caught hold of the
hammock-stanchion, when one of the men cut his hands off, and he soon
dropped astern. The first lieutenant had been ill and keeping his cot, but
on hearing the noise, he came up the hatchway in his shirt, when one of
the carpenter's crew cut him down with an axe, and he was sent overboard
with several others." Captain Pigot, who commanded her, was no doubt a
severe disciplinarian, but this was a most unheard-of, cruel and
bloodthirsty mutiny; all the officers, both guilty--if there were any
guilty--and innocent shared the same untimely fate, and surely if the crew
found themselves oppressed and ill-used, they ought to have represented
their complaints to the senior officer or the admiral, and they, in
justice, would have been listened to; at least I hope so. I am sorry to
state here that I have seen men sometimes flogged for trifles where a
minor punishment would have been more appropriate. Caprice and partiality
should never govern an officer's conduct; young lieutenants are too prone
to make complaints to their captain without reflecting on the character of
the offender. A thorough-bred seaman is very seldom in fault, and should
he unfortunately trespass a little on the discipline of the ship, his
offence should be visited as lightly as possible. Well-timed admonition
will make a surer impression than half-a-dozen cats. I speak from
experience. Before we sailed I had occasion to purchase some stockings, as
I found on inquiry that my dingy-faced washerwoman had supplied her
"lubing bruder" with several pair belonging to me, to dance with her at a
banjo hop, and took care I should not have them until the day before we
sailed, which was Saturday. On examining them I found they were so worn
into large holes that I could not put them on. Having obtained permission
to go on shore, I repaired to the magazine. All shops in the West Indies
are called magazines or stores, although some of them are so small that
you are not able to turn round without hurting your elbows. The said shop,
magazine or store was kept by a worthy, said to be honest, Israelite. I
acquainted him with my wants. "I can't sell you nothing to-day," he said;
"it is my Sabbath; but I will tell you what I can do. I will lend you six
pair, and you can pay me to-morrow." "Thank you," said I; "where's your
conscience? To-morrow will be my Sabbath." "Ah," said he "I forgot that.
Then you can pay me on Monday." "No," said I; "I'll pay you off with