ed
forehead. Dizzy, and almost sightless with rage, I seized a brass
candlestick, the bottom of which (to keep it steady at sea) was loaded
with lead, and threw it at him with all my might; had it taken effect as
I intended, that offence would have been his last. It missed his head,
and struck the black servant on the shoulder; the poor man went howling
to the surgeon, in whose care he remained for many days.

Murphy started up to take instant vengeance, but was held by the other
seniors of the mess, who unanimously declared that such an offence as
mine should be punished in a more solemn manner. A mock trial (without
adverting to the provocation I had received) found me guilty of
insubordination "to the oldsters," and setting a bad example to the
youngsters. I was sentenced to be _cobbed_ with a worsted stocking
filled with wet sand. I was held down on my face to the mess-table by
four stout midshipmen; the surgeon's assistant held my wrist, to
ascertain if my pulse indicated exhaustion; while Murphy, at his own
particular request, became the executioner. Had it been any other but
him, I should have given vent to my agonising pain by screams; but like
a sullen Ebo, I was resolved to endure even to death, rather than
gratify him by any expression of pain. After a most severe punishment,
a cold sweat and faintness alarmed the surgeon's assistant. I was then
released, but ordered to mess on my chest for a fortnight by myself. As
soon as I was able to stand, and had recovered my breath, I declared in
the most solemn manner, that a repetition of the offence should produce
the action for which I had suffered, and I would then appeal to the
captain for justice "and," said I, turning to Murphy, "it was I who cut
down your hammock, and had very nearly knocked out your brains. I did
it in return for your cowardly attack on me; and I will do it again, if
I suffer martyrdom for it; for every act of tyranny you commit I will
have revenge. Try me now, and see if I am not as good as my word." He
grinned, and turned pale, but dared do no more, for he was a coward. I
was ordered to quit the berth, which I did, and as I went out one of the
mates observed that I was "a proper malignant devil, by God."

This violent scene produced a sort of cessation from hostilities.
Murphy knew that he might expect a decanter at his head or a knife in
his side, if I was provoked; and that peace which I could not gain from
his compassion, I