This is sailor's
pleasure.
Nothing worthy of remark happened while we were here, except a
little boxing-match on board our own ship, which gave us something
to talk about. A broad-backed, big-headed Cape Cod boy, about
sixteen years old, had been playing the bully, for the whole voyage,
over a slender, delicate-looking boy, from one of the Boston
schools, and over whom he had much the advantage, in strength, age,
and experience in the ship's duty, for this was the first time the
Boston boy had been on salt water. The latter, however, had "picked up
his crumbs," was learning his duty, and getting strength and
confidence daily; and began to assert his rights against his
oppressor. Still, the other was his master, and, by his superior
strength, always tackled with him and threw him down. One afternoon,
before we were turned-to, these boys got into a violent squabble in
the between-decks, when George (the Boston boy) said he would fight
Nat, if he could have fair play. The chief mate heard the noise,
dove down the hatchway, hauled them both up on deck, and told them
to shake hands and have no more trouble for the voyage, or else they
should fight till one gave in for beaten.
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