It is also the
habit of the Anglo-Saxon to hold the French in slight esteem on the
sea. The Canadians were wretched sailors, and Thorn despised them.
Thorn also cherished a natural hatred against the English, who were
carrying things with a high hand on our coast. He began the voyage
with a violent prejudice against the four partners on his ship.
Indeed, the _Constitution_ had convoyed the _Tonquin_ to sea because it
was rumored that a British brig-o'-war intended to swoop down upon her
and take off the English subjects on board. It was quite evident that
war would shortly break out between England {264} and the United
States, and the Scottish partners had surreptitiously consulted the
English consul as to what they should do if hostilities began. They
were informed that in that case they would be treated as British
subjects--a fine situation for an American expedition!

With such a spirit in the captain, and such a feeling on the part of
the passengers, the relations between them were bound to become
strained. Hostilities began at once. The first night out Thorn
ordered all lights out at eight bells. This in spite of all the
remonstrances of the four partners, who, as representing Mr. Astor,
considered themselves, properly enough, as owners of the ship. These
gentlemen did not wish to retire at so early an hour, nor did they
desire to spend the intervening time in darkness. They remonstrated
with Thorn, and he told them, in the terse, blunt language of a seaman,
to keep quiet or he would put them in irons. In case he attempted
that, they threatened to resort to firearms for protection. Finally,
however, the captain allowed them a little longer use of their lights.
Thus was inaugurated a long, disgraceful wrangle that did not cease
while life lasted.

There was doubtless much fault on both sides, but, in spite of the
brilliant advocate who has pleaded Thorn's cause, I cannot but admit
that he was decidedly the more to blame. He carried things with a high
hand, indeed, treating the partners as he might a graceless lot of
undisciplined midshipmen.

A voyage around the Horn in those days was no slight matter. The
_Tonquin_ was a remarkably good sailer, but it was not until the 5th of
October that they sighted the Cape Verde Islands. There they struck
the Trades, and went booming down the African coast {265} at a great
rate. There, also, they were pursued by a large man-o'-war brig. On
the third day she