not seem quite 
 so tedious as it would otherwise. Some of the cabin passen- 
 gers are very good company, although they speak but poor 
 English. Not a day passes without a game of whist. The 
 forfeiture is one cent if they get beaten. 
 
 A calm ; the wind blows ahead, then it dies away and breezes 
 up again the same way. Since we left Hamburg we have 
 had the studdingsails set but three days, and now we have been 
 out forty-eight days. 
 
 July 23d. I do not feel well to-day and am in very bad 
 spirits, for this reason, that we have nothing but fog and head 
 winds continually. Our passengers are in good humor, and for 
 the most of the time very cheerful. I think that our voyage 
 is not yet near an end, if this head wind continues. 
 
 One of our number is an old Jewish rabbi. He, with his 
 wife and children, will eat no swine flesh, arid dare not eat 
 
179 
 
 victuals that have been cooked near where pork has been. He 
 is a preacher, but if I were to judge from appearances, I should 
 say that he is of a very low order. Their prayers consist of 
 ceremonies without words, as far as I can ascertain ; in the morn- 
 ing they may be seen winding a leather strap around their 
 arm and making motions with their heads; — this is praying. 
 
 We are not far from Halifax and a good wind would soon 
 carrv us to Xew York, but with this wind we shall be till next 
 December on the ocean. 
 
 August 6th. We took a pilot last Friday and have not yet 
 arrived. This morning the wind being fair, the passengers 
 dressed themselves up in their best, thinking that we should 
 soon be in (America as they say), but soon the wind changed 
 directly ahead, and now we are a long way from the Highlands. 
 
 The Jews' KSunday come^ on Saturday, and consequently 
 they cook nothing from Friday night until Sunday morning. 
 This morning the old rabbi was waiting for his turn to cook, 
 and at last he and his wife and daughter undertook to whip a 
 young Jew, because he did not let him have the galley when he 
 wished; but as fighting is not allowable, they were separated 
 after several blows were given. If this is a specimen of a Jew- 
 ish rabbi, oh dear ! ! 
 
 There is certainly a very peculiar sensation in returning to 
 our native land after being separated from our homes and 
 friends for months. Who knows what changes may have 
 taken place since we left, who that our hearts hold dear may 
 now be with the silent dead? There is a dread as well as a 
 pleasure in returning to our homes. 
 
 7th. Arrived this evening, and oh, how much rejoicing on 
 board of >our good old bark to think that we are safe in America 
 at last. 
 
 Tuesday, the 8th. Have been on shore and have spent the 
 evening at the Pearl Street House with my brother and wife. 
 
 Friday, the 18th. This morning at nine o'clock the bark 
 was hauled up on the screw dock to be coppered, and the men 
 soon commenced work, and now it is six and they will soon be 
 done and oS. we will go again. One hundred men at work un- 
 der the vessel's bottom makes a great noise, — pound, pound, 
 pound', all of the time. But it will soon cease, and I shall be 
 glad. 
 
 September 2d. This day left New York for Limerick, Ire- 
 land, with a most glorious breeze, and with our vessel loaded 
 deep with corn for the hungry people. 
 
180 
 
 September 3d. We have our good wind yet, and as long as 
 iti continues this way I shall not be sick. 
 
 Wednesday, the 7th. Exceedingly monotonous. The wind is 
 so light that we are scarcely moving at all. How cheering a 
 good breeze would be. 
 
 Saturday, the 9th. The wind is very light but there is a 
 very bad sea heaving in from the southeast, which looks rather 
 ominous. We are on the lookout for a blow. 
 
 Sunday morning. The wind has commenced blowing a per- 
 fect gale. 
 
 Twelve o'clock. The bark is now lying to under close 
 reefed maintopsails, and the sea is running quite high. It 
 blows tremendously; occasionally a large sea boards us and 
 fills the lee side ful}. Ezra and myself are sitting quietly in the 
 cabin, he without any fear at all, singing quite cheerfully. I am 
 thinkmg. 
 
 Evening, nine o'clock. The wind has abated, and the bark is 
 now before the wind, but we are rolling back and forth at an 
 a'w^ful rate. No com^fort for me this night ;although I am 
 wedged in my berth with pillows on both sides, of me, still I roll. 
 
 Monday, the 11th. This morning arose after a most 
 wretched night, and was quite surprised to find that it was al- 
 most calm. Soon B commenced putting sail upon the vessel; 
 we took breakfast, and immediately the wind commenced blow- 
 ing at a most furious rate, and before sail could be taken off, 
 her lee side was all under water. Such a sight ! She lay 
 down just like a dish when we dip it full of water. It seems 
 almost impossible for the masts to stand this horrible gale; 
 her lower vards are in the water. It blows as hard as I have 
 ever witnessed it in my sailor life. It makes my nerves, as 
 strong as they are, quiver to see the men up to their necks in 
 water, hauling the ropes, should they lose their hold they are 
 gone. Xew sails and a strong vessel are now our only hope of 
 safety. 
 
 The cook, a grinning old darkey, is in extraordinary good 
 spirits; the gale seems to increase his activity. 
 
 Afternoon. The gale has somewhat abated, but still it 
 blows extremely hard. We are still lying to under a small part 
 of the spanker and a tarpaulin in the mizzen rigging. The sea 
 still comes over us, filling the vessel so full that we are obliged 
 to keep the forward doors closed, and the only egress is the 
 little dodgehole in the after part of the cabin. I have just had 
 a short nap while in the midst of the boiling surges of the 
 
181 
 
 ocean, and awoke not at all refreshed, wondering why I dared to 
 go to sleep. 
 
 Tuesda}^, the 12th. The wind and sea have gone down a 
 little, and now we are progressing on our way with some pros- 
 pect of a tolerably comfortable day, although the vessel rolls 
 very badly, and there is so much water on deck that it is im- 
 possible to go back and forth without getting wet feet. 
 
 Such feelings as we on board of this little bark have, you who 
 live on the land can never know. 
 
 Wednesday, the 13th. During the night the sea has gone 
 down, and now we have a most beautiful wind, going at the 
 rate of six miles per hour. We are now on sounding on the 
 Newfoundland Banks, and it is so cold that I am obliged to 
 keep my shawl, on and have cold fingers at that. 
 
 Friday, the 15th. Nothing of importance to note down to- 
 day. The wind is not favorable, and consequently we are not 
 advancing as fast as we have done for the last two days. 
 
 My canary bird, which the mate presented to me, has ceased 
 to sing since its companions are taken from the vessel (for we 
 had three on board all the way from Hamburg) ; now it sits 
 silent all day in its cage. It is a very pretty bird, and I am ex- 
 ceedingly sorry that it has lost its song. Poor thing ! 
 
 Tuesday, the 20th. We have had a fair wind every day since 
 last Wednesday, and are now in the longitude of the Western 
 Islands, and within eight hundred miles of the river Shannon, 
 and if we are favored with this wind six days more, I hope 
 that we shall see old Ireland, which will be a very quick voyage 
 across the Atlantic. 
 
 The cook seems to be a funny old fellow. He has spent forty 
 years on the ocean, and appears to understand all the crooks 
 and turns of a seafaring life. His feet have been bare ever 
 since we sailed. I think that he feels much younger than when 
 on the land. He is as quick motioned as many are at sixteen, 
 although in all probability sixty winters have passed over his 
 head. 
 
 26th. We are now within eighty miles of Ireland, and a 
 strong head wind seems determined to keep us here at pres- 
 ent. However, we ought not to complain at this, as we have 
 had a fair wind the most of the time. 
 
 Friday, the 30th. Still beating to the windward. Yesterday 
 morning saw the rugged coast of Ireland rearing its hills to 
 the sky. This makes twenty-seven days from land to land, and 
 if this head wind still continues we shall not get in for some 
 
182 
 
 time yet. It is rather aggravating to be so near and have the 
 wind keep us off. 
 
 October 2d. Yesterday we entered the Shannon at six 
 in the morning and proceeded slowly along the river. I was 
 truck by the barren appearance of the hills, — scarcely a tree to 
 be seen. Even at this early period our eyes are distressed at 
 the poverty of the poor wretches who come off in the boats with 
 the pilots. They have scarcely a covering for their backs. 
 
 October 3d. Last night came to anchor and this morning 
 got under way at five. The scenery looks rather more invit- 
 ing than yesterday; occasionally a tree is to be seen. The 
 land is divided into small patches, which the landholders rent 
 at enormous prices to the poor people. 
 
 Thursday, the 5th. By the aid of a steamboat we are now 
 lying in what is called the Pool, and have commenced discharg- 
 ing. I do think that Limerick is a pretty place, as near as I 
 can judge from where we lay. Many of the buildings are very 
 fine, and were it not for the miserable laws which the people 
 are subjected to, they certainly might compete with any nation 
 in the world. We have the custom house officers on board, 
 who appear to be very civil men, indeed, and one of them very 
 intelligent. He appears to regret the state of affairs in his 
 country much, and in truth they all do, and would glady have a 
 change were it in their power; but they cannot support a war, 
 so they must endure the present existing evils. 
 
 October 17th. We have been here some time now, and I 
 have had a good opportunity of ascertaining the state of af- 
 fairs in this poor country. The poor people are in a wretched 
 condition and at present there appears to be no prospect of a 
 change. The crops are cut off, and grain is very high, so that 
 the lowest class cannot get it, and are obliged to beg or steal, 
 which they will do if in their power. Yet, they appear thank- 
 ful for the smallest crust you give them, and will bless you 
 in one continual flow of blessings and prayer as long as you 
 will listen to them. 
 
 Yesterday I had a visit from the lace girls (who, by the way, 
 often trouble me) importuning me to purchase of them against 
 my will and inclination. "Now, I will let you have this beauti- 
 ful dress at a bargain, and if you will take it, we will be pray- 
 ing for 3'Ou all your passage!" But they could not prevail 
 and left me. 
 
 • 17th. This morning we have finished discharging and shall 
 be ready for sea to-morrow, and hope to have a fair wind. 
 
183 
 
 Thursday. We are now going out of the Shannon with a 
 fair wind and shall soon discharge the pilot, and proceed to 
 sea, bound up the straits to the Island of Sicily. 
 
 November 2d. This morning I awoke early and went on deck 
 and found we were fairly in the straits, and entirely becalmed. 
 There are many vessels in sight in the same situation as our- 
 selves. The land is high, reaching to the clouds; the moun- 
 tain tops are now shrouded in a soft, white mist. Here and 
 there a cliff projects beyond the rest in bold relief, — this, with 
 the sea as calm as if asleep, presents a beautiful scene to one 
 whose eye is tired of the raging ocean. 
 
 Saturday, the -ith. We are still becalmed and have advanced 
 but very little since we passed the straits; however, we do hope 
 to get a wind, and arrive at our destined port in safety. Were 
 it not for this hope, we should be entirely discouraged. 
 
 Monday, the 6th. Throughout the day there has not been 
 wind enough to fill the sails. The sky has been as calm and 
 peaceful as at mid-summer. The sun went down gloriously, 
 lighting up one-half of the ocean, which looked like one 
 sheet of burnished gold. 
 
 The men have cleaned up the deck, coiled up all the rope, 
 and "swept up." The cook has given us all our suppers, so 
 now I suppose he is eating his meal, which, by the by, he does 
 but once a day (so he says). He is a good natured negro, has 
 always a grin ready, and in fact is quite entertaining. Be- 
 ing an old sailor he can spin a good yarn. 
 
 The birds from the land have come on board of us to-day, 
 and puss caught one poor little thing and after playing with it 
 for sometime she devoured it ; a dainty morsel I suppose it was 
 to her as we have no mice. She appears to gain friends, which 
 was more than I anticipated when she first came on board. 
 No one seemed to notice her in any other way than with a kick 
 or a blow; now she is even allowed to take a seat in the cap- 
 tain's lap, and occupy it as long as she pleases. But she seems 
 to have a great propensity to eye my canary when its cage is 
 hung outside the cabin, and upon two occasions she has made 
 the attempt to take the bird from the cage. If she should do 
 it, woe be to her ! However, I take the precaution to shut the 
 bird up in one of the staterooms. 
 
 November 7th. A beautiful evening such as we often have in 
 August at home. It is just warm enough to sit in the moon- 
 light without a bonnet. I have been pacing the deck fore and 
 aft and talking with the cook, who was washing his dishes by 
 
184 
 
 moonlight, then chatted' awhile with the mate, who appears lost 
 in thought, gazing at the calm sea and bright stars reflected 
 upon its glassy surface glittering like diamonds. He is a per- 
 son very retiring in his manners, and I do find it very difficult 
 to converse with him, yet, notwithstanding all this, we like 
 him very much. The second mate, on the contrary, is very 
 talkative, and if a person is disposed to listen, he will talk as 
 long as you like. 
 
