Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 11 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

es _— | soon as you tell me. I won't becalled Equality Jack | opinions deserved it, still you have no right to attack | which are to for notbing.”’ future fight the battles of others; you'll find very soon | plain to me why you made use of such languag that you will have enough to do to fight your own.” Whereupon Jack argued the point for half an hour, | nothing to offer in e But Mr, Jolliffe was right. | all at once, the reason assi and then they separated. The New York Lib rary. uwt*e —— de us all.” Jack folded up his articles 'any man’s character without grounds—and as that of war, pee them into his pocket, and went down inic When Jolliffe, who heard of this, met our hero alone, | man is in an office of trust, you were not at all war- he said to him, “*Take my advice, boy, and do notin | ranted in asserting that he was acheat. Will you ex- ee?” Now our hero had no proofs against the man; he had nuation, until he recollected, ed by the captain for the the berth. | Soon after Jack had gone down Jolliffe, who had | heard the whole altercation, followed him: “ My lad * | said Jolliffe, ‘‘I’m sorry for all this; you should havc gone to the mast-head.”’ “IT should like to argue that point a little,”’ repli.1 Jack began to find himself constantly in hot water, and | language used by Mr. Sawbridge. Jack had the wit to Jack. the captain and first lieutenant, although they did not really withdraw their protection, thought it high time that Jack should find out that, on board a man-of-war, everybody and everything must find its level. There was on board of his majesty’s sloop Harpy a man of the name of Easthupp, who did the duty of purser’s steward; this was the second shi he had served in; in the former he had been sent with | perceive that it would hit home, so he replied very quietly and respectfully ee Aa) ag Captain Wilson, that was all zeal.” “Zeal, Mr. ? I think it but a bad excuse. But pray, then, why did you kick the man down the hatch- way’ You must have known that that was contrary to that | the rules of the service.” ‘Yes, sir,’ replied Jack, demurely; “but that was a draft of men from the tender lying off tho Tower. | all zeal, too.” Tiow he had come into the sorvice was not known in the present ship; but the fact was that he had been one of the swell mob, and had been sent on board the tender with a lotter of recommendation from tho mag- istrates ‘to Captain Crouch. He was a cockney b birth, for he had boon left at the workhouse of St. Mary Axe, where he had been taught to read and write, and had afterward made his escape. He joined the juvenile thieves of the metropolis, had been scnt to Bridewell, obtained his liberty, and by degrees had risen from petty thieving of goods exposed outside of the shops and market-stalls, to the higher class of gen- tlemen pickpockets. His appearance was somewhat entecl, with a bullying sort of an impudent air, which is mistaken for fashion by those who know no better. A remarkably neat dresser, for that was part of his profession; a very plausible manner and address; a ‘at fuency of language, although he clipped the ing’s Enelish; and, as he had suffered more than once by the !aw, it is not to be wondered at that he was, as he called himsclf, a hout-and-hout radical. During the latter part of his service in his last ship he had n employed under the purser’s steward, and havin offered himself in this capacity to the purser of H. M. sloop Ilarpy, with one or two forged certificates, he had been accepted. Now, when Mr. Easthupp heard of Jack’s opinion, he wished to evltivate his acquaintance, and with a bow and a flourish introdneed himself before they arrived at Gibraltar; but our hero took an immediate dislike to this fellow from his excessive and impertinent familiarity. Jack knew a gentleman when he met one, and did noi choose to be a companion to a man beneath him in every way, but who, upon the strength of Jack's liberal opinions, presumed to be his equal. Jack’s equalit d not fo so far as that; in theory it was all very well, but in practice it was only when it suited his own urpose. -f But the purser’s steward was not to be checked—a man who has belonged to the swell mob is not easily repulsed; and, although Jack would plainly show him that his company was not agreeable, Easthupp would constantly accost him familiarly on the forecastle and lower deck, with his arms folded, and with an air al- most amounting to familiarity. At last Jack told him to go about his business, and not presume to talk to him; whereupon Easthupp, rejoined, and