to steering
vessels across the ocean. He went to sea as mate, and shortly after as
master, of a merchantman. He was chiefly employed in the West India
trade.

It has been said, that all, or nearly all, the Americans taken on board
piratical vessels in the West Indies and parts adjoining, are natives of
New-England; and it is gravely stated as a reason, that in consequence
of the immense trade between that section of the Union and those
islands, and the neighboring parts of the main land, that are the chief
scenes of piratical depredation and resort; the crews of the New-England
vessels trading, and occasionally smuggling, in bye-ports, become
gradually and imperceptibly acquainted with those of piratical vessels
frequenting those bye-ports and obscure harbors, for the purpose of
refitting their vessels or disposing of their plunder; and that these
acquaintances ripen into intimacies, that terminate in a strong cord
with a running noose in the end of it. The deduction is perfectly
logical, and it only remains to substantiate the premises; and these, I
fear, may be proved, in but too many cases, to be based upon too solid a
foundation to be overthrown by all the incredulous writhings of national
pride. Be that as it may, the atrocities of Gibbs and others have
recently proved, that total depravity is approached as nearly by the
natives of New-England as by any of our Christian brethren.

In process of time the subject of our narrative grew tired of stowing
molasses, feeding horses, or throwing them overboard, and "dodging" from
island to island, and entered the naval service of the United States.
The vessel to which he was attached was stationed in the West Indies,
and had been on her station but a very short time, before that scourge
of no small portion of the western world, the yellow fever, made its
appearance on board. Our navy certainly was not then under so good
regulations as at present. The medical department might perhaps be
almost as good then as it now is, or rather as it was when I was in the
service; the disgracefully penurious compensation allowed our naval
surgeons rendering their station contemptible and degrading in the
estimation of medical men of any pride or ability. Besides this, the
sick at sea can never receive assistance from female attendance; for
although some may deem it altogether imagination, there _is_ something
so soothing to the sick or wounded man in those thousand nameless acts
of kind