 Ezra is studying his lesson, and is now ready to recite it to 
 me, which he does every 'day. 
 
 No wind yet of any consequence. 
 
 Wednesday, the 8th. Last evening a light breeze sprang up 
 and we went along through the night at the rate of four knots. 
 This morning it freshened up and has lasted through the day, 
 so that I hope we shall not be becalmed again. It is now seven 
 o'clock in the evening and a counterpart of last evening, 
 with this addition, that the moon is upon the increase, and 
 more light is reflected upon the sea, — yes, the Mediterranean 
 sea and we are now near the cluster of islands called Majorca, 
 Minorca and Iviza, which I have often puzzled my brain 
 to remember when a schoolgirl, little dreaming that I should 
 ever be so near them as I now am. Yet, I must allow that 
 I did at times have a presentment that I should travel, and 
 perhaps should meet with somebody more than persons in my 
 situation ordinarily do. My anticipations are in a measure 
 fulfilled. 
 
 The wind has been very baffling since we entered the straits, 
 sometimes for a while fair, arid the next half hour ahead, then 
 back again in the same place. Last evening we were going 
 slowly along with square yards, and upon looking ahead we 
 saw a brig coming towards us with her yards as square as ours ; 
 we were not a mile apart. However, when she came abreast 
 oi us she was obliged to leave her fair wind behind, and to 
 brace up, which we were quite willing that she should do. 
 
 Thursday, the 9th. Arose this morning at six o'clock, 
 dressed and washed myself, then took my position in the door- 
 way, watching Mr. Skillings and his watch with their stock- 
 ings off arid their pantaloons rolled up to their knees, washing 
 decks, a ceremony which they go through every morning.* As 
 I was amusing myself looking at them, I cast my eyes to the 
 sky and saw that its peaceful look was in a measure stirred, 
 and something like a scowl was gathering there. Well, in 
 fifteen minutes from this time every person was called, and 
 orders were given to clew up, haul in the studdingsails, which 
 
185 
 
 were all set and lay aloft, rig in the booms, furl the topgal- 
 lantsail, reef the topsails. "Two reefs or one?^' asked the 
 mate. "Two/' was the answer. "Aye, aye, sir !" And they 
 reefed them and came down. "Now brace up the main yard, 
 topsail yard, topgallant yard !" "Well." Foreyard topsail, 
 and topgallant yard !" "Well, all well,"etc. And such a con- 
 fusion, the decks all covered with ropes; everyone hauling here 
 and there. The wind came up before all was snug, however, 
 it did no damage, but has blown pretty severely all day, which is 
 the first wind that we have had since we entered the straits. 
 
 Friday, the 10th. During the night the wind moderated and 
 the reefs were shaken, out and this morning the same scene was 
 acted over again. 
 
 When the men came from aloft the two mates had some 
 hard words which did not result in blows, but the second mate 
 said that he would not be imposed upon, and Mr. Skillings said 
 that if he did not pass the earing right next time, he should 
 do it over again. But B finally called the second mate to do 
 something, whereupon it ended. 
 
 Saturday, the 11th. We have had a fine wind all night and 
 are now seventy-two miles nearer to Palermo than last night 
 at eight o'clock. We expect to • see the island of Sardinia at 
 four o'clock if the wind continues. 
 
 Sunday, the 12th. A fine wind. The Island of Sardinia 
 is on our quarter and Palermo not three hundred miles ahead ; 
 so we go along, with square yards and all studdingsails set, 
 at the rate of nine knots. This is the kind of sailing that 
 suits me. B has laid down to take a nap as he was up last night 
 until t\YO o'clock, we being near the land, he, with his natural 
 anxiety could not sleep, so he paced the deck all the time, 
 whiffing away at his. cigar, his greatest consoler in times of ex- 
 citement. Such is the effect of habit upon a nervous and excit- 
 able system. 
 
 Monday, the 13th. This morning at six o'clock the Island 
 of Sicily was all in sight, and now the men are getting the chains 
 on deck v/hich looks like getting somewhere. A nice breeeze is 
 carrying us swifty to Palermo. 
 
 Afternoon, four o'clock. We can now see the entrance to 
 the harbor, but the wind has died away so we are making very 
 slow progress. . The land is exceedingly high and' rugged, and 
 the sides of the mountains look as though they were severed 
 from some mighty mass, by some convulsion of nature. 
 
 Evening. We are at anchor and the city lies before us with 
 its thousand lights glittering like diamonds. The night 
 
18(3 
 
 being overcast makes them more visible. A boat came along- 
 side in which was an American captain from Limerick. He 
 informs us that we shall be quarantined twenty days. Oh! 
 it is horrible to think that we must lie here so long without be- 
 ing permitted to go ashore, or on board another vessel. How- 
 ever, we shall ascertain to-morrow, and if it really be the case, 
 we must abide by it I suppose. 
 
 Tuesday, the 14th. This morning arose early to take a look 
 at the place. It is surely a very good looking place, situated 
 at the base of high and rugged mountains, which look like 
 anything else but cultivation. The city appears large, and 
 innumerable spires, turrets and domes rise every way that the 
 eye turns. The buildings are of stone, and I should judge 
 from the appearance, at this distance, that they are very fine, 
 but would, to the eye of the Xortherner, appear much finer 
 if painted white instead of a muddy yellow. A boat came along 
 side this morning and brought us fresh meat, potatoes and a 
 basket of fruit, consisting of apples, pears and some bunches 
 of the most beautiful grapes imaginable. Soon after break- 
 fast B went ashore to ascertain our fate as to quarantine, etc., 
 and soon returned, saying that for twenty-one days we must 
 lie here without even permission to go ashore, then have thirty 
 days to load after that. 
 
 The sails are unbent and sent between deck, and the men 
 are very busy mooring the vessel, taking off the chafing-gear, 
 and soon I expect that we shall be painted and look in first 
 rate style. 
 
 Wednesday, the 15th. This afternoon merely for a change, 
 B and myself got into the boat and went a few yards from the 
 the vessel on to a break-water and got out, but not being per- 
 mittted to go any farther, it was but little satisfaction. Two 
 captains, who are quarantined as well as ourselves, went with 
 us, and while there the guard would not even allow our boats to 
 touch each other. I thought that we might shake hands with 
 Captain French as we were acquainted, but to my astonish- 
 ment we were not allowed to come within three feet of each 
 other. This is downright despotism. 
 
 Since we have come back I have seen one of the surbordinate 
 guards making a complaint to one higher in power than him- 
 self concerning our three vessels, which I knew by his ges- 
 ticulations. The Italians talk with their hands, and their many 
 motions puzzle me. We have all kinds of noise about us, from 
 the ringing of tihe prayer bell, down to the whistle of the man- 
 of- war^s man. 
 
187 
 
 Thursday, the 16th. To-day I busied myself making squash 
 pies, the squash being brought off this morning and put on the 
 quay for us, so Ezra pulled ashore and got them, together with 
 a basket of grapes, which will soon be eaten. 
 
 It rains incessantly, yet the men are at work discharging bal- 
 last. I feel rather stupid to-day. 
 
 Sunday, the 19th. Here we lie and no prospect of a change 
 until the twenty-one days are fully expired, nothing to amuse 
 us but to watch the maneuvers of the people on shore, which 
 is no amusement at all. 
 
 'Tis true that we can have as much fruit as we wish, and 
 chestnuts as large as small apples, in abundance, but quite 
 tasteless; and in the midst of all this plenty we are discon- 
 tented as long as we are prisoners. A steamboat lies within 
 speaking distance bound to Naples to-morrow, and as much as 
 we wish to visit that place, we are not permitted to go. 
 
 Monday, the 20th. It being a rainy day, the men are as busy 
 as bees, scouring the vessel all over preparing for painting. 
 B is trying his skill in mixing paint, in order to get a color 
 that suits him. Stone color seems to be his favorite hobby. 
 
 This morning I had a most splendid bouquet left on the 
 shore for me, it is all of two feet in length, and made up with a 
 gredt many sweet scented herbs, an^ pinks of immense size, 
 and of various, colors. I sit and admire it and smell of it a 
 thousand times over. 
 
 Wednesday, the 22d. It has been a fine day so all hands but 
 two have been employed in painting, and as for myself, I have 
 been ironing and among other things I ironed twelve shirts, 
 so that by the time that I had finished, I felt quite tired. 
 
 Palermo, November 24, 1848. After writing my other book 
 through, and seairching all the writing desks over and over 
 for some paper or a lx>ok, all to no purpose, I had nearly 
 given up in despair, when Ezra produced a large manuscript and 
 asked if some paper from that would answer my purpose. I 
 seized it with delight, and immediately formed this book, which 
 I am now christening. 
 
 We are lying in Palermo with nothing to interest us except 
 the work, which is rapidly progressing during the twenty-one 
 days that we are quarantined. 
 
 Sunday, the 26th. A dull and rainy day; I feel in a melan- 
 choly mood, — still confined on board the vessel. I am now sit- 
 ting alone by my little stateroom window and listening to the 
 hum of voices on the Mole, occasionally interrupted by the sound 
 of the beating of a drum in the distance, or watching the 
 
188 
 
 smooth waters under the stern of the vessel, upon whose sur- 
 face every object that is stirring is reflected in long and wavy 
 lines, which answer for an object for the eye to rest upon when 
 nothing more interesting is at hand. 
 
 I have said that I was gloomy, yes, gloomy indeed, but ere 
 many years have gone the round's, I shall have paid my debt 
 to Mother Earth and be forgotten, and the things of time go 
 on the same as though I had never existed. And what is it to 
 live? It is to draw our breath, to eat, to sleep and toil for a 
 little of this world's goods, and then die and leave what we have 
 gained for some one to squander. Oh, then, how little should 
 we set our affections upon this world ! 
 
 Thursday, the 30th. My spirits are much revived since last 
 Sunday and am now in my usual mood. 
 
 We have but three or four days of quarantine, then we shall 
 soon be loaded and be off. We hope to have a short passage. 
 This morning a small vessel was put in quarantine from the 
 Island of Malta. She is loaded with wine. The laws appear 
 very foolish, indeed, to us, — to quarantine a vessel from a 
 healthy port, but they do it. 
 
 Monday, December 4th, This afternoon at two o'clock a son 
 of Francisco, B, Ezra and myself, took a carriage and drove 
 around to see the city, in which we saw many fine looking 
 palaces, the former residences of the King of Naples. We 
 rode through one fine street eight miles in length, then stopped 
 at a garden, but it being winter, the flowers were drooping. 
 Notwithstanding this, I gathered a handful of roses and a va- 
 riety of other flowers. After walking for some time, we came 
 to an iron gate which was locked, and our guide, after search- 
 ing for the key some moments in vain, went in pursuit of the 
 gardener and soon returned, bringing him with him. The 
 key was found hanging upon the body of a tree. The gate 
 was unlocked, we entered a narrow, circuitous foot-path, which 
 led through trees of various kinds, until at last we came to a 
 hut, which looked like the residence of some hermit; our guide 
 drew back for us to advance. I stepped upon the first step, and 
 to my surprise the doors flew open and an old friar stood be- 
 us dressed in a long white gown and hood. He bowed two or 
 three times and I stepped back. He withdrew and closed the 
 door after him. We left him and took another path, which 
 led to a similar 'd'welling. We walked to the door, which opened, 
 and there we saw another priest with the Bible open before him. 
 He raised his hand and motioned us away. We looked as 
 long as we wished, and took another path which soon brought 
 
189 
 
 Tis to another small hut, but of different construction, and upon 
 the door was written "no entrance." Our guide motioned us 
 to one side, then opening the door an "Old Devil" as B called 
 him, rose from his chair and turned a faucet, which sent a 
 stream of water a number of yards into the air. It would have 
 given us a good wetting, if our guide had not given us the 
 warning to step aside. We looked until we were satisfied at 
 these images which have been- there for many years, and in 
 which time has made great inroads, and which are visited by 
 every American who comes to this place, and which I have 
 heard of since my childhood. Then took our carriage and 
 and drove to a vault of dead bodies, some of which have been 
 there since the year 1636. The vault contains twelve thousand 
 or more bodies. There they stand mouldering away, day by 
 day, — the king, the priest, the citizen, the infant, with the 
 flesh consumed from their bones, but the skin remains for many 
 years; but of some nothing remained but the fleshless skull, 
 with their hollow eye-sockets staring at you with a ghastly, 
 deathly stare: A few are preserved, and they have quite a 
 natural appearance. One little boy I noticed with eyes as bright 
 and sparkling as when living, but the greater part were rapidly 
 decaying. An old friar waited upon us around, and stood 
 ready for his fee at our departure, then came and waved his 
 adieus through the iron railing in the yard as we departed, well 
 satisfied for his trouble. 
 
 The vault had a very disagreeable sm^ll as we descended, but 
 after we were fairly down the air was much better, and we went 
 around very comfortably as to that respect. 
 