after an ex- chanro of hard words, it ended by Jack kicking Mr. Easthupy, as he called himself, down the after-lower- deck hatchway. This was but a so specimen of Jack’s cquality—and Mr. Easthupp, who considered that his honor had been compromised, went up to the captain on the quarter-deck and Brite, his complaint —whereupon Captain Wilson de that Mr. Easy might be summoned. As soon as Jack made his appearance Captain Wilson called to Dasthupp. ‘‘ Now, purser’s steward, what is this you have to say?” “7? you please, Captain Vilson, I am wery sorry to be obliged to make hany complaint of hany officer, but this Mir. Deasy thought proper to make use of age quite hunbecoming of a gentleman, and then to kick me as I vent down the ’atchway.” “Vell, Lir. Easy, is this true?” “Yes, sir,’ replied Jack; ‘tI have several times told the fellow not to address himself to me, and he ‘ did tell him he was a radical blackguard, and I did kick him down the hatchway.”’ . “You told him he was a radical blackguard, Mr. g?? _**¥es, sir; he comes bothering me about his repub- lic, and asserting that we have no want of a king and aristocracy.” " os Wilson looked significantly at Mr. Saw- dgc. “Tcertainly did hoffer my political opinions, Captain Vilson; but you must be avare that ve hall ‘ave an eon or in the country—and it’s a Hinglishman’s irthricht,.” “Tm notaware what your stake in the country ma be, Mr. Easthupp,” observed Captain Wilson, “ but think that if you used such expressions Mr. ‘aay was fully warranted in telling you his opinion.” “f ham villing, Captain Vilson, to make hany allow- ance for the ‘eat of political ciscussion—but that is not hall that I’ave to complain hof. Mr. Heasy thought a to say tht I was a swindler and a liar.” thes id you muike use of those expressions, Mr. ?’ Vos, sir, he did,’ continued the steward; “ and, moreover, told menotto cheat the men, and not to cheat my master, the purser, Now, Captain Vilson, is it not true that I< mina wery hostensible sitevation? But I flatter myso\ f that i ‘ave been vell edecated, and vos wonce Moving) 1a wery different. societ, —misfor- tains vill opie to.'s hall, andI feel my character has been severcly injm ‘cd by such impertations;” where- upon Mr, Fasthupp ‘ook out his handkerchief, flourish- and blow hisnos. “TItold Mr. Heasy that I con- tidered myse)* quite, 1s much of a gentleman as him- olf, and at hall hewe nts did not keep compan with a ‘ack feller Clr. Mea sy will understand the insineva- ); vereupon Dir. R easy, asI before said, your vor- ps Imean you, Ca, tain Vilson, thought proper to mo down the ’atek vs ey ' Very well, steward, I have heard your complaint, now you rng 2 Lasthupp tock hi s hat off with an air, made his and went down the, main ladder. *. Easy,’ said Ca; 2tain Wilson,” you must be _that. by the ations of the service by which equally bound, it, is not permitted that any offi- . ao ou law a ane etree wane t al- o not conside nec ® any as to your callin g the man a radical black- v I consider his , ‘pertinent intrusion of his _ NR RR RR “Then allow me to say,” replied Captain Wilson, biting his lips, “that I think that your zeal has in this instance been very much misplaced, and I trust you will not show so much wy “And yet, sir,’ replied Jack, aware that he wag giv- ing the captain a hard hit, and therefore looked pro- portionately humble, “we should do nothing in the service without it; and I trust one day, as you told me, to become a very zealous officer.” “T trust so, too, Mr. Easy,”’ replied the captain. “There, you may go now, and let me hear no more of een or gg own the hatchway. That sort of zeal is mis ‘on o More than my foot was, at all events,’ muttered Jack, as he walked off, Ca laughed heartily, and told Mr. Sawbridge ascribed his language to our hero as all z very cleverly oe me it all back again; and really. Sawbridge, as it proves how weak was my defense o you, you may gain from this lesson.” Sawbridgs thought so, too; but both agreed that Jack's rights of man were in considerable danger. The day before the ship sailed the captain and Mr. Asper dined with the governor; and as there was little more to do, Mr. Sawbridge, who had not quitted the ship sinco she had been in port, and had some few pur- chases to make, left her in the afternoon in the charge of Mr. Smallsole, the master. Now, as we have ob- served, he was Jack's inveterate enemy—indeed Jack had already made three, Mr. Smallsole, Mr. Biggs, the boatswain, and open ae the purser’s steward. Mr. Smallsole was glad to be left in command, as he hoped to have an opportunity of Saari our hero, who cer- tainly laid himself not a little open