tested he would not be released until
he should know for what he was confined; nor would he be a tennisball,
nor a shuttlecock, nor a trudge, nor a scullion, to any captain under
the sun. Oakum, finding him obstinate, and fearing it would not be in
his power to exercise his tyranny much longer with impunity, was willing
to show some appearance of justice and therefore ordered us both to be
brought before him on the quarter-deck, where he sat in state, with his
cleric on one side, and his counsellor Mackshane on the other. When we
approached, he honoured us with this salutation: "So, gentlemen, d--n
my blood! many a captain in the navy would have ordered you both to
be tucked up to the yard's arm, without either judge or jury, for the
crimes you have been guilty of; but, d--n my blood, I have too much good
nature in allowing such dogs as you to make defence." "Captain Oakum,"
said my fellow-sufferer, "certainly it is in your power (Cot help
the while) to tack us all up at your will, desire, and pleasures.
And perhaps it would be petter for some of us to be tucked up than to
undergo the miseries to which we have been exposed. So may the farmer
hang his kids for his diversion, and amusement, and mirth; but there is
such a thing as justice, if not upon earth, surely in heaven, that will
punish with fire and primstone all those who take away the lives of
innocent people out of wantonness, and parparity (look you). In the mean
time. I shall be glad to know the crimes laid to my charge, and see
the person who accuses me." "That you shall," said the captain; "here,
doctor, what have you to say?" Mackshane, stepping forward, hemmed a
good while, in order to clear his throat, and, before he began, Morgan
accosted him thus: "Doctor Mackshane, look in my face--look in the face
of an honest man, who abhors a false witness as he abhors the tevil,
and Cot be judge between you and me." The doctor, not minding this
conjuration, made the following speech, as near as I can remember: "I'll
tell you what, Mr. Morgan; to be sure what you say is just, in regard
to an honest man, and if so be it appears as how you are an honest man,
then it is my opinion that you deserve to be acquitted, in relation to
that there affair, for I tell you what, Captain Oakum is resolved for to
do everybody justice. As for my own part, all that I have to allege is,
that I have been informed you have spoken disrespectful words against
your captain, who, to be sure, i