 On our way to a public promenade, we stopped at a church 
 which w'as built by the King, the most magnificent building my 
 eyes ever beheld. The doors are open every dav until dark, 
 and people are there at all hours of the day saying their prayers. 
 They come in when they are passing to and from their bus- 
 iness and cross themselves with the holy water, arid kneel upon 
 one knee for a moment and are up and off with a clear con- 
 science. The priests w6re there in great numbers, from the boy 
 of eight, to the old, gray-headed man, all dressed in their 
 robes. I have often heard of the influence of this class of per- 
 sons, but never realized how great their power might be until I 
 saw how exceedingly numerous they are in this plac. This 
 closed our acquaintance with Palermo for the first day, and we 
 came on board well satisfied with our ride. 
 
 Tuesday, the 5th. This afternoon we went to visit a small 
 city situated eight miles from Palermo. Our path being in 
 
190 
 
 a zig-zag direction, and up hill, made the distance seem much 
 longer than it really was. In two hours we were near our 
 stopping place, and, being upon an eminence, we had a fine 
 view of Palermo, which is situated at the base of the moun- 
 tain. The background is very level, and entirely covered with 
 olive trees, grapevines and nut trees, interspersed with a neat 
 little cottage here and there, peeping through the thick foliage. 
 The inhabitants of Palermo manufacture their own wine and 
 oil. The prickly pear grows in abundance upon the sides and 
 tops of the mountains as far as the eye can distinguish ob- 
 jects. Many of the people subsist upon them, and in walking 
 through the streets you will see little stands covered with them 
 on every side. They are sold by weight. 
 
 When we stopped at the city and' alighted from the coach at 
 a church door which we wished to see, the first object that ar- 
 rested my attention was a ruffianly looking fellow coming to- 
 wards me holding in his hand some small pieces of glass, which 
 were gilded, telling me, through an interpreter, that they were 
 some pieces of the church. I put them in my pocket as curi- 
 osities. We then entered and to my astonishment the church 
 was in reality covered with this kind of work, called mosaic 
 work. The pictures of all the saints, and Noah and his fam- 
 ily, were composed of small bits of glass of various colors, and 
 in such forms and set so nicely that they present the most 
 splendid picture imaginable. There were devices carved of 
 wood of every description that the mind could conceive. The 
 altar was of silver, but for fear of intruders it was §o cov- 
 ered that but a small part of it could be seen. However, our 
 guide uncovered enough to convince us that it was really silver. 
 
 It is six hundred and seventy years since it was finished, but 
 the number of years that it was building we could not as- 
 certain. It strongly reminds me of the description that the Bi- 
 ble gives of the temple, and I presume that many things were 
 made in imitation of it. The brazen candlesticks six feet 
 high, the marble bowl for the holy water, the image of the 
 Savior upon the cross, and of Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob, 
 the curtains of fine linen of red and of blue, the marble steps 
 which led to the altar, all filled my mind with Scripture images. 
 And yet Catholics worship there, and still keep their devotees 
 in the darkness which Christianity will never break until the 
 Archangel sounds his trumpet. We walked through the aisles 
 and before the altar, examining everything that we saw, and 
 the ruffian that gave me the pieces of glass at our entrance, 
 followed us wherever we went. B noticed this and gave him 
 
191 
 
 some money, but this did' not satisfy him, and he continued to 
 beg as long as we were in the church. 
 
 When we left it I thought we were clear of him, but instead 
 of this a dozen more joined him and insisted that we should 
 give them money. Among them was a little girl, perhaps four- 
 teen years old, with an infant in her arm, sick with the small- 
 pox. She came and brought the child close to me, pushing 
 herself almost upon me saying "Give me money," so to get rid 
 of the crowd we went to the coach and got in, but this only 
 the more enraged them. They came around the carriage on 
 all sides with their hands open held to us, and among the rest 
 was the said ruffian, importuning with more vehemence than 
 ever, with the money that B gave him in his hand; almost 
 compelling us to give him more. B brushed that out of his 
 hand into the coach and told the coachman to drive on, but the 
 horses being quite tired could not be urged along at first very 
 fast, so the beggars followed us as long as they could keep up 
 w4th the horses. But soon the driver waked up his horses with 
 his whip and we left the wretched beings to our great rejoicing. 
 After we were some distance from them our guide informed us 
 that this same fellow, a short time since, put a knife to his 
 heart and told him to give up his money, but he happened to 
 have pistols in his pocket, which he showed, and put the rascal 
 to flight. 
 
 Palermo is in a horrible situation. They have driven the 
 King from them, and now they have no law nor any one to gov- 
 ern them. Not many nights since a murder was perpetrated 
 near where we lay, and it is no uncommon thing to find dead 
 bodies in the streets in the morning. No one cares enough 
 about it 'to inquire into the affair or punish the transgressor. 
 During the revolution the citizens killed in the most horrible 
 manner the policemen of the city, skinning them alive, cutting 
 out their tongues, taking out their hearts, and eating them 
 even while they were quivering with life, and torturing them in 
 every possile manner. The offenders go unpunished. Such 
 is monarchial government when the monarch is dethroned. 
 
 Friday, the 8th. This morning according to previous com- 
 mands, four donkeys were on the quay, upon which Captain 
 Hutchinson, B, myself and Vincenzo, a guid'e, seated ourselves 
 and proceeded up the mountain called Pelligrino, and in two 
 hours we found ourselves upon the top. Here is a cave with 
 which the following legend is connected. 
 
 One of the former kings of the place had a very beau- 
 tiful daughter who left her father's house and could never 
 
192 
 
 be found. Some supposed that she had drowned herself 
 for her lover, others that she was devoured by wild beasts; 
 but after some years had elapsed, some bones were found in this 
 cave which were supposed to be hers. 
 
 Accordingly they informed her father that her bones were 
 in this cave. He did not believe it, until a priest dreamed that 
 these were her bones, which was sufficient proof to his super- 
 stitious mind. Sometime after this, Palermo was visited by a 
 plague, and these bones were brought from the mountain and 
 carried through the streets and the plague ceased. This con- 
 vinced the people that she was holy, and /since that time she 
 has been the patron saint of this island. 
 
 After this the people built a road ^t enormous expense, 
 four miles in length, up the side of the mountain to the cave, 
 and there have built a church, the front of which extends from 
 the cave a number of feet. In this church is an image of St. 
 Eosalie, as they call her, under the altar covered with gold, 
 around which candles are burning day and night, and many 
 persons while sick have prayed to this saint, promising, that if 
 she would restore them to health, they would perform a journey 
 up to the cave on their knees. Others have vowed that if their 
 lives were preserved they would cut off their hair and give it to 
 her, and in a small apartment I saw long braids of hair hang- 
 ing together. We examined all that we wished to see, then 
 seated ourselves again upon the donkey's back and took a cir- 
 cuit around the mountain, over innumerable sharp stones ; not 
 even a foot-path was to be seen. But letting the animals pick 
 their own way they safely brought us to another place where 
 there was a marble staJtue of this saint, but the wind had blown it 
 down and the head was sunk some feet in the earth. The three 
 men contrived to turn it over, and succedeed after some time, in 
 breaking off some pieces of the face, which we put in our pockets, 
 But enough of this saint. 
 
 The morning being fine, the air cool and bracing, and our 
 spirits considerably elated, the jaunt was most delightful. 
 
 An occasional slip from the donkey's back afforded much 
 amusement to those who were not the victims. My beast was 
 quite sure footed. If it had not been the case, I would not 
 have run the risk of keeping my seat upon his back while he 
 mounted a flight of steps, ten in number, up which he safely 
 carried me. Never did I think before that I should ride up 
 stairs upon a donkey's back, or through a person's entry, which 
 we did both in going around and coming back. The only incon- 
 
193 
 
 venience in this last was, in passing througli the doors, to keep 
 the head low enough to keep clear. 
 
 But on coming back, the beast would not stir one inch after 
 we came to the steps, until I had dismounted, and glad enough 
 I was, for he nearly fell prostrate in making the attempt. 
 So I think that he showed his wisdom. Our ride down was 
 rather tedious, being so descending, but in two hours we found 
 ourselves at the bottom, and starting our animals into a trot, 
 were soon on board of the bark. 
 
 In the afternooii we took a coach and drove through the pub- 
 lic streets to see a procession, which was a very imposing sight. 
 I saw more people than I ever saw at one time in my life be- 
 fore. It was a military parade. In one coach I saw a prince 
 wrapped in a mantle wrought with gold, looking as lordly as 
 though there were no other beings worth noticing but himself 
 in the place. 
 
 Saturday, the 9th. We are nearly loaded, and expect to 
 complete our cargo this forenoon and as I have a little shop- 
 ping to do, I must go this morning. 
 
 Afternoon. I called with B upon the American consul and 
 saAv liis wife and daughter. The old lady had the appearance 
 of some beauty in her younger days, and even now shows more 
 vanity than her daughter, who is about being married to an 
 officer in the French army. Her mother wished her to show 
 me some of her handkerchiefs, for which she paid ten 'dollars 
 for the embroidering and one dollar for the cloth. They were 
 certainly very beautifully done, but this did not raise her in 
 my estimation. To think that so much money was foolishly 
 wasted ! My stop was not very lengthy, as B was somewhat in 
 a hurry, s'o we bade them good-by, and proceeded to a silk store 
 and purchased what articles I wished for, then drove back and 
 came on board. 
 
 I have been stowing my things away for a voyage across the 
 Atlantic. When we came on board we found everything all in 
 readiness to haul out, which was done as soon as we dined, and 
 at six o'clock in the evening all sail was set, and a light land 
 breeze favored us, so we slowly moved out of the harbor. As 
 we had 'discharged the second mate, B stood the first watch, 
 and as the evening was fine I walked deck with him until ten 
 o'clock, then retired. 
 
 Sunday. During the night the wind died away into a calm, 
 so that we made but little progress, and this morning we are 
 still quite near the land, so that unless the wind breezes up, we 
 shall not do much this day. 
 
194 
 
 Friday, the 15th. We have been beeahne'd' ever since we came 
 out, and have gained but very little. The Island of Sardinia 
 is now at our right in plain sight, and during the night we have 
 had wind enough to steer the vessel, so that we are encouraged 
 to hope that we shall not always remain in this place. Noth- 
 ing particular has occurred since we left Palermo. 
 
 What does this indicate? 
 
 Sunday, the 17th. Last evening a light breeze sprang up 
 to the westward and all studdingsails were set, and' through 
 the night we went slowly along towards our native land. This 
 morning the wind increased, and now we go five and a half miles 
 an hour, according to the log, which was heajved a short time 
 ago. It is Sunday and everything is very still on board. No 
 one makes the least noise excepting our canaries ; they sing 
 very briskly. The cook has lost one of his; he left the cage 
 open and it tried its little wings, and, poor thing, it soared too 
 high, and as it never came back, I suppose it found a watery 
 grave. 
 
 We have now been out a week and one day, and have made 
 but little progress, but if we can keep this wind we shall see the 
 Rock of Gibraltar before next Saturday night, which will be a 
 very decent passage ; but it is no use to make calculations before- 
 hand to be disappointed, for before one hour has expired, the 
 wind may be ahead. 
 
 Thursday, the 21st. The fair wind lasted but two days, then 
 it hauled to the westward and has been there until noon to- 
 day, when it shifted to the east and now the bark is showing all 
 her canvas, but as the wind is so light we progress but very 
 little. B has been sleeping all the evening upon the sofa, but 
 just now he rose and walked on deck and took a survey of 
 things, then came back and undressed and retired for the night. 
 
 Monday, the 25th. A head wind, and not near the straits 
 yet, it is really discouraging; we have been sixteen days out, 
 and still a head wind. 
 
 I should like to take a peep at the people at home this even- 
 ing, and see if they are all well and spending* their Christmas 
 Eve in a pleasant manner. Oh, the presents that St. Nicholas 
 sent to the little folks if they were thoughtful enough to hang 
 up their stockings for him, — no doubt that Charles, George and 
 William shared his favors largely, as he was their particular 
 friend last year. 
 
 Oh, what nonsense I have written, and all for the want of 
 something of importance, to pass away the evening. It is 
 merely for pastime that I am now writing, as I am sleepy and 
 
195 
 
 do not intend to retire until the bell strikes the hour of nine. 
 There ! It peals out upon the dark night, and the response is 
 heard from the other one that is forward. This is to keep the 
 sailors awake. 
 
 Wednesday, the 27th. Last evening the sun went down 
 gloriously, the whole western horizon was illuminated with 
 every shade of color. It was a rare sight, and one that almost 
 enchanted me as I stood gazing at it for half an hour after it 
 had sunk in its watery bed. A sunset at sea is more beautiful 
 thaji on the land, but not so with a sunrise, for then there are 
 many surrounding objects w^hich lend a charm to the scene. 
 
