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