to it. Like all those who are seldom in command, the mas- ter was proportionally tyrannical and abusive—he swore at the men, e them do the duty twice and thrice over, on the pretense that it was not smartly cone and found fault with every officer remaining on **Mr. Biggs— by God, sir, you seem to be all asleep forward. su e you think that you are to do nothing now the first lieutenant is out of the ship? tain Wilson, as soon as our hero cong |) ag Woe | and argued upon, as just or unjust 6 en He has How long will it be, sir. before you are ready to sway | to omar? “ By de hol ker, I tink he sway away finely, Massy ys oheervea Mesty, who was in converse with our hero on the forecastle. Mr. Smallsole’s violence made Mr. Biggs violent, which made the boatswain’s mate violent—and the ca tain of the forecastle violent also; all which is practi- cally exemplified by philosophy in the laws of motion, communicated from one body to another; and as Mr Smallsole swore, so did the boatswain swear. Also the boatswain’s mate, the captain of the forecastle, and all the men—showing the force of example. Mr. Smallsole came forward. ** Damnation, 4 what the devil are you , much as we can, a e “lumbered as the forecastle is with idlers.”” And here Mr. Biggs looked at our hero and Mesty, who were standing against the bulwark. “What are you doing here, sir?’’ cried Mr. Smallisole to our hero. “* Nothi tas all, sir,” replied Jack. “Then I ve you something to do, sir. Go up to the mast-head, and wait there till I call you down, Come, sir, I'll show you the way,”’ continued the mas- ter, wal aft. Jack followed till they were on the quarter-dec “Now, sir, up to the main-top gallant mast-head; 9 eae upon the cross-trees—up with you.” “What am I to go up there for, sir?’ in ony Jack, ‘“‘For punishment, sir,”’ replied the master, “What have I done, sir?” “No reply 2 with you.” “Tf yea please, sir,” replied Jack, “I should wish to argue thi int a little.” : e point!’ roared Mr, Smallsole—“ by Jove, I'll teach you to argue the point—away with you, sir.’ “If you please, sir,’’ continued Jack, “the captain told me that the articles of war were the rules and tions by which At one in the service was to be . Now, sir,” said Jack, “‘I have read them over ill I know them by heart, and there is not one word of mast-h in the whole of them.”’ Here Jack took the articles out of his pocket and unfolded them. “Will you go to the head, sir, or will you not?” said Mr, Sm le. “Will you show me the mast-head in the articles of war, sir?” replied Jack; “ here they are.”’ “T tell you, sir, to go to the mast-head: if not, I'll be d—d if I don’t hoist you up in a bread-bag.’ “There's nothing about beet pee in the articles of war, sir,” replied Jack; ‘but I’ll tell you what there is, sir’ and Jack commenced reading: * All om Sari es and all persons in or belonging to his majésty’s ships or vessels of war, being guilty of profane oaths, execrations, enness, uncleanness, or other scandalous actions, in derogation of God’s honor, and corruption of good manners, shall incur such punishment as—” “Damnation!” cried the master, who was mad with fase, Dearing that the whole ship’s company were la ng. “No, sir, not damnation,” replied Jack; “that’s when he’s tried above; but acco to the nature and degree of the offense.” “Will you . £0 to the mast-head, sir, or will you not?” “If you please,” replied Jack, “I'd rather not.” ‘Then, sir, consider yourself under an arrest. I'll try you by a court-martial, by God. Go down below, “With the test pleasure, sir,’’ replied Jack; “that’s all right and according to the artiales of war, , I have little reason to | “Yes so would everybody; but if that were per- | mitted, the service would be at a standstill—that woul! not do; you must obey an order first, and then com- | plain afterward, if the order is unjust.” | “Tt is not so in the articles of war.” | “But it is so in the service.” “The captain told me that the articles of war wer> _the guides of the service, and we were all equal'v bound to obey them.” | “Well, but allowing that, I do not think your articles of war will bear you out. You observe, they say any Officer, mariner, etc., guilty of disobedience to ai lawful command. Now are you not guilty under that article?” “That remains to be argued still,” replied Jack. “A lawful command means an order established by law ; | now where is that law?