 We are now surrounded with a thick fog, and scarcely a breath 
 of wind to help us along. We have been in sight of the land 
 four days, and becalmed for the most of the time. This is 
 very trying to B's patience, as he wishes to get to Xew York 
 in less than sixty days, which is the time set by the charterers. 
 He says that he wishes that he had been drunk before he took 
 this freight. 
 
 Friday, the 29th. The fog has left us and in its stead' we 
 have a fine breeze from the eastward, which, if it continues two 
 
 Saturday, the 30th. This morning the Rock of Gibraltar 
 days, we shall be through the straits. 
 
 was in sight, but the wind died away ayl we have had scarcely 
 a breath of air to-day, and thus are but very little nearer the 
 straits than we were this morning. Such is the uncertainty 
 of everything. If we could manage the wind ourselves, it would 
 always be in our favor, I suppose; but this not being the case, 
 we have to submit to a wiser power than our own. 
 
 Sunday, the 31st. At twelve in the night a light breeze 
 sprang up, which started' us slowly. Towards morning it in- 
 creased to an eight knot breeze, which has carried us through the 
 straits at last. 
 
 Wednesday, the 3d. The weather has moderated so that the 
 reefs are shaken out, but we do not go within three points of 
 our course. 
 
 Thursday, the 4th. Still a strong breeze and occasionally a 
 squall strikes us so violently that the topgallant yards have to 
 be lowered to ease the mast. We have now made three degrees 
 southward since we left Gibraltar. For the last two hours we 
 have been in company with a brig under double reefed topsails, 
 on the same course as ourselves, but we are passing her, and 
 hope soon to leave her astern. 
 
 Saturday, the 6th. We are pitching and rolling the worst 
 kind with the wind ahead, and the Canary Islands under our 
 
196 
 
 « 
 
 lee. Disagreeable situation ! Yet no help for the poor, care- 
 worn mariner; bear it he must. 
 
 Sunday, the 7th. Rose at five o'clock this morning, weary 
 enough after a miserable night's rest. I was cradled' upon the 
 tops and in the hollows of the waves all night, and visited with 
 dreams frightful enough to horrify one, but contrived, not- 
 withstanding all this, to wash and comb up so as to look a lit- 
 tle decent, but the bark did not cease to make her obeisance 
 all the time in every possible manner. B did not sleep last 
 night but stood his watch (which, b\. the by, he often does now, 
 as we have no second mate). During the night he has smoked 
 and chewed so much tobacco, that he looks quite pale and ex- 
 hausted this morning; still he thinks that he does not chew at 
 all. Strange delusion ! Care does not sit lightly upon him. 
 It makes sad inroads in one night. Oh, the people on the land 
 know not how hardly earned a sailor's money is. No ! No. 
 Let them be tossed upon the mountain waves as we have been 
 for the last twenty-four hours, let them be obliged to grasp 
 hold of something to keep from falling every time they move, 
 let them stand up and take the squalls of rain as they come in 
 their fury, and let them go aloft upon the yards and reef the 
 sails, when it seems a thing almost impossible for a man to hold 
 on, much more to roll up the sails, let them take their meals 
 and thrust the food down their throats as quick as possible for 
 fear of its rolling out of their mouths before it is swallowed, 
 then let them lie in their berths and be rolled from side to side 
 with a vehemence which it seems impossible to rest under, — 
 there let them lie, and think you that they will say that their 
 recompense is too much. 
 
 Monday, the 8th. Yesterday the wind came out from th* 
 northeast, and as it has lasted until to-day, we are encouraged 
 to think that it is the trade winds. Have seen three vessels 
 steering southwest to-day, one of which showed her banner 
 with St. George's cross on it. Our stars and stripes were 
 quickly and proudly run up, then down went his flag and on he 
 passed. Our latitude shows us to be in 30.21 to-day, and going 
 six knots. 
 
 Thursday evening, the 11th, half past eight o'clock. The 
 wind has proved itself to be what we wished, namely trade 
 winds, but has been very light until this evening, the log being 
 thrown shows us to be going seven and one half miles per 
 hour.. Everything goes on pleasantly this passage. The men 
 are a very peaceable set and willing to do their duty. One man 
 ^ has been laid up with the rheumatism for some days ; we have 
 
197 
 
 given him such remedies as we could, but nothing seems to re- 
 lieve hjm. I suppose that he will have to bear it until it 
 leaves of its own accord. 
 
 Ezra has learned very fast since we left Palermo. Ben- 
 jamin thinks he will make a sailor. He is quite active, and 
 as willing as a boy need be, and seems very anxious to learn 
 seamanship. And as for myself, am about retiring for the 
 night, hoping that we shall have a nine knot breeze in the 
 morning. 
 
 Saturday, the 13th. Evening, half past seven o'clock. The 
 week has passed away and we are some fifteen degrees nearer 
 New York than we were last Saturday. The wind is quite light, 
 but as we have fine summer weather, we ought not to com- 
 plain. Every day we have a rainbow and little showers, which 
 are not unpleasant in the least. We are now one-third of our 
 distance to New York, and three weeks more will carry us 
 there, if it only blows the right way strong enough. 
 
 B has curled himself up on the sofa to take a short nap, and 
 I am all alone with nothing to amuse me, and obliged to hear 
 our mizzenniast screech out a most diabolical groan, reminding 
 one of "the — I won't say what." I wish the man that finished 
 it was obliged to sit under it and have that noise in his ear for 
 a few hours and see how he likes it. 
 
 The bell has sounded out the hour of eight, at which signal 
 the watch has been called. Ezra called the mate the second 
 time and has succeeded in awaking him, and then partaking 
 of a large draught of water and complaining of a headache, 
 has "^turned in" as the sailors say. B has taken a look at things 
 on deck ^nd retired for the night, also, so must I. 
 
 Sunday, the 1th. According to observation, we have gone 
 since last Sunday morning, one thousand and ten miles, which 
 is an average of six miles per hour, which is the best week's 
 work that this vessel has ever done. This is a very quiet day, no 
 work on.. The cook has paraded his clothes, which consist of a 
 mattress, bed' clothes, jackets, pants, shirts and a hat, out to take 
 an airing. In the said hat were several tracts, one upon tem- 
 perance, which B has taken and is now reading aloud. 
 
 Monday, the 15th. Since yesterday noon we have gone one 
 hundred and eighty miles, which brings us some nearer our 
 journey's end. The wind is quite fresh and this is what we 
 want. Oh, good wind ! do stay by us until we arrive in New 
 York. 
 
 Tuesday, the 16th. A fine wind, just as much as we wish 
 since yesterday. The sea has considerably increased, which 
 
 -I'll. 
 
198 
 
 makes it rather uncomfortable for me, as I am, obliged to keep 
 so still, however, this is nothing so long as the wind is fair. 
 
 Wednesday, the 17th. As B has retired I. will write a few 
 lines to keep me awake, as it is too early to go to sleep yet, for 
 it is not eight o'clock. 
 
 It has been very smooth during the day, so that I have fried 
 doughnuts, which, by the by, I often do when I want some of 
 my own cooking. However, our old darkey is as good a cook 
 as we often get. Good night ! 
 
 Friday, the 19th. Moderate, indeed, some of the time 
 scarcely wind enough to steer the vessel, at other times going 
 three miles an hour. At this rate we shall be Liany more days 
 before we get to New York. 
 
 Saturday, the 20th. Last evening the wind revived a little 
 so that we went slowly along through the night, but this morn- 
 ing I ascertained that we were going nine and a half miles per 
 hour, and have continued to do so through the day, so that the 
 prospect brightens again. This forenoon passed a bark under 
 reefed topsails and topgallantsails furled, while we had never 
 thought of taking in the topmast studdingsail until the tack 
 parted and reminded B that it had better lie on deck for the 
 present. We are now making northings, having been as 
 far south as 27, and doubtless we shall experience some change 
 of weather before long. 
 
 Monday, the 22d. The wind has changed and fears are en- 
 tertained that 'we are getting out of the trades, which will be 
 bad business for us. 
 
 Monday, the 29th. One week has passed away since I last 
 wrote during which time we have had hea'd' winds and calms, 
 but notwithstanding this, we are now as far north as Bermuda, 
 and within six hundred miles of New York, and are now mov- 
 ing slowly along with square yards, about four miles per hour. 
 One vessel in sight. The weather is fine as we could wish, 
 so warm that the men are bare-footed and in their shirt sleeves, 
 about their work. Such is our winter so far. 
 
 Wednesday, the 31st. The last day of the month. The 
 wind' is now ahead and no prospect of a change. 
 
 February 2d. No observation for three days, being dark 
 and rainy. Sounded this afternoon but did not get bottom. 
 The wind northwest, the bark under double reefs, it is cold 
 and uncomfortable ; we have a fire in the cabin for the first time 
 since we left the straits. B is asleep on the floor ten minutes of 
 eight o'clock. The log has just been thrown, going four and 
 one half miles per hour, hea'ding north by east, which is not very 
 
199 
 
 j^leasing to us, who want to be in New York to-morrow, no, no 
 indeed ! 
 
 Saturday, the 3d. A cold day; ice has made in the shade 
 during the day. A small sail is visible; B takes his spyglass 
 and looks ; it is a pilot boat, she is bearing down for us ; in a 
 half hour she is within speaking distance. "Do you want a 
 pilot?" "Yes.'' "Back the main yard." 'Tis done. They 
 put out a boat and in a few moments the pilot jumps on board. 
 He proved to be the same man who t(Ook us in when we were 
 from Hamburg. We shall not reach N^ew York this night. 
 
 Sunday, the 4th. The wind died away during the night, 
 and the anchor was dropped and at six this morning got un- 
 der way again and are now heading for Staten Island, with a 
 little breeze and are in hopes to be in Xew York before night. 
 
 At two o'clock we arrived safe in Xew York. 
 
 Wednesday, the 7th. Last evening went to the museum and 
 saw a' man that wa^ over seven feet high; a noble looking 
 fellow with a mild blue eye and a smiling countenance. He 
 paraded around with a lady who was nearly his height, and 
 a nice looking couple they were. 
 
 Voyage to Havana. 
 
 March 3d'. Left ^ew York this morning with a fair wind; 
 discharged the pilot at three o'clock, and proceeded to sea. 
 
 Sunday, the 4th. This day the new president- takes his seat 
 and may his reign upon the presidential chair be as successful 
 as his siege of Monterey. The wind continues fair, and the 
 weather has moderated some. 
 
 Sunday, 11th. Our cook has proved to be one of the dirtiest 
 fellows in existence ; we could eat nothing with any relish that 
 he cooked. Yesterday B sent him forward and took one of 
 the men in his place. So now Mr. Cook can be seen with the 
 sailors instead of in his galley. 
 
 Monday, the 12th. Becalmed. Nothing of importance, ex- 
 cepting the dog, Zip, appears to be sick. 
 
 Friday, the 16th. Arrived this morning and were obliged 
 to anchor outside of the guard boat on account of the winds be- 
 ing light. B soon dressed himself, and went ashore to seek for 
 business. 
 
 Sunday, April 8, 1849. The holidaj^s commenced Thurs- 
 day, the 12th. We went ashore and saw the procession, which 
 consisted of priests with their heads shaven on the top and 
 
200 ■ 
 
 dressed in black and white robes, preceded by a band' of music, 
 and followed by the ca-r which carried the ima,ge of Christ to 
 be buried. 
 
 April 20th. Yesterday completed our cargo, and shall be 
 ready for sea to-morrow morning. 
 
 April 23d. Left Havana early in the morning with a light 
 breeze, which increased as w^e proceeded to sea. 
 
 April 27th, To-morrow morning will complete one week of 
 our voyage to Cowes. It is Sunday. Through the night there 
 have been showers of rain, so that the walls and the floor, the 
 bottom of my dress, the chairs, the table, my shawl and the 
 bed clothes and crockery are covered with a damp, disagree- 
 able, humid salt water moisture. The sky is overcast. The 
 pigs, who quarreled all night, are let loose about the deck, 
 looking lank and cross enough. The pigeons are lifted out of 
 their house and have hopped into the cabin, and, having their 
 several portions allotted them, have left their own heap of seed, 
 and quarreled with each other to ascertain which shall eat 
 the whole. The dog being called, drops his ears and trots for- 
 ward as fast as his legs will carry him, and as for myself, I 
 am tired' of the sea, tired of the motion and tired of seeing the 
 ropes, the sails, the spars, the everlasting waters which are bear- 
 ing us on, on. In short, I am tired of myself and will quit. 
 Good night. 
 
