Notes by the Way in A Sailors Life | Page 5

to
proceed to sea in face of a very strong southwest monsoon. The
"Raleigh" was to go out by the Lyemoon and return by Green Island.
The ship was got under way, and went out in the ordinary way by the

Lyemoon, and beat round the island. After some hours she came back
by way of Green Island, with all plain sails and all studding-sails set.
At first this called for no special attention, except for the grand sight of
a man-of-war under full sail.
At this time, the harbour was full of sailing-ships of all nations, and as
the "Raleigh" came near and threaded her way among them, the crews
of the various ships became interested. When the "Raleigh" came near
to her anchorage, the order was quietly passed, and then, as if by magic,
in came all studding-sails; then, in the same manner, all plain sails;
after that "Let go the anchor," and a running moor was made. Then
came cheers from every sailor who had witnessed the maneuvre, cheers
that could be heard all over Hongkong as it was then.
Well, sir, the Admiral was not pleased with this piece of skill in
seamanship, and for coming through a crowded harbour under all sail.
The "Raleigh" was ordered out for a twenty-four hours' cruise, and to
come in in a shipshape way the next time. Well, she went out again,
and as she came in past Green Island, she had all sail as before, and
when nearing the shipping, greatly to the astonishment of every one, in
came all plain sail and furled, leaving only the studding-sails; and
under these she went through the shipping to her anchorage, and then,
"In all studding-sails," and a running moor was made as before. And, if
possible, the cheers were more vehement than before.
Now, sir, what do you think was the effect? Why, nearly half the sailors
in the merchant ships wanted to join the "Raleigh." They could not be
accommodated, but many were engaged and put on board the "Sibyl."
It may also be remembered that when the "Raleigh" struck a rock near
Macao, a French man-of-war was in sight. The French flag was hoisted
and saluted by the "Raleigh." After the salute, the order was given to
abandon ship, and all this was done with as much coolness as if going
to a church parade.

A Singular Meeting.

A few years ago I had with me as chief mate a man who had left his
home when quite a boy to come to China. After arrival in Shanghai, he
got a position as quartermaster, and worked his way up to chief mate.
After about eighteen years' absence from his home, an older brother of

his came to Shanghai in command of a sailing-ship, and the two
brothers met. The captain and I were introduced to each other, and I
invited him to spend all the time he could with his young brother on
board the steamer. Later the captain asked me to use my influence to
get his brother to go home with him to see his mother, who was a very
old lady, and always yearning to see her child "Sam."
After some trouble, I persuaded him, as a matter of duty, to go home,
and obtained for him a year's leave of absence. He left Shanghai in his
brother's ship, and went to Iloilo, where the vessel loaded and sailed for
America. When the vessel was well on her way towards the Cape of
Good Hope, they had one very calm day, and a short distance from
them was another vessel showing the American flag. The two brothers
agreed to have a boat lowered and to pull over to the stranger for a
short visit. This was done, and to their great surprise, when they got on
board, they found that the captain was their own older brother.
The two captains had been employed in different ports and on different
voyages, and had not met each other in fifteen years, and the oldest and
the youngest had never met before.

A Little Railway Experience.

By way of a change, I will tell you of a little railway experience I once
had. During the Civil War in America, I had occasion to go from New
York to Boston on important business, and I was there some days.
When my business was ended I decided on leaving Boston by the
midnight train.
Each hotel had its coach to convey guests to the depot or railway
station. I took my seat in the coach, and was joined by a gentleman also
going to New York. We each got our railway tickets, and sat side by
side in the same carriage, or "car," and after some little