—besides, the captain told r:c | when I kicked that blackguard down the hatchwar, | that there was only the captain who could punish, ar! | that officers could not take the law into their ov n | hands; why then has the master?” ‘His doing wrong as superior officer is no reas why you as an inferior should disobey him. If th: were permitted—if every order were to be caviled a’, there would be an to all discipline. Besides, recollect that in the ser- vice there is custom, which is the same as law.” ‘That admits of a little argument,” replied Jack. “The service will admit of none, my dear boy; rece): lect that, even on shore, we have two laws, that which is written, and the ‘lex non scripta,’ which is custom: of course we have it in the service, for the articles «f war cannot provide for everything.” “They provide a court-martial for everythin-, nog ’ replied Jack. ‘Yes, with death or dismissal from the service—- neither of which would be very ble. You he» got yourself into a scrape, and although the captain is evidently your friend, he cannot overlook it: fortu nately, it fs with the master, which is of less conse quence than with the other officers; but still you w'!’ have to submit, for the captain cannot overlook it.” “Tl tell 7 Wee oF . 2” amg eho eyes now begin to open a great many ‘ i) captain tells me, when I am astonished at bad lan- that it is all and then I found out that whrt zealina ead an inferior, is insolence wh: reversed. He tells me, that the articles of war ar: made to equally guide us all—the master breaks wh-t is positively mentioned in the second article twenty times over, and goes scot free, while I am to be pun ished, because I do not hf with what the artic!*s do not mention. How was Ito know that I ought go tothe mast-head for punishment? when the captain tells me that he alone is the ship. If I obey an orderin opposition to the cap- tain’s order, is not that as bad as disobeying tke cap tain? I think thatI have made outa Mal strong ca’ *. and my arguments are not to be confuted.”’ “T’m afraid that the master will make out a very stron Case, and that your arguments will never be h i “That will be contrary to all the rules of justice.” * But coating the rules of service.”’ rticular! 7 punish in “IT do believe that I am a great fool,” observed Jact:, after a pause, ‘*‘ What do you imagine made me com» to sea, Jolliffe?” ‘* Because you did not know when you were well of, replied the mate, dryly. ‘That’s true eno ; but my reason was, because thought I should find that equality here that Icould no’ find on shore.”’ Jolliffe stared. “My dear boy: I heard you say that you obtaine:! those opinions from your father; 1 mean no disrespect to him, but he must be either mad or foolish, if at his age he has not discovered that there is no such thing in existence.” ““I begin to think so,” replied Jack; “‘ but that du not a le that there ought not to be.” “Il beg your pardon; the very non-existence prove: that it ought not to be—‘ whatever is, is right’—you ht as well e to find perfect happiness or per fec ion in the individual. Your father must be a vision ‘The best that I can do is to go home again,” “No, my dear , the best thing that you can cc is, to stay in the service, for it will soon put anend «© all such nonsensical ideas; and it will make you » clever, sensible fellow. The service is a rough, bu. - school, where every body finds his level—not (') evel of equality, but the level which his natural tale. and acquirements will rise or sink him to, in proportio: as they are plus or minus, It is a noble service, lb": has its imperfections, as everything in this world mu speak in its favor, as for as I am concerned, for it has been hard bread to me but there must be exceptions in every Swit Do nt think of quitting the service until you have given it « fair trial. I am aware that you are an only son, a. ‘ your father is a man of property, and, therefore, in the common parlance of the world, you are independent but, believe me, no man, however rich, is independent unless he has a profession, and you will find no bet‘<. hstanding—” than t nothwit - rs “That you will be, most certainly, sent to the mar‘ ne to Tard kak ‘ih ay * We’ e int,” replied Jack; ‘‘at alleverc: I will go and turn intonight* CHAPTER XIIL IN WHICH OUR HERO BEGINS TO ACT AND THINK FOR HIMSELF WHATEVER may have been Jack’s thoughts, at ol. il his rest. He possessed in hi self all the mate of a true geome bee but ther was a great deal of weeding req . vdolliffe’. arguments, sensible as they were, had very little efr ~— upon him; for, strange to say, it is much more easy \>- ons when he is wrong, than whe". that we are all of a very perverm. ought Jack, “if I am to go to th events they did not he is right “8, e . nature. “Well,” t mast-head, I am, that’s all; but it does not prove tha. - not >> ahooks my arguments are not com (eo) | ) _ ee ee Bee & “ Eee lt eee ed aim *