 Monday morning. May 7th. For two days we have had head 
 winds, but this morning it is on our beam, and with it an ex- 
 ceedingly bad sea, which heaves the vessel in every possible di- 
 rection, so that it is utterly impossible to know what is to be 
 our next position. The barometer is falling. We have just 
 dined on boiled beef and potatoes, the dessert being pumpkin 
 pie, which Zip, the dog, is very fond of, and as I am seasick, 
 I do not feel much like eating, nor anything else. 
 
 Tuesday, the 8th. A bad sea this day, but a fair wind, and 
 through the night we w^nt nine knots per log, which is very 
 good for a deep loaded vessel. I do not feel much like writing, 
 for my ideas are blunted' by seasickness, so that I am capable of 
 producing nothing of importance. 
 
 The wind astern. This day completes the sixteenth day since 
 we left Havana, and we are now in the longitude of the western 
 edge of the Newfoundland Bank. I hope that we shall be in the 
 English channel in sixteen more days. B is busy reading novels 
 for some days past^ Dombey and Son, etc. It is quite warm for 
 this time of the year, and as we are in latitude 39.30 do not ex- 
 pect to see any ice, at all events hope not. 
 
201 
 
 Thursday, the 10th. This morning arose unrefreshed after 
 a night's rocking in Neptune's cradle, and ascertained that we 
 were under double reefs, while the wind was uttering piercing 
 screams through every rope on board, and the sea coming over 
 us filling the waist full, and wetting the men at a shocking rate, 
 and the bark pitching and rolling through the ocean at the rate 
 of nine miles per hour. We are now all clear of the banks, 
 and no appearance of ice. 
 
 Saturday, the 12th. A fine wind, yards square, all studding- 
 sails set that will draw, and for the most of the time since ves- 
 terday the decks have been clear of water. 
 
 Ship Pumgustuck, New Orleans, March 24, 1851. 
 
 We are now lying between two ships, which is more agreeable 
 than being alone, as they in a measure protect us from the mo- 
 tion to which we should otherwise be subjected, occasioned 
 by the continual passing and re-passing of the steamboats. 
 
 Commenced loading to-day with cotton for St. Petersburg, 
 which will be a long voyage. Nothing in particular worth 
 writing down has occurred since wq arrived here. We have a 
 Qplored cook named Phyllis ; she talks a great deal, but answers 
 our purpose very well. Frances and myself had some ^very 
 pretty bouquets of flowers sent us to-day ; hers was from a mar- 
 ried, and mine from an unmarried man. What does this sig- 
 nify? Simply that the mate of the ship alongside wishes to 
 get acquainted with Frances. 
 
 April 27th. We have been out almost three weeks and have 
 been favored with fair winds and quite pleasant weather the 
 most of the time, and have progressed equal to our anticipaltions, 
 are within one day's sail of the Newfoundland Banks Few 
 things have transpired since we left worthy of much notice. 
 Mr. Chandler is first mate and a Dutchman second mate, an In- 
 dian cook and a Hottentot stewaTd, all of whom give satisfac- 
 tion at times. 
 
 It is Sunday, and almost calm, and the usual scene which 
 occurs at sea at such times is now at hand. The sails are flap- 
 ping lazily against the masts and rigging; the ship is on her 
 bottom (which, by the by, is not often the case) and appears to be 
 resting herself; the mate has cleaned himself up for the oc- 
 casion; the captain is arranging something about the wheel. 
 The second mate is not well, and it is his forenoon watteh. 
 George is playing with his dog, and happy as usual ; Frances is 
 reading ; I am writing. 
 
202 
 
 Monday, the 28th. A strong easterly wind, the ship is 
 reefed down. At seven in the evening all sails were furled, 
 except the spencer, and so we lay to the wind until morning, 
 when it had so much subsided that at six o'clock commenced 
 putting on sail again. 
 
 But the barometer has fallen so much during the night, that 
 B thinks that we shall soon have more wind, and we all desire 
 that it may come from a different quairter. It is quitei calm, 
 and George is trying his abiliiJies to make a stir about catch- 
 ing fish. The steward has found some hooks and for the want 
 of a line, operations are suspended for a while. 
 
 Wednesday, the 29th. This morning the wind changed to 
 the eastward after being to the west for the last eighteen hours, 
 and now things look quite dubious, for the fog and clouds are 
 flying about in all directions. 
 
 Thursday, May 1st. The wind is still ahead, and the last 
 night we rode out under a reefed maintopsail, the wind being 
 so strong that the ship was completely on her side, which makes 
 it very unpleasant for us who are obliged to sit all day long, and 
 likewise for those who use their feet, on account! of their mak- 
 ing so much lee way. The cabin occupants are busy as usual. 
 B is reading ; Frances is embroidering a cap ; George is making 
 his first attempt at sail making : his father has put his ingenuity 
 tio a lest in making a palm for his little hand ; the dog is trying 
 to make George play with him ; the fire burns in the stove ; 
 the wind howls outside; the ship careens, then rights herself 
 again, and, what now? The cook is splittiing wood'. 
 
 Friday, May 2d. The wind still ahead and no prospect of a 
 change, excepting that it is quite light, which makes us hope 
 that it may die away and come from another quarter. This 
 week's work is small, and is lengthening out the passage. 
 
 Dined on baked beans and rhubarb pie. 
 
 Sunday, May 4th. Easterly wind still keeps us in its power, 
 and hearts on board of the ship Pumgustuck are beating high 
 in anticipation of a change, but the change comes not. Will 
 this wind hold us in its chains another six days like the last? 
 Or will some kind, sweet westerly wind blow from where the 
 Indian believes the Good Spirit dwells? vSunday comes often 
 to us on the ocean, yet we cannot feel the same that we do when 
 we can go to the house of God, for necessity compels many 
 on board of the ship to go through their usual routine of work, 
 and such as are not obliged to work, do it from choice. Such is 
 Sunday at sea. 
 
 Mondav, the 5th." Calm; not wind enough to steer the ship. 
 
203 
 
 Every moment is now spent in the best manner putting the 
 rigging in order, nothing having been 'done as yet since we 
 came out. 
 
 Tuesday, the 6th. A light southerly breeze and now we move 
 slowly along, which is better than drifting back, as we did 
 yesterday. 
 
 Wednesday, the 7th. Light wind westerly. This morning 
 quite an incident occurred. The mate saw something to the 
 windward and informed B of it. He took his glass and looked, 
 and said that it looked like a raft, which he thought might 
 have been made by some poor beings to live upon. The boat 
 was lowered and two men with the mate and George started in 
 pursuit of the object. It being but a short distance off, they 
 soon gained it and made fast and towed it alongside. It 
 proved to be a part of a wreck, which must have been in the 
 water a long time by its being covered with innumerable bar- 
 nacles, which were of enormous size and length. There was a 
 school of fish under it so they followed it, and the mate caught 
 a meas which we had fried for dinner. They then hoisted it 
 on board so that the fish were obliged to leave it, but are now 
 following us at the stern. The wood is of some value to burn. 
 
 Thursday, the 8th. The wind has hauled to its old place 
 to the east, and there is scarcely enough to steer the ship. 
 This a hard case and truly discouraging, now that we are on 
 a long voyage and what is to be done? We cannot tell, as we 
 have had head winds and calms all of the time since we left 
 ]*\'ew Orleans, with the exception of one week. 
 
 Friday, the 9th. Calm and exceedingly pleasant. The 
 ocean is at rest, with the exception of a gentle swell which rises 
 occasionally and buoys us on its top, then gently glides away and 
 mingles with its fellow waves. Calm and glassy as a mirror is old 
 Ocean. The fish still are at the stern. Frances, the mate and 
 George seem determined to catch some of the little craft. 
 
 Saturday, the 10th. To-day, the wind to our great joy, came 
 gently but surely from the west, and now we go slowly toward 
 our desired haven. 
 
 Sunday, the 11th. Now the good ship goes briskly over the 
 briny deep. There is some appearance of rain. Now it comes; 
 perhaps we may catch water enough to wash on Monday. 
 
 Monday, the 12th. Strong west winds; we are going at the 
 rate of nine knots per hour. 
 
 Tuesday, the 13th. During the night the mate says that for 
 two hours and a half we went ten knots, but this morning it 
 is almost calm, and we fear that a change will come. 
 
204 
 
 Wednesday, the 14th. Surely a head wind and such is our 
 lot in a world of disappointment. 
 
 Thursday, the 15th. Last night the wind favored us, and 
 the foretopmast studdingsail was set, and we went finely 
 through the night and to-day, going off nine knots. It 
 has rained the most of the time since Sunday. All of our 
 water casks are filled. 
 
 We have one man sick now in the forecastle, and so it has 
 been for the most of the time since we came out, but as it has 
 happened there has been but one at a time, so that it has caused 
 but little inconvenience in working the ship. 
 
 Friday, the 16th. We are now counting off the days that will 
 expire before we gain the entrance of the English channel. I 
 calculate that four more days like the last four will carry us 
 there, but how many things may transpire to prevent before 
 that time expires. This morning we had more wind than we 
 wanted ; this afternoon it died away to a moderate breeze. 
 
 Saturday, the 17th. Things are going on very favorably, 
 and we are all hoping that we shall have a pleasant passage 
 through the English channel. 
 
 Sunday, the 18th. We go off finely and if this breeze con- 
 tinues we shall make the land to-morrow. 
 
 Monday, the 19th. Arose this morning after a night of pro- 
 found sleeping, and went on deck a.nd saw a pilot boat ahead. 
 Soon she came alongside as near as it was possible for her to 
 get on account of the wind and waves. B inquired how Scilly 
 bore and received this answer, "Back your main yard." But 
 B did not want a pilot, so on we went and soon the little boat 
 was out of sight astern. 
 
 Tuesday, the 20tih. This morning we were up to Start light. 
 The wind is very light, but it being right after us and the at- 
 mosphere free from fog, B feels very well satisfied. Pilot boats 
 are plenty. One came alogside in his boat and hailed to know 
 where we were bound, and being informed then wanted to know 
 if we wanted company. B said "Xo !" Whereupon he went off, 
 saying that he hoped that the next time we came we should be 
 glad of company at any rate. 
 
 Wednesday, 21. Light wind Uirough the night and this morn- 
 ing finds us at Beechy Head. Dull and rainy, so that B feels 
 exceedingly anxious, as we are now approaching the Straits 
 of Dover, which is considered dangerous in thick weather. 
 Yesterday washed and ironed. To-day shall dine on goose- 
 berry pie and cold tongue. 
 
205 
 
 Thursday, the 22d. Yesterday passed Dover and now are 
 passing tihrough the straits, so that B finds no rest for himself, 
 day or night. 
 
 Friday. We are now in the North Sea with very little wind. 
 Fishing boats are plenty; one came alongside and we traded 
 with them for some skates and flounders, the former they 
 praised much. I tasted one morsel of the fried, skate, which 
 was enough. 
 
 Saturday, the 24th. Head winds all last night, but this af- 
 ternoon it is more favorable, so that the foretopmast studding- 
 sail boom is being shoved out. It is almost entirely still; no 
 noise, either with the vessel nor water. The little tap, tap of 
 the men with their marlin spike is all the noise that is now 
 heard. What a contrast with the roaring ocean ! 
 
 Sunday, the 25th. Quite a strong breeze, and we are now on 
 Dogger Bank. Nothing of any importance has occurred 
 this day, saving a long nap accompanied with a dream about 
 ^^Home," which was a spirit visitation, no doubt, from the 
 land of my birth. 
 
 George is having a frolic with the dog, notwithstanding it is 
 Sunday. 
 
 The sun now sets at half past eight o'clock. The steward has 
 made a roaring fire, w^hich is not uncomfortable to sit by iij 
 these northern latitudes. 
 
 Monday, the 26th. How easy it is for us poor mortals to be 
 disappointed. This morning promised a fine day's work, as we 
 were going eight and a half knots at breakfast time, but be- 
 fore dinner it was almost calm, and this afternoon we have ac- 
 complished mere nothing. Such is our lot. We are now near 
 the coast of NorM^ay, and if we can get a breeze we shall be in 
 the Straits of Skager-Rack. 
 
 Tuesday, the 27th. No wind during the night, not enough 
 to steer the ship, but to-day at twelve a light breeze sprang up 
 from the westward, and now at seven we are going eight knots 
 per hour. The Skaw lighthouse is in sight. 
 
 The coast of Jutland has been in sight all of the afternoon. 
 Several churches are to be seen with their high roofs, which 
 show the inhabitants to be church-going people. 
 
 Wednesday, the 28th. So we have passed the Skager-Rack 
 and Cattegat, and now we are at anchor at Elsinore. B has 
 gone ashore to enter and clear, and soon will be back again. 
 
 He soon came accompanied by a pilot, with some fresh beef, 
 (a quarter of an ox), eggs, milk, turnips, carrots, etc. The 
 
206 
 
 order soon rang out "Heave up the anchor/ 'which was accord- 
 ingly done and all sail set, so with a fair wind we started' for 
 Kronstadt. 
 
