Such are the trifles which produce quarrels on shipboard. In fact,
we had been too long from port. We were getting tired of one
another, and were in an irritable state, both forward and aft. Our
fresh provisions were, of course, gone, and the captain had stopped
our rice, so that we had nothing but salt beef and salt pork
throughout the week, with the exception of a very small duff on
Sunday. This added to the discontent; and a thousand little things,
daily and almost hourly occurring, which no one who has not himself
been on a long and tedious voyage can conceive of or properly
appreciate- little wars and rumors of wars,- reports of things said in
the cabin,- misunderstanding of words and looks- apparent abuses,-
brought us into a state in which everything seemed to go wrong. Every
encroachment upon the time allowed for rest, appeared unnecessary.
Every shifting of the studding-sails was only to "haze"* the crew.
*Haze is a word of frequent use on board ship, and never, I believe,
used elsewhere. It is very expressive to a sailor, and means to punish
by hard work. Let an officer once say, "I'll haze you," and your
fate is fixed.
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