He was not much hurt, but a good deal frightened,
and made up his mind to run away that very night. This was managed
better than anything he ever did in his life, and seemed really to
show some spirit and forethought. He gave his bedding and mattress
to one of the Lagoda's crew, who took it aboard his vessel as
something which he had bought, and promised to keep it for him. He
then unpacked his chest, putting all his valuable clothes into a large
canvas bag, and told one of us, who had the watch, to call him at
midnight. Coming on deck, at midnight, and finding no officer on deck,
and all still aft, he lowered his bag into a boat, got softly down
into it, cast off the painter, and let it drop silently with the
tide until he was out of hearing, when he sculled ashore.
*Soger (soldier) is the worst term of reproach that can be applied
to a sailor. It signifies a skulk, a sherk,- one who is always trying
to get clear of work, and is out of the way, or hanging back, when
duty is to be done. "Marine" is the term applied more particularly to
a man who is ignorant and clumsy about seaman's work- a greenhorn- a
land-lubber.
Pages:
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223