 Thursday, the 29th. A light breeze during the night and this 
 morning we are in sight of land. 
 
 Friday. Still light wind, and we are expecting to see the 
 island of Gotland. 
 
 Saturday, the 31st. This morning a strong head wind, 
 which is quite discouraging. 
 
 Sunday, June 1st. Wind almost gone, but what little there is, 
 is favorable. 
 
 Tuesday, June 3d. We at last dropped our anchor inside of 
 the guard ship, which is stationed at the place to prevent ves- 
 sels going farther until the ship's papers are sealed up, but as 
 we are late I suppose we shall not have a visit from the gen- 
 tlemen until morning. 
 
 Wednesday, the 4th. This morning before the cloth was re- 
 moved from the breakfast table, the visit boat was alongside, 
 and the Emperor's servant came on board and sealed' all the 
 ship's papers in due form with an enormous seal, then departed. 
 The anchor was immediately heaved up and a few moments 
 found us up to the Mole; then another visit from the guard 
 boat. At the Mole they took possession of the sealed papers 
 and delivered them tio the custom house. 
 
 Thursday. This morning the ship had five feet of water in 
 the hold, and from what cause this leak originated, it is im- 
 possible for any one to tell. Two hands have been employed 
 all day to keep tJie pumps free. 
 
 Friday, the 6th. This is a fine day. The sun rose early, 
 which makes a fine long day. The daylight lasts all night; 
 last night at eleven it was light enough to read without much 
 trouble. B lias gone to St. Petersburg for the first time. 
 
 Saturday, the 9th. The cargo is going out of the ship quite 
 fast, but the water has not stopped running in yet. Two men 
 are employed pumping. 
 
 Afternoon. Went ashore to view the place, which is com- 
 posed of soldiers' barracks and other places for police guards, etc. 
 The place is strongly fortified, probably the most so of any 
 place in this part of the globe. Connon are mounted in every 
 place where resistance could be possible, and it is really a sight 
 to walk along the Mole and see the cannon balls and bombs 
 piled in heaps after heaps for a quarter of a mile in extent, ])ut 
 these are not one half. 
 
207 
 
 There are a few shops, but we experienced much trouble in 
 buying any article as we cannot speak the language. How- 
 ever, we contrived to buy a dozen bowls. 
 
 There are two churches here whose top are overlaid with 
 pure gold, one is a dome, the other a spire; these glitter when 
 the sun shines upon them with a brightness almost dazzling to 
 the eye. The principal religion is Catholic, and the people 
 when passing their churches lift their caps from their heads and 
 cross themselves three times muttering something until they 
 have passed, then replace their caps and walk on with their 
 consciences much relieved, no doubt. 
 
 This is a very cleanly place. The streets are wide, and the 
 inhabitants manifest much taste in beautifying the walks with 
 trees and grass. The soldiers all w^ear a thick outside gar- 
 ment, which, it appears to me, must be very burdensome in 
 the warm weather; but their principle is that what; keeps out 
 the cold will also keep out the heat. 
 
 Sunday, the 8th. Attended church to-day. The services 
 were performed by a roguish-eyed chap, who apparently thought 
 more of looking at the people than of worshiping his Maker, 
 if we could judge by his pulling up his dickey, primping his 
 hair, etc., during prayer. We were heartily glad' when we got 
 out. In the afternoon we rode through the place, then out to 
 Finland, and on our way out we passed through thousands of 
 people. The road was literally crowded with them, and our 
 driver was continually hallooing to them to keep out of his 
 horse's way. 
 
 We stopped at a public house and took some refreshments, 
 then walked out to see the Prince, the grandson of Peter the 
 Great, the Lord' Admiral of the Eussian fleet. He was seated 
 outside of the hotel upon a bench in common citizen's dress, 
 conversing with a man seated beside him, and from his appear- 
 ance he would not have been noticed any more than any 
 other man. But notAvithstanding all this, he is next in au- 
 thority to the Emperor himself. We looked at him and he at 
 us as much as we pleased. 
 
 Monday, the 9th. This morning I heard the gun fired and 
 presently the sun came peeping in at our window, and upon look- 
 ing at the watch found thai it was a quaxter past two o'clock, 
 which is pretty early to rise. 
 
 Thursday, the 12th. This morning came on shore to a Ger- 
 man house to board ; as the ship was turning over quite fast we 
 thought proper to leave her. 
 
208 
 
 Friday. The ship's leak was found and she was righted 
 up again. 
 
 Saturda}^ This morning set off in a John Gilpin style for 
 Petersburg; it was raining as hard as it could pour, and 
 not stopping to swallow a mouthful of breakfast, we jumped 
 into a drosky, which is an open carriage, and off we rode for the 
 steamboat hurrah boys ! ! Such a figure as we cut ! Splash, 
 splash, went the horses ! Bonnets blowing off back, the strings 
 streaming out in the wind; at last we got to the bridge where 
 the carriage was not permitted to pass, and out we got and 
 showed ourselves at the pass house, then started upon the run, 
 for fear we were late, but back we were called, and seeming all 
 right, started once more. But the rain pouring down, and B not 
 keeping up with us we dodged into a little hut that was being 
 built and stopped until he reached us, then all started once 
 more for the boat, and at last arrived there all out of breath, 
 and sat ourselves down in the cabin to wait until she started, 
 which was in a few moments, and two hours having expired, we 
 were in sight of the golden spires of St. Petersburg, so we 
 landed and took a drosky and stopped at another German house. 
 
 Sunday. We went this day to visit the churches whose tops 
 are overlaid with pure gold, some the thickness of a quarter of 
 a dollar. They must have cost an enormous sum of money. 
 We gained access to four whose inside were splendid, — every- 
 where the eye could see gold met the gaze. In one was de- 
 posited in a tomb covered with cloth, woven with threads of 
 gold, the body of Alexander, his father, brother, sister and 
 Peter the Great. I felt that we were in the presence of the 
 mighty dead. 
 
 The services wer0 closed, the most of the congregation had 
 departed; several, however, remained crowding around two 
 prieets with unshaven faces, one of whom was presenting a 
 cross, the other a box with something in it for them to kiss. 
 They kissed and departed with apparent satisfaction. We 
 were then alone with two men, probably sextons, so we went 
 from one picture to another, some of which had lamps suspended 
 from the ceiling before them, and kept constantly burning, 
 before which the 'devout worshipers cross themselves, and often 
 prostrate themselves. I noticed one old beggar woman who 
 was not permitted to enter the inner doors, bow herself and 
 touch her forehead to the floor a dozen times casting her eyes 
 between each time at a picture of the Virgin Mary, which was 
 half way up a dark stair case. In the porch were several 
 pictures of the Infant Jesus,whose feet had been kissed so much 
 
209 
 
 that the canvas was literally worn through to the board. What 
 a sight for enlightened people ! 
 
 The sacristy (I suppose it was), B and George were permitted 
 to enter, but we, on account of being women, were not allowed 
 to go in. But even they could not step upon the carpet where 
 the holy priest performed his services. 1 attempted to go in 
 but was prevented by the man placing his arm before me and 
 saying "No." 
 
 After dinner we went for the fourth time to the governor 
 for a permit to visit the palace, and succeeded in getting some- 
 thing written in the Eussian language, but what it was we knew 
 not; however, the coachman motioned that he must go some- 
 where else to get a signature, so off he carried us several miles 
 in the country, and at last stopped at a place where the man 
 lived who was to sign the document, but he being away from 
 home, off we went a mile further and stopped again. He must 
 have informed the people that there was a cariage load of 
 Americans at the door, for out came three women, several girls 
 and a dozen children to take a good look at us. One of the 
 women asked if we spoke Dutch. "No." "Parlez-vous Fran- 
 cais?" "No, nothing but English." She turned away with a 
 despairing look and went into the house and brought out a girl 
 who could speak English enough to ask B his name, ascertain- 
 ing this the unfortunate paper was at last signed, so back we 
 drove over the stone paved street to the city, to a building which 
 we thought was the palace, a building whose piazza was upheld 
 by ten figures with their arms up and hands clasping the roof 
 of the building; they were probably twelve feet high, made of 
 polisixcd stone as smooth as glass. We got out of the carriage 
 and ascending a flight of steps, were met at the door by a man 
 dressed in liverv, who motioned to a small room where we left 
 our parasols a,nd I was obliged to lay aside my cloak, but 
 Frances was permitted to wear her mantilla, on account of its 
 being shorter than my cloak, which I suppose was according to 
 the laws of etiquette in this country. 
 
 We \\^XQ then shown through rooms whose floors were of 
 mosaic work of different colored wood, the walls of marble of 
 a great variety of colors, 'decorated with pictures with magnifi- 
 cent frames; one large library with the writings of Voltaire; 
 rooms full of statuary, but not understanding the language, and 
 having no interpreter, we could not understand the designs 
 so well. One statue of marble attracted my attention; it was 
 a man and a child encircled by two serpents which were crush- 
 ing them to death. The child was apparently in its last strug- 
 
210 
 
 gle, the father expressed untold agony in the convulsive look 
 about the mouth and forehead. One child was looking on, wit- 
 nessing their agony, with such an expression of pity that it 
 seemed almost impossible for it to be marble. This must have 
 been the work of a skilful artist. 
 
 One Egyptiam god made of stone, several other curiosities 
 which I cannot explain ; so much splendor, so many riches . I 
 never imagined my eyes could behold. I can only say with the 
 Queen of Sheba, "The half was not told me.^' We visited all 
 the rooms, and I donned my cloak and drove home, well satis- 
 fied with what I had seen for one day. 
 
 Monday. This morning rose at nine o'clock ; took our break- 
 fast and sat ourselves down at the window and soon the rain 
 came pattering down, so that we concluded that we should see 
 no more of the city. B went out to get a chaj-ter for his ship 
 and came back, we had dinner, which took an hour, then went 
 out again and chartered for Wiborg; came in and we dressed 
 and took a steamboat for Kronstadt, arriving at eight o'clock; 
 took some tea and soon retired to rest. 
 
 Sunday, the 2 2d'. We are now at Wiborg, which is a small 
 island with a handful of houses on it, and a la|rge quantity of 
 deals piled up on the sandy beach. However, it looks green, 
 and perhaps when the sun shines upon it, it will look quite 
 pleasant. It has rained all day. There are about a dozen ves- 
 sels here, but none of our country people. Day before yester- 
 day Tom came and said that we had another sailor on board 
 who had been stowed away, so the watch was called aft, and the 
 said man came with them. He said that he left the ship 
 which he belonged to on account of ill usage. B took him and 
 locked him up at night, and to-day he has sat in one corner 
 of the caibin all day long, saying not a word unless spoken to. 
 To-morrow B calculates to ascertain what he must do with him. 
 The Russian law is very strict upon all things. 
 
 Sunday, July 6th. We left Frang sound yesterday, and 
 will complete our cargo where we now lie, as there was not a 
 sufficient depth of water at the place where we have been lying. 
 
 We are a few miles from the village in the midst of rocks 
 and small islands, which make the river look almost unnavi- 
 gable. However, the pilot brought us safely here and now 
 the way is all clear when we are loaded and a fair wind favors 
 us. Our next port is Bordeaux. 
 
 We have had several calls from the ladies, who came to see 
 that strange race of beings, the Americans. Yesterday a Fin- 
 nish beggar woman came on board, and after I had given her 
 
211 
 
 some bread, she pronounced her blessing upon us and left. 
 The mate says that he has faith to believe in their power to 
 bring curses or blessings upon people, so he in good faith gave 
 her five copecks, and bought her blessings. Now for a fair wind' 
 and quick passage. 
 
 Saturday, the 12th. This morning the ship was permitted 
 tio start upon our voyage, after waiting several days for a pilot 
 to take us the remaining distance out. We might have gone 
 three days ago if the lazy rascals hajd come near us. But no, 
 they had got their pay in advance, and knew that we could not 
 go without them, so they took their own time for it; but now 
 we are out, and away from the scamps. 
 
 July 27th. We are now off the Gallopyer, with a head wind 
 which, however, did not come until yester'd'ay afternoon. Thus 
 far we have had a fine run since we left. Last Sunday night 
 we lay at anchor at Elsinore, and since we have had a fair wind 
 every day until yesterday at four o'clock. 
 
 It is Sunday and cool enough to sit by a fire which however we 
 'd'o without by substituting a shawl over our shoulders in the 
 room thereof. I feel an inclination to laziness, so accordingly 
 leave off. 
 
 August 8th. Arrived at Pauillac yesterday, which is thirty 
 miles from Bordeaiux, after a passage of eighteen days from 
 Elsinore. This looks to be a fine country, everything is as 
 green as a sunny clime can make it. And surely this is France, 
 the land of Lafayette's birth. Yesterday took a walk ashore, 
 and found blackberries in abundance growing at every side of 
 the street for hedges. They were full of unripe berries. 
 
