THE British brig Janson, Thompson, master, laden1 with sugar, pimento, &c. &c. left Kingston, Jamaica, in the early part of March, in the present year, bound for Glasgow. The skipper, who was a genuine son of the "Land o' Cakes," concluded to take the inside passage, and run through the gulf2. This might have been questioned by seamen3 better acquainted with the windward passage; but as every Scotchman likes to have his own way, the advice of the first officer--an experienced salt in the West India waters--went to leeward4. On rounding Cape5 Antoine, it was evident that a strong blow was approaching. The clouds hung their dark curtains in threatening blackness; and, as the sharp flashes of lightning inflamed6 the gloomy scene, the little bark seemed like a speck7 upon the bosom8 of the sea. It was the first mate's watch on deck. The wind, then blowing from the W.S.W., began to increase and veer9 into the westward10; from whence it suddenly chopped into the northward11. The mate paced the quarter wrapt in his fearnought jacket, and at every turn giving a glance aloft, then looking at the compass, and again to the man at the wheel, as if he had an instinct of what was coming.
He was a fearless navigator, yet, like many others who had yielded to the force of habit, was deeply imbued12 with that prevalent superstition13 so common to sailors, which regards a particular ship as unlucky. Imagine an old-fashioned boatswain, with north-country features strongly marked, a weather-beaten face, and a painted south-wester on his head, and you have the "Mister Mate" of the old brig Janson.
"Keep her full, my hearty14. We must take in our light sails and go on the other tack15 soon. If we don't catch it before daylight, I'll miss my calculation. She's an unlucky old craft as ever I sailed in, and if the skipper a'n't mighty17 careful, he'll never get her across. I've sworn against sailing in her several times, but if I get across in her this time, I'll bid her good-by; and if the owners don't give me a new craft, they may get somebody else. We're just as sure to have bad luck as if we had cats and parsons aboard."
Thus saying, he descended18 the companion-way, and reported the appearance of the weather to the skipper, who arose quickly, and, consulting his barometer20, found it had fallen to near the lowest scale. After inquiring the quarter of the wind, and how she headed, what sail she was carrying, and the probable distance from the cape, he gave orders to call all hands to take in the topgallant-sails, double reef the fore16, and single reef the maintop-sails, and stow the flying-jib--dressed himself, and came on deck. Just as he put his head above the slide of the companion, and stopped for a minute with his hands resting upon the sides, a vivid flash of lightning hung its festoons of fire around the rigging, giving it the appearance of a chain of livid flame.
"We'll catch the but-end of a gulf sneezer soon. Tell the boys to bear a hand with them sails. We must get her snug21, and stand by to lay her under a double-reefed maintop-sail and jib, with her head to the northward and eastward22. We may make a clear drift--chance if it lasts long," said Skipper Thompson, as he stood surveying the horizon and his craft. Scarcely had he given the orders before the storm burst upon them with all its fury. Its suddenness can only be appreciated by those who have sailed in the West India passages, where the sudden shocks of the short-chopping sea acts with a tremendous strain upon the hull23 of a heavy-laden vessel24. The captain ran to the windward gangway, hurrying his men in the discharge of their duty, and giving another order to clew up the coursers and foretop-sail. Just as the men had executed the first, and were about to pull on the clew-lines of the latter, a sudden gust25 took effect upon the bag of the sail and carried it clean from the bolt-ropes. The halyards were lowered and the yards properly braced26 up, while the Janson was brought to under the canvas we have before described. In a few minutes more the wind had increased to a gale27, and, as the sailors say, several times the old craft "wouldn't look at it." Several times we had to put her helm up, and as many times she shipped those forcing cross seas which drive every thing before them, and sweep the decks. At length a piece of canvas was lashed28 to the fore-rigging which gave her a balance, and she rode easy until about five o'clock in the morning, when by a sudden broach29 the canvas was carried away, and a tremendous sharp sea boarded her forward; starting several stanchions, carrying away part of her starboard bulwark31 and rail, and simultaneously32 the foretop-gallant-mast, which snapped just above the withe. As a natural consequence, every thing was in the utmost confusion--the old hull worked in every timber. The wreck33 swayed to and fro, retarding34 the working of the vessel and endangering the lives of those who attempted to clear it from obstruction35. Thus she remained for more than half an hour, nearly on her beam-ends, and at the mercy of each succeeding sea that threatened to engulf36 her.
