. 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. he beam. This wind held on for several days and brought us intothe noreast trade winds. After a fine passage of eight dayswe came to anchor in the harbor of Havana. Having dis-charged our cargo of miscellaneous goods and Yankee no-tions we commenced receiving homeward cargo of boxsugar, which came alongside in lighters. With our cargo allin and read
. 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. he beam. This wind held on for several days and brought us intothe noreast trade winds. After a fine passage of eight dayswe came to anchor in the harbor of Havana. Having dis-charged our cargo of miscellaneous goods and Yankee no-tions we commenced receiving homeward cargo of boxsugar, which came alongside in lighters. With our cargo allin and ready for sea it was customary for the crew to have aholiday ashore just previous to sailing. They were allowedto go by watches, one half the first day and the other thenext. When my turn came, and I was enjoying my leave inusual sailor-like fashion, I met a Frenchman belonging to a 176 BLACKBIRDING. large ship also lying in the harbor, who was on the same jobas myself, namely, that of enjoyment. He told me that heintended to desert from his ship, where he only received fiftyfrancs a month, while he could get over six hundred inanother business. I inquired in what line, and, pointing toa fine-looking clipper bark at anchor in the offing, he de-. leaving THE BARK RAPID. formed me that she was waiting for a crew for the purpose ofgoing to the African coast for a cargo of slaves. The wageswere to be $120 a month and a slave apiece. At my suggestion we walked down the mall, and soon sawa boat shove off from her and pull toward us. Two swarthybut well-dressed men stepped ashore, and the Frenchman BLACKBIRDING. 177 addressing one of them in Spanish, which I understood,asked him if he wanted a crew. He replied that he requiredforty active, resolute men, who would not be scrupulousabout the business in which they would be engaged. Hereadily informed us of the nature of the business, and said ifwe wished to join we should be paid $120 a month with anigger drawn by lot. I immediately agreed
Size: 1308px × 1910px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectseafari, bookyear1887
