The Hero of the Humber | Page 4

not only struck
with amazement at the courage and endurance of sailors in exposing
themselves to the elements, but, influenced by their imagination,
magnified the energy and bravery that overcame them. Peasants gazed
with wild astonishment on the village lad returned, after a few years
absence, a veritable 'Jack tar.' The credulity of these delighted listeners
tempted Jack to 'spin his yarns,' and tell his tales of nautical adventures,
real or imaginary. Hence, he was everywhere greeted with a genial and
profuse hospitality. The best seat in the house, the choicest drinks in the
cellar, were for Jack. Our ships of commerce, like so many shuttles,
were rapidly weaving together the nations of the earth in friendly amity.
Besides, a romantic sentiment and feeling, generated to a great extent
by the victories which our invincible navy had won during the battles
of the Nile, and perpetuated by Nelson's sublime battle cry, 'England
expects every man to do his duty,' helped to swell the tide of sympathy
in favour of the sailor. Under these circumstances Jack became

Society's indulged and favoured guest; and yet he remained outside of
it. 'Peculiarities incident to his profession, and which ought to have
been corrected by education and religion, became essential features of
character in the public mind. A sailor became an idea--a valuable
menial in the service of the commonwealth, but as strange and as
eccentric in his habits as the walk of some amphibious animal, or
web-footed aquatic on land. To purchase a score of watches, and to fry
them in a pan with beer, to charter half a dozen coaches, and invite foot
passengers inside, while he 'kept on deck,' or in any way to scatter his
hard earnings of a twelvemonth in as many hours, was considered
frolicsome thoughtlessness, which was more than compensated by the
throwing away of a purse of gold to some poor woman in distress.'
Land-sharks and crimps beset the young sailor in every sea port; low
music halls and dingy taverns and beer shops presented their attractions;
and there the 'jolly tars' used to swallow their poisonous compounds,
and roar out ribald songs, and dance their clumsy fandangoes with the
vilest outcasts of society. 'It is a necessary evil,' said some; 'it is the
very nature of sailors, poor fellows.' While the thoughtless multitude
were immensely tickled with Jack's mad antics and drolleries. Generous
to a fault to all who were in need, Jack's motto was:--
While there's a shot in the locker, a messmate to bless, It shall always
be shared with a friend in distress.
[Sidenote: JACK'S FROLICS.]
Amid such scenes as these our friend spent a great portion of his youth
and early manhood. The loud ribald laugh, the vile jest and song, the
midnight uproar, the drunken row, the flaunting dress and impudent
gestures of the wretched women who frequent our places of ungodly
resort--amid such scenes as these, did he waste his precious time and
squander away much of his hard earned money. But though a wild and
reckless sailor, his warm and generous heart was ever impelling him to
noble and generous deeds. If he sometimes became the dupe of the
designing, and indulged in the wild revelry of passion, at other times he
gave way to an outburst of generosity bordering on prodigality,
relieving the necessities of the poor, or true to the instincts of a British

tar standing up to redress the wrongs of the oppressed.
CHAPTER II.
HIS CONVERSION AND INNER EXPERIENCE.
When far away on the sea, and while mingling in all the dissipated
scenes of a sailor's life, John would sometimes think of those youthful
days--the only sunny spot in his life's journey--when he 'walked in the
fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost.' Serious thoughts
would rise in his mind, and those seeds of truth, sown in his heart while
listening to Clowes and Oxtoby, and which for years seemed dead,
would be quickened into life. He had often wished to hear Mr. Clowes
once more, and on seeing a placard announcing that he would preach at
the opening of the Nile Street Chapel, Hull (1846), he hastened home,
and, sailor-like, quaintly observed to his wife, 'Why that old Clowes is
living and is going to preach. Let's go and hear him.' On the following
Sunday he went to the chapel, but it was so many years since he had
been to God's house that he now felt ashamed to enter, and for some
minutes he wandered to and fro in front of the chapel. At length he
ventured to go in, and sat down in a small pew just within the door. His
mind was deeply affected, and ere the next Sabbath he had taken two
sittings in the chapel.