ot steer within half a point
each way; but here was a "gadget" that worked me to death, the result
being a wake like a letter S. Gradually I got the hang of the thing,
becoming easier in my mind on my own account. Even that was not an
unmixed blessing, for I had now some leisure to listen to the goings-on
around the deck.

Such brutality I never witnessed before. On board of English ships
(except men-of-war) there is practically no discipline, which is bad,
but this sort of thing was maddening. I knew how desperately ill all
those poor wretches were, how helpless and awkward they would be if
quite hale and hearty; but there was absolutely no pity for them, the
officers seemed to be incapable of any feelings of compassion whatever.
My heart sank within me as I thought of what lay before me, although
I did not fear that their treatment would also be mine, since I was
at least able to do my duty, and willing to work hard to keep out of
trouble. Then I began to wonder what sort of voyage I was in for, how
long it would last, and what my earnings were likely to be, none of
which things I had the faintest idea of.

Fortunately, I was alone in the world. No one, as far as I knew, cared
a straw what became of me; so that I was spared any worry on that head.
And I had also a very definite and well-established trust in God, which
I can now look back and see was as fully justified as I then believed
it to be. So, as I could not shut my ears to the cruelties being carried
on, nor banish thought by hard work, I looked up to the stately stars,
thinking of things not to be talked about without being suspected of
cant. So swiftly passed the time that when four bells struck: (two
o'clock) I could hardly believe my ears.

I was relieved by one of the Portuguese, and went forward to witness a
curious scene. Seven stalwart men were being compelled to march up and
down on that tumbling deck, men who had never before trodden anything
less solid than the earth.

The third mate, a waspish, spiteful little Yankee with a face like an
angry cat, strolled about among them, a strand of rope-yarns in his
hand, which he wielded constantly, regardless where he struck a man.
They fell about, sometimes four or five at once, and his blows flew
thick and fast, yet he never seemed to weary of his ill-doing. It made
me quite sick, and I longed to be aft at the wheel again. Catching sight
of me standing irresolute as to what I had better do, he ordered m