I knew,
too, that the two captains had agreed together to get some one, and
that unless I could prevail upon somebody to go voluntarily, there
would be no help for Ben. From this consideration, though I had said
that I would have nothing to do with an exchange, I did my best to get
some one to go voluntarily. I offered to give an order upon the owners
in Boston for six months' wages, and also all the clothes, books,
and other matters, which I should not want upon the voyage home.
When this offer was published in the ship, and the case of poor Ben
was set forth in strong colors, several, who would not have dreamed of
going themselves, were busy in talking it up to others, who, they
thought, might be tempted to accept it; and, at length, one fellow,
a harum-scarum lad, whom we called Harry Bluff, and who did not care
what country or ship he was in, if he had clothes enough and money
enough- partly from pity for Ben, and partly from the thought he
should have "cruising money" for the rest of his stay,- came
forward, and offered to go and "sling his hammock in the bloody
hooker." Lest his purpose should cool, I signed an order for the sum
upon the owners in Boston, gave him all the clothes I could spare, and
sent him aft to the captain, to let him know what had been done.
Pages:
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483