As daylight broke, the wind lulled37, and, as usual in those waters, the sea soon ran down. Enabled to take the advantage of daylight, they commenced to clear away the wreck. In the mean time it was found necessary to remove the fore-hatch in order to get out some spare sails that had been stowed away near the forward bulkhead, instead of a more appropriate place. The mate, after trying the pumps in the early part of the gale, reported that she had started a leak; which, however, was so trifling38 as to require but one man to keep her free, until she broached39, and carried away her topgallant-mast. The man on duty then reported the water increasing, and another was ordered to assist him. On an examination in the morning, it was found that she was strained in the fore-channels, and had started a but.
"She's an unlucky concern, skipper," said the mate as he brought the axe40 to take the battons off the forehatch. "A fellow might as well try to work a crab41 at low tide as to keep her to it in a blow like that. She minds her helm like a porpoise42 in the breakers. Old Davy must have put his mark upon her some time, but I never know'd a lucky vessel to be got as she was. She makes a haul on the underwriters every time she drifts across; for I never knew her to sail clear since I shipped in the old tub. If she was mine, I'd find a place for her at somebody's expense."
The sea became smooth, the water was found to have receded43, the wind, light, had hauled to W.S.W., and Cape Antoine was judged by dead reckoning to bear S.S.W. about thirty miles distant. The larboard fore-shrouds were found to have been scorched44 by the lightning, which had completely melted the tar30 from the after-shroud. All hands were now busily employed repairing the wreck, which by two o'clock P.M. they had got so far completed as to stand on their course in the gulf, at the rate of six knots an hour.
The skipper now consulted in his mind as to the expediency45 of making for Havana or proceeding46 on his cruise. The leak had materially diminished, and, like all old vessels47, though she gave a good portion of work at the pumps, a continuation of good weather might afford an opportunity to shove her across. Under these feelings, he was inclined to give the preference to his hopes rather than yield to his fears. He considered the interest of all concerned--consulted his mate, but found him governed by his superstition, and looking upon the issue of his life about as certain whether he jumped overboard or "stuck by the old tub." He considered again the enormous port-charges imposed in Havana, the nature of his cargo48 in regard to tariff49, should his vessel be condemned50, and the ruinous expenses of discharging, &c. &c. together with the cost of repairs, providing they were ordered. All these things he considered with the mature deliberation of a good master, who has the general interests of all concerned at heart. So, if he put away for a port, in consideration of all concerned, his lien51 for general average would have strong ground in maritime52 law; yet there were circumstances connected with the sea-worthy condition of the craft--known to himself, if not to the port-wardens, and which are matters of condition between the master and his owners--which might, upon certain technicalities of law, give rise to strong objectionable points. With all these glancing before him, he, with commendable53 prudence54, resolved to continue his voyage, and trust to kind Providence55 for the best.
"Captain," said the mate, as he stood viewing the prospect56, with a marlinespike in one hand and a piece of seizing in the other--"I verily think, if that blow had stuck to us two hours longer, the old tub would a' rolled her futtocks out. Ye don't know her as well as I do. She's unlucky, anyhow; and always has been since she sot upon the water. I've seen her top-sides open like a basket when we've been trying to work her into port in heavy weather: and a craft that won't look nearer than nine points close-hauled, with a stiff breeze, ought to be sent into the Clyde for a coal-droger. An old vessel's a perfect pickpocket57 to owners; and if this old thing hasn't opened their purses as bad as her own seams, I'll miss my reckonin'. I've had a strong foreknowledge that we wouldn't get across in her. