. Recollections of a sea wanderer's life; an autobiography of an old-time seaman who has sailed in almost every capacity before and abaft the mast, in nearly every quarter of the globe, and under the flags of four of the principal maritime nations. ice globe, how was it pos-sible for ships to sail safely around on the opposite years passed before I was able to feel and know thatI was on the surface of the great globe of the earth, andthat it appeared of the same level in all places, except onlywhen on or near high mountain-tops. Many times have I spied with great interest the white c
. Recollections of a sea wanderer's life; an autobiography of an old-time seaman who has sailed in almost every capacity before and abaft the mast, in nearly every quarter of the globe, and under the flags of four of the principal maritime nations. ice globe, how was it pos-sible for ships to sail safely around on the opposite years passed before I was able to feel and know thatI was on the surface of the great globe of the earth, andthat it appeared of the same level in all places, except onlywhen on or near high mountain-tops. Many times have I spied with great interest the white can-vas of some vessel while rounding the point of the Isle ofOrleans, and watched it until it should come to and furlsails abreast of the citadel on Cape Diamond, lower its gig,manned by bronzed seamen, who made the spray fly fromtheir oar blades as they brought their captain ashore. HowI gazed with awe at all—captain and sailors—who hadbrought from remote lands spices, silks, perfumes, andstrange-looking fruits. I am quite sure that my senses were captivated one byone by the various belongings of the vessels that I smell of tarred rigging, the tropical fruits; the noisesmade by the huge chains, hawsers, creaking yards ; the. l6 OUT OF ONE KID. shouting and singing of the sailors ; even the swearing ofthe ruffianly mates and master stevedores did not seem veryawful, but on the whole somewhat fascinating. To be sure,some of the more violent swearers actually made the coldchills run down my back, and caused me to wonder whysuch terrible words were needed; but time wore off suchsensitiveness, and I grew familiar with a vast catalogue ofoaths in many languages, which were poured out from habitrather than in rage. Oaths in a sailors mouth are simplysalt, spice, seasoning, or, as the writers say, italics, smallcaps, and exclamation points, necessary to give piquancy andforce to the discourse. I usually embraced every opportunity to talk with anygrizzled veteran of the
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectseafari, bookyear1887