 We came off with a basket of plums, peaches, pears and ap- 
 ples, which tasted nice indeed after a voyage of eighteen days. 
 
 September 8th. We are now loading for New Orleans and 
 shall remain here some weeks. The country looks fine, and 
 grapes are cultivated in every direction. We went several miles 
 into the country in company with quite a number of American 
 and French people; dined and walked over the plantation, and 
 spent the most of the day. Blackberries grow here in abun- 
 dance, but the people do not think them worth gathering. 
 
 Bordeaux is a nice place to live on board ship, as we lie so 
 near the shore that we can hear the fruit venders crying their 
 fruit, and the noise of the carriages rolling over the pavement 
 comes so plainly to us, that, we almost think them at our door. 
 To-day is Sunday, but we have not been to church in this place, 
 although this is the third Sunday thaft we have been in this 
 place. 
 
212 
 
 November. Since I wrote the foregoing we have left Bor- 
 deaux, and are now passing the Berry Islands without much 
 wind. We have forty-three passengers on board, which serves 
 to kill the monotony of a long passage across the Atlantic. 
 It is warm, the thermometer standing at 82 in the shade. Such 
 is my life, now here, now there, sometimes in our beloved coun- 
 try, sometimes in other climes where the sun shines with in- 
 tense heat, sometimes where he is very sparing of his rays, 
 scarcely showing his face through the long winter months. Such 
 as Russia. 
 
 January 8th. We have been to Orleans and loaded and now 
 are on our way to jS'ew York. Passed Orange Keys this morn- 
 ing; light winds and pleasant weather. 
 
 Voyage from Havana to Hamburg. 
 
 Saturday, May 29, 1852. I feel that I must, resume my long 
 neglected writing book and note down, day by day, things that 
 occur. 
 
 We arrived at this city March twelfth, and after waiting 
 sixty-one days chartered the ship to go to Hamburg, and now 
 we are loading and shall probably sail on Tuesday next, so that 
 to-day is a very busy day with all on board. B and George 
 liave gone ashore to pass the afternoon. The cabin boy is pre- 
 paring things under his department, to be in readiness to sail. 
 The last of the cargo is being hoisted in, and all seem in good 
 spirits. So we go from one port to another, and are passing 
 our lives away. 
 
 Sunday, the 30th. It is a w^arm day, everything is still, 
 which makes it appear like the Sabbath. Capt. George Davis is 
 spending the day with us, so that it will not pass so lonesomely 
 as it would otherwise do. 
 
 ]^Ionday, the 31st. Eose early this morning and commenced 
 w^hing, and with the boy's help I finished a large washing by 
 half past nine o'clock. In the afternoon I ironed them so as 
 to be in readiness to sail. 
 
 Tuesday, June 1st. Did not sail this morning as we expected, 
 owdng to B not getting his papers from the consul, he being 
 out to dine and his office closed, so B procured an interpreter 
 and WTnt in search of him, but all in vain, he could not be 
 found, so we were obliged to lie another day. We are now in 
 readiness to depart on the morrow, if nothing unseen occurs but, 
 oh ! the many miles that we must sail, the unpleasant days and 
 tedious headaches, etc., that I must endure before we shall 
 
213 
 
 arrive at our destined haven ; but the dangers are directed by 
 Him who holdeth the sea in the hollow of His hand^ and whose 
 eye never slumbers nor sleeps. Shall we pass through all in 
 safety? Shall we be so happy as to return to our native land 
 once more and see the faces of our beloved friend's ? 
 
 Wednesday, the 2d. We are now outside of the Moro witJi 
 scarcely a breath of wind, but with the kind assistance of many 
 captains we were towed out, and if the wind would but breeze a 
 littie, we might get off from the land. It looks like a sultry 
 day: the clouds look like heaps of snow; the Moro flags hang 
 lazily 'down; the water appears smooth with scarcely a ripple 
 to disturb its glassy surface, which is studded here and there 
 with vessels of various classes, from the ship to the small boat. 
 We all feel glad and even rejoice to leave this place, where we 
 have been eighty-one 'days. Even the sailors say the same. 
 Who would not feel so to leave a place where we have no priv- 
 ileges, not even of attending church, and scarcely any society. 
 Yet such is often the case with seafaring people. 
 
 Thursday, the 3d. Eose this morning at half past five and 
 found it almost suffocatingly warm, the thermometer standing 
 at 87 degrees, and the waters, ^s far as the eye could reach, as 
 smooth and glistening as a polished mirror. Everything seems 
 panting for a breath of air. The pig is grunting and walking 
 deck with his mouth open seeking some cool place where his 
 pigship may lie. We have pigeons, doves, chickens and goats 
 on board, and in the morning I take it upon myself to see that 
 they are cared for. 
 
 Friday, the 4th. There seems to be nothing of importance to 
 write about except calms and very light wind's. I have been 
 employed in making pineapple preserver, which I intend to 
 carry to a home, if I ajn ever so happy as to have one. George 
 is fishing over tJie stern for dolphins 
 
 Saturday, the 5th. Last night the wind breezed up, and has 
 lasted until now but it is ahead, and I hope that it will change for 
 I dread a head wind. Oh, how much ! There are three vessels 
 in sight, but we are outsailing them quite fast. This morn- 
 ing we are three days out, and expect to weather Martinilla 
 Reef by twelve o'clock to-day. 
 
 Sunday, the 6th. Latitude 28.44 Last night we had a tre- 
 mendous head sea, so that we were obliged to take in the top- 
 gallaintsails but, notwithstanding this, the ship pitched and 
 rolled about awfully, making me sick, so that this morning I 
 was minus breakfast with the exception of a bowl of gruel. 
 Now I feel much better as the sea has abated, and I have eaten 
 
214 
 
 some dinner of chicken soup and dessert of muskmelon, which 
 is the last one that we have left, as the goat helped herself too 
 freely to them the first night we came out. She came in the 
 still of the night while we were wrapped in slumber into the 
 cabin and entered the stateroom and' devoured half a dozen. 
 
 Monday, the 7th. Strong breezes; the water constantly com- 
 ing in so as to almost fill the waist full. There seems to be 
 an unpleasant spirit lurking somewhere. The captain and mate 
 had some. hard words last night, for the first time, I believe. 
 
 Tuesday the 8th. The wind still continues strong with 
 a bad sea, so that we are under double reefs, and I am sick in 
 body and mind. 
 
 Wednesday, the 9th. One week this morning since we came 
 out, and we have gone the distance of nine hundred miles, 
 which is a fair week's work. We are now in latitude 34.30, 
 longitude 73 1-2. All sail is set, the wind being aft, and not 
 too much of it, so that we should go smoothly along if it were 
 not for a bad sea. We have had our cabin floor wet for two 
 days, and it has rained almost incessantly, but this morning 
 there is some appearance of clear weather, which will be very 
 agreeable to me after so much wet. 
 
 Thursday, the 10th. This day the wind continues fair with 
 continual showers of rain. Things go the same as they have 
 for the last half dozen years, one day after another passes, and 
 I am continually changing my situation. I do hope that 
 after we close up this voyage, that we shall have a foot of land 
 that we can call our own with a comfortable house. These 
 wishes cannot be called extravagant. 
 
 Friday, the 11th. A head wind, which always brings un- 
 pleasant feelings with it, has this day made its appearance, 
 but I hope that its visitation will be of short duration. George 
 lias got his lessons this forenoon somewhat better than usual, 
 and now he is as busy as a "cat in a gale of wind" with his 
 playthings. He loves excitement and is always in good spirits. 
 
 Half past one o'clock. B is napping on the sofa. 
 
 At sea there is so little worthy of writing down that I am 
 often at a loss what entries to make, but if I should attempt to 
 describe the ocean, I should merely say that it looked like an old 
 ftiend which had a rather rough exterior and not altogether 
 agreeable appearance to me, — but a friend who has borne me 
 safely on its bosom for some number of years, through dangers 
 seen and unseen, and I have been protected, while many valuable 
 lives have found a watery grave. Perhaps my destiny may yet 
 
215 
 
 be to do some good in the world, to help the unfortunate and 
 friendless, — or something else. 
 
 Saturday, the 13th. Wind still ahead; we are under double 
 reefs fore and aft; there is a troublesome sea, which is com- 
 ing in at a great rate. I have been sitting on deck wrapped 
 in my thick shawl, and hardy comfortable at that. B has had 
 his feet wet for an hour, but has now consented to change 
 his stockings. George has stripped his off, and is now patter- 
 ing around barefoot. This is a great change in the climate 
 since we left Havana; there a cold breath was a great luxury, 
 now it would almost freeze one. There the thermometer was 
 'day after day at 90 and d2 in the cabin, now it is 65, which 
 is quite a change. 
 
 Sunday, the 13th. No change in the wind yet. I feel quite 
 sad about it, thinking what a long distance we have yet to go. 
 Sunday is a quiet day on board of the ship when the weather 
 is decently good; no work is going on, every one is at rest, 
 which makes it seem "quite Sabbathlike and solemn.'' Oh, for 
 a calm and holy mind to meet the various ills of life ! 
 
 Afternoon. Have been overhauling old letters, and have 
 derived some pleasure in bringing old scenes to mind again. 
 In these letters absent friends seem almost conversing with us. 
 Frances has been now awav from us three months, which seems 
 a long time. Oh, how I wish I could see her for one hour ! 
 would it not afford us a world of pleasure to see her dear face 
 once more, but ah ! it cannot be. The blue Atlantic is bearing 
 us, day by day, farther and farther away from our beloved 
 friends. 
 
 We {lave all sail set to-day, and not quite so much wind as yes- 
 terday. 
 
 Monday, the 14th. Strong head wind still and no prospect 
 of a change. Shortened sail this morning, and now we are roll- 
 ing and pitching badly. Last night B was rather ill during 
 the night; he was cold and feverish, which alarmed me so that 
 I lay awake several hours, conjuring up a thousand things 
 which are dispelled this morning by his eating a usual allowance 
 for breakfast, and setting himself to work. He says that he 
 feels tolerably well now. I am seasick. 
 
 Afternoon. No change yet, and I am troubled with an insup- 
 portable drowsy feeling, which it is impossible for me to describe. 
 It is really a source of great annoyance to me, for I 
 do not need sleep, and to be in this situation is really vexatious. 
 I think it proceeds from the constant motion of the ship, and a 
 
216 
 
 rush of bloo'd' to the brain. No person can imagine its hostility 
 to all that is agreeable and pleasant, yet I have to bear it. 
 
 Tuesday, June 15th. Wind not changed yet. We proceed 
 very slowly indeed ; bad motion as usual, but the sun shines and 
 the poultry and goats are at liberty so that they can enjoy them- 
 selves better than when shut up. B is very much interested in 
 a book entitled "Modern Accomplishments;" he can scarcely 
 leave it a moment. 
 
 Now, at our beloved native land at this time of the year, 
 everything in the gardens is at its height of beauty; now roses, 
 pinks and all the dear flowers that I used to love with so much 
 childish affection, are now glowing and growing delightfully, 
 and how refreshing would it be to me to have a bouquet of them 
 fresh from father's garden, would it not? 
 
 Wednesday, the 16th. A change! Good news! Fair wind! 
 and with it a change in my feelings. I feel happy, cheerful 
 and contented. I can go about and arrange the misplaced 
 things, and this morning washed for the first time since we 
 came out. We this day commence the third week out, and have 
 gone the distance of seventeen hundred miles, which is not bad 
 for two weeks, but the distance gone over looks small in com- 
 parison to that ahead; I hope that the good Providence which 
 has been with us thus far. will continue with us till our jour- 
 ney is at end, and through our mortal life. 
 
 It is a beautiful day, the sun is shining gloriously on the 
 ocean. The porpoises playing about us on all sides, and every- 
 thing looks pleasant and happy, — so much for a fair wind. 
 
 Thursday l?th. Our fair wind continues, but quite light; 
 however, we cannot complain as we are comfortable. The 
 ship is upright and there is but little motion. There is a vessel 
 in sight for the first time since we left Hatter as. George has 
 been a very bad boy about getting his arithmetic lesson 
 to-day. He was all the forenoon in getting what he could ac- 
 complish in three quarters of an hour. 
 
 Friday, the 18th. A light breeze which is carrying us to 
 Hamburg. We are not far distant from the Newfoundland 
 Bank. There is a hazy, misty atmosphere, which dampens 
 everything, and somehow or other, this is not agreeable to 
 my temper, for I do not enjoy myself so well in a day like this 
 as I do in a clear, dry, sunshiny day. Nothing new to-'d'ay has 
 yet occurred. 
 
