The Cruise of the Mary Rose | Page 4

that feelings were then working within his bosom too deep
for utterance, and which afterwards exerted a powerful influence on his
career.
The following evening, the word of God having been read and our
frugal supper discussed, the looked-for journal, a dogskin-covered,
somewhat worn folio, was produced. John, by a unanimous vote, was
chosen to read it, and I am bound to say that the honest seaman's
descriptions gained considerably by the spirit which our brother's
animated voice threw into them.
CHAPTER TWO.
Supped at the "Three Crowns" with Phineas Golding our supercargo,

and so aboard, my leave being up, and work enough and over to get the
ship ready for sea. A long voyage before us of four, or it may be of five
years. Meeting our supercargo at the owner's, I had deemed him a quiet,
well-behaved young man; I now find him a slashing blade, ever ready
with his fist, or his sword, as with his pen,--hot in dispute, and always
eager to bring a quarrel to the arbitration of one of the former. How
differently do men appear when in presence of those they serve and
when out of their sight! There exists One out of whose sight we cannot
escape. How comes it that we do not always bear that truth in mind?
Are we more afraid of a fellow-creature than of the Maker and Judge of
all the world? I said thus much to Phineas Golding. He replied with an
oath, which caused me to feel that I had been casting pearls before
swine. And yet I was right, surely; for by speaking the truth boldly on
fitting occasions, I do hold that the truth will in the end prevail, and
may be conquer the unbeliever's heart. On one thing, therefore, I am
resolved, to go on as I have begun, and speak the truth always with
earnestness of purpose.
Of my other shipmates I will speak a word. The master Simon Fuller, is
grave man, the snows of nearly sixty winters settling on his head. He
has made many voyages, and seems a fit man to command men. The
first mate, too, James Festing, is every inch a seaman, but somewhat
handy with his fist, a rope's end, or a marline spike, or, truth to say,
whatever lies nearest, and withal not over choice in his words when
angered, or desirous of getting work done smartly. Of myself, as
second mate, it becometh me not to speak. I have been five years at sea,
am a fair navigator, and an average seaman. I fear God, and strive to do
my duty, though not always succeeding. Our ship's company muster
thirty-five good men, I hope, all told fore and aft. The ship, as is
requisite, is well armed, with six guns with swivels on the quarters, and
muskets, pikes, axes, and cutlasses for all hands. We have to visit many
strange places and strange people, and we must expect often and again
to fight for our lives with the savages. Phineas Golding rejoices in
adventure, and says such chiefly induced him to leave home. He has
never before been at sea, and dreams not of the troubles in store for
him.

June.--We have taken our departure from the land, which is even now
sinking astern, a strong breeze blowing from the north-east.
July.--We have touched at Madeira, belonging to the Portingalls, as the
old voyagers call them. They are a suspicious people, though civil
when not angered. I witnessed some public exhibitions, which I was
told were religious. I cannot suppose that such performances are
acceptable to our Lord and Master, or He would surely have ordered
such. But it becomes not me, after so slight acquaintance with a people,
to pass much censure on their customs, though I see not how to approve
them.
Crossing the Line, we had a usual Father Neptune and his Tritons on
board. Tony Hinks, our boatswain, was Neptune. He and his mates
severely handled some of the men who had shown ill manners or bad
tempers, tarring their faces, and shaving their chins with rusty hoops.
Phineas vowed that he would not be so treated, but had to succumb,
escaping with a thorough sousing from a dozen buckets. Phineas vows
vengeance on the boatswain; but I warn him that Tony Hinks followed
but the custom of the sea, and is not a man over whom it would be easy
to get an advantage, for he boasts that he always sleeps with one eye
open.
We have touched at Rio, the chief town in the Brazils. From what I saw,
I should take the people to be heathens, such as I have read of in
Roman and Grecian history; but they say that they are Christians. One
thing is certain,