Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 73: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

64 THE ARGOSY. “ Well, admitting the truth of what you say, what do you wish me to do in the matter? ” ‘TI jes’ wan’ you to speak you fadder an’ not let de captin discha’ge me. | kin go on anoder ship an’ not be wid Pence.” _ The black had interested me and I made some further inquiries among the crew. I learned that his story was substantially correct. Pence had drunk heavily during the voyage, and his tem- per had become very violent. Pedro Gapo, so I learned, was a Bra- zilian negro, which fact accounted for his Spanish mode of speaking and his peculiar accent. How long he had Leen in the United States I could not learn. Nor from what part of Brazil he originally came. Beyond the fact _that he was a Brazilian, his shipmates knew nothing about him. While I was familiar with the rule of the house, I believed this to be a case calling for interference. “You come with me,’ I said to Pedro. He followed me to the office, and into my father’s presence. We found Pence and Huskway, the first officer of the Wing, there before us. They were rehearsing to my father a full report of their journey and receiv- ing orders for the new one to the Ama- zon. Their eyes opened when they saw me enter with the negro. I plunged at once into the subject and accused Pence of extreme cruelty and drunken- ness. “This negro,” I said, “so far as I can learn, is a simple, but an honest and industrious man. He is a good sailor, but Pence has taken a violent dislike to him on account of his color. He knocked him down and kicked him for no other offense than being ill. Then he locked him up and now has discharged him and put his name on the black list.” Pence grew white with rage. Huis fists clenched and he darted murderous looks toward myself as well as the negro. “Well, Oliver, my boy,” said my father, “ you know the rule of this firm. But as you seem to think this is an ex- traordinary case, I will look into it. Pence, what have you to say?” “That damned black dog is a lying hound!” burst out Pence, bending for- ward and speaking with bitter empha- sis. “ He lies when he says I knocked him down, and he lies when he says he was sick. I did lock him up for incit- ing the men to mutiny in the West In- dies. Black scoundrel! I ought to have shot him.” “ Hush, now, hush!” said my father. “ You are certainly a violent man. We always knew that of you, but never before heard anything like this. You are aware that we want our seamen treated like men.” “I treat them like men. I treat them a hanged sight better than they de- serve.” “Enough! Enough! I will investi- gate before the Wing sails, It may in- terest you to know that my son and a scientific friend will go with you to the Amazon, and my son will have charge ‘of the business.” “Am I to be superseded in com- mand by a landsman? ” “No, I said nothing of any com- mand. I say he will have charge of the business when you reach Santerem. He represents the firm, and will select and purchase the woods desired.” “ Very well,” replied Pence in a surly way. . That day my father did really inves- tigate the case, and sent for Pence and me. “T find,” said he, “that there 1s much truth in the negro’s story. Now, Pence, this must end at once. [I don’t know but what I would dismiss you from the service of the firm, were it not that Mr. Vandergrift is in a hurry for this wood. Weare short of skilful nav- igators, and you will have this chance to redeem yourself. Stop drinking, - ECORRIC OO© eco