 Saturday, the 19th. This makes the fourth day that we have 
 been blessed with a fair wind, and I can truly say that I am 
 very thankful for itw The sooner our passage is made so much 
 
217 
 
 the better it is for us. There are some things which are not so 
 pleasant as one could wish. One thing, B and the mate are 
 scarcely on speaking terms ; they sit down and eat and rise with- 
 out any conversation. The mate is an Englishman, and thiriks 
 himself a little superior to a Yankee, I suppose. This, B can- 
 not bear; and so they pass day after day, and it is not so very 
 agreeable. 
 
 We have advanced as far as the banks, and hope to be past by 
 to-morrow. 
 
 Sunday, the 20th. Are now passing the banks with the wind 
 after us, which makes it look encouraging. Sunday has come 
 again. How quickly the weeks fly away, although the hours 
 drag heavily along. I do not enjoy the sea as well as I for- 
 ,merly did. My head is very troublesome. 
 
 Monday, June 21st. Almost calm; scarcely going three miles 
 an hour, yet what wind we have is favorable. It is washing 
 day; now the cabin is undergoing a scraping and I expect it 
 will look very nice. George thinks that it cannot compare with 
 it when aunt Frank used to scour it ; he says it was brighter then 
 than it is now. B has had a hand in it^ and one might laugh 
 to see the captain of the Ship Pumgustuck down upon his 
 knees, scouring the floor ! 
 
 Tuesday, tJie 2 2d. A nice breeze to-day, going six and one 
 half knots. 
 
 Wednesday, the 23d. The wind has changed to the north- 
 west, but is still fair for us, and we are going seven and one 
 half knots all this afternoon. One week to-day since we have 
 been blessed witJi favorable winds, and have advanced during 
 that time nine hundred miles, by which means we have been 
 nearing our port, and if we are permitted to arrive safely there, 
 it will be a matter of rejoicing to us all. Have now twenty-one 
 hundred miles still to go, and, oh, how great a distance that 
 seems in prospect ! 
 
 Thursday, the 24th. Calm through the most of the night 
 and all the forenoon. We picked up a piece of plank that had 
 been long in the water, perchance a part of some ship. 
 
 Friday, the 25th. A fine breeze as one could desire, not- 
 withstanding yesterday afternoon it was ahead; and so we go 
 along with the wind first on one side and then on the other. 
 I think I hear tJie dishes rattle and, fear that they are sliding 
 off the table, as we are heeled down some as usual. 
 
 26th. Saturday has come again, and with it our good wind, 
 which has been following us for more than a week. My spirits 
 are very good to-day, notwithstanding the motion of the ship, 
 
218 
 
 which is always annoying to me. This is the fifth Saturday 
 since we sailed, and oh, how fast the time is passing. 
 
 Sunday, the 27th. Oh, Time how dost thou show thy foot- 
 steps upon the ocean! Another week is buried with the past. 
 No more will its days rise and set upon us. No more will the 
 same winds and waves waft us o'er the briny deep ! No, gone, 
 gone forever ! 
 
 The wind is fair, but very light ; the atmosphere is damp. 
 
 Monday, the 38th. The wind is very strong; we are going 
 eight and one half knots, which is all that the ship will go, 
 loaded as we now are. I washed to-day as usual this voyage on 
 Mondays. Nothing of importance to write down to-day, ex- 
 cept that we are passing the Western islands. 
 
 Tuesday, the 29th. During the last twenty-four hours we 
 have neared our port of destination two hundred miles, and are 
 now going along eight and one half miles per hour. Last night 
 was one of great discomfort to me, as the ship was rolling from 
 side to side as if in a fit of desperation, so I crowded myself into 
 one of the narrow berths, and there I lay all night tossing from 
 sid'e to side amid all sorts of dreams concerning things and 
 people at home. Something about horses troubled me a good 
 part of the night. It is sailors' superstition to believe in horse 
 dreams as prognosticating good or evil. Wind aft; passed a 
 ship bound to the westward, and our ensign and burgee were 
 run up, so they in exchange did likewise. She was the Cath- 
 arine of New York. 
 
 Wednesday, the 30th. Good wind still, and we are much in 
 hopes to carry it with us to the channel, for we are but three 
 days' sail like the last from Sicily island. 
 
 Thursday, July 1st. Going along finely; three vessels in 
 sight. We hope to be on soundings to-morrow if the wind holds. 
 
 Friday, the 2d. At one o'clock the lead was thrown and got 
 bottom, so that we can say that we are on English ground. 
 It is very thick and dtiU, so that B begins to feel very much 
 anxiety of mind concerning making the land to-morrow. I 
 tell him to hope as I do that we shall have it cleared on the 
 morrow, for it is no use to borrow trouble, for we have it fast 
 enough without. 
 
 Saturday, the 3d. This day have entered the mouth of the 
 channel, but the wind has changed from strong breezes to 
 very light wind and is now ahead, but the weather is clear, and 
 B got good observations to-day. 
 
 This afternoon saw the Lizard' just before sunset ; it is thirty- 
 one days since we left Havana, which is a good passage. 
 
219 
 
 Sunday July 4th. Glorious day of Independence ! 
 
 Calm and clear, we have advanced but little ; the tide is ebbing 
 but will soon turn, so that we shall drift along some for a few 
 hours if it is calm; wind east; six o'clock a change of wind to 
 the westward and thick fog. We have passed the Lizard and 
 are not to the Start yet. 
 
 Monday, July 5th. Calm throughout the night, and during the 
 day the wind has been in every point of the compass, and now at 
 four o'clock it is decidedly ahead. At noon we had a shower of 
 rain accompanied by thunder and lightning, — the first we have 
 had this summer. Oh, when shall we arrive at Hamburg. We 
 passed Start this forenoon. 
 
 Tuesday the 6th. Wind not stationary; we are as far east as 
 Sti Albans Head; progressing slowly. 
 
 Wednesday, the 7th. Wind still ahead and no prospect of a 
 change. It is hard beating to the windward. This morning 
 saw the Isle of Wight, and hope we shall get by it to-day. 
 
 Evening. Passed Wight and saw Beachy Head light. 
 
 Thursday the 8th. N'o change. 
 
 Evening, eight o^ clock. Dunge Ness light in sight; the wind 
 very light; tide down channel ; all against us, — oh, oh ! 
 
 Friday, the 9th. Dover not far a^head. Several boats 
 have been to us to-day from England. One brought bread, po- 
 tatoes, eggs, for which they charged an enormous price; fifty 
 cents for eggs; five dollars a barrel for potatoes. One boat has 
 gone ashore for a pilot for us. B h^s been broken of his rest 
 for several nights, and I think if we can have a pilot, it will re- 
 lieve his mind in a great measure. The coast along here 
 looks very pretty; villages occasionally show themselves as we 
 stand in to the shore. Folkstone is a place of considerable ex- 
 tent. I can see the spires of the churches, and a large iron 
 works. The houses appear large and massive with many win- 
 dows, and on the whole it is quite a relief to the eye, after see- 
 ing nothing but water for so long a time. I wish we were bound 
 there instead of to Hamburg. 
 
 Saturday, the 10th. Succeeded in obtaining a pilot, and 
 came to anchor off Dover this morning. At four o'clock weighed 
 anchor and have got into the North Sea, with a strong head 
 wind, and quite a disagreeable motion. 
 
 Sunday morning, the 11th. Thick fog and a head wind; 
 gained but little since we came out. 
 
 Evening. No change; everything looks dreary; the day 
 passes heavily. Oh, how I long for tihe land where I can en- 
 
220 
 
 joy the fresh fields and flowers, and the sweet perfume of the 
 flowers. 
 
 Monday, the 12th. Sun shines, but wind ahead; advance 
 very slowly. 
 
 Tuesday, the 13th. Wind ahead. Here we are, beating day 
 af tier 'day, and when shall we have a change ? 
 
 Wednesday morning, the 14th. No change. Wind light. 
 We are making a long passage through the North Sea, and 
 if we do not soon arrive, we shall be out of many kinds of things 
 in the provision line, which adds to our discomfort. 
 
 Thursday, the 15th. Still the same wind, and we are almost 
 discouraged with this hard luck. I have a headache, and' feel 
 almost sick. Just spoke a pilot boat belonging to Bremen. 
 
 Friday, the 16th. Awoke this morning and found that we 
 had a light breeze, so that w^e headed our course, a thing that 
 we have not done but once for two weeks. 
 
 Afternoon. Calm and pleasant, a very summer's day. We 
 are tired of this passage. 
 
 Saturday, the 17th. Our good wind is all gone, and in- 
 stead thereof, last night throughout the night, it was calm, 
 and this miorning it breezed up again, — where do you think 
 from? Why from the east of course. So now we are beating 
 as usual since we entered the English channel. 
 
 Sunday, thi 18th This morning awoke, ind to my joy found 
 that the wind was fair, and that we were quite near the mouth 
 of the Elbe, which is certainly more than we expected when 
 we retired last night. So we soon arrived at Cuxhaven, where 
 we exchanged pilots, and are now proceeding up the river,, 
 which is very pleasant. We can see pleasant villages on each 
 side of the river, with their church spires pointing heavenward. 
 This reminds me of the good old Orthodox town where I w^as 
 larought up, and a thousand pleasant thoughts crowd upon my 
 brain. This is a very pleasant country. We have been feast- 
 ing ourselves upon cherries, green peas, beefsteak, milk, etc. 
 
 Monday, the 19th. At anchor this morning at a place called 
 Stadt. We can go no further until we lighten the ship. Cabin 
 boy went ashore with ship's papers and came off with a mes- 
 sage from a gentleman to me, saying that he was well ac- 
 quainted with me, but did not bring his name, so I am in the 
 dark who this gentleman can be. 
 
 Tuesday, the 20th. Commenced this morning discharging 
 cargo; took out four lighter loads, then started and came up 
 the river across the bars safely, but the wind died away, so that 
 we were obliged to anchor again, and there remained all night. 
 
221 
 
 Wednesday, the 21st. This morning heaved up anchor, and 
 xitopped stern foremost until we safely came inside of the booms, 
 and then made fast. Everything about, as far as I can see 
 from the ship, looks green and beautiful. B has gone ashore 
 and I expect to go this afternoon, if nothing prevents. I 
 think that a change of living and scenery will do us all good, 
 for we have now been living on board more than a year. We 
 had letters from our friends, and it is a great comfort to hear 
 from them when so far from them; it is like "Cold water to a 
 thirsty soul." There has been quite a number of people on 
 board. They all seem very friendly and well disposed. 
 
 Thursday, the 22d. Yesterday afternoon came ashore to 
 board at thef British and Union hotel, where we are now and 
 think that we shall be well satisfied. Our expenses will be two 
 dollars per day. George seems much delighted with everything 
 he sees ; even the paper of the room excites much admiration. 
 
 Friday, the 23d. This day we took a ride out to see the ma- 
 nagerie of wild animals ; had a very pleasant time, but the coach- 
 man charged one dollar for two hours, which we shall not pay 
 again. 
 
 Saturday, the 24th. This morning I went out with Mr. Eob- 
 ertson's daughter, Sophia, to see if we could not engage a coach 
 for less money than we paid yesterday. We found one who 
 said that he would drive us at twenty-eight cents per hour with 
 one horse, but if with two, it would be sixteen cents more. So 
 we have engaged him for all the time we are here. 
 
 Sunday, the 25th.. The American consul's lady called this 
 morning for me to go to church with her, so George and myself 
 accompanied her to the Eeformed church of England. The 
 services were much the same as ours at home. The people here 
 ■do not like to attend church; they work hard all the week, and 
 use Sunday as a holiday; attending the theaters and all places 
 of amusements, etc. I do not think the city wears such a pleas- 
 ing aspect as it did when we were here before, but it was two 
 months earlier, and everything was glowing with beauty then. 
 
 We have not seen old Madame Lethany that we boarded with 
 when we were here before. She does not keep boarders now, but 
 has gone outside the gates to live. 
 
 Friday, the 30th. The week so far has been spent in walk- 
 ing, riding and other amusements. Captain Drummond, the 
 only American except ourselves here, has been somewhat smit- 
 ten with a little German girl. She is very pretty and only fifteen 
 years old. 
 
222 
 
 The people here are very fond of amusement, and it seems 
 that every one must have it. They go out every day and visit 
 some garden where they have tea served out of doors. There 
 they sit and enjoy themselves, and nice old ladies take out their 
 knitting work and knit the whole time as busy as bees. I am 
 interrupted by a woman with four children, playing upon a large 
 harp and singing very prettily. She probably gets her living 
 in this manner. 
 
 I have made several acquaintances and some very pleasant 
 ones, too, since I have been here. 
 
 August 8th. We left Hamburg yesterday with a ship load of 
 passengers. This morning at four o'clock left Cuxhaven, and 
 are now out of sight of the land. Many of the people are sick. 
 We have let out the cabin and are now living in the after room. 
 
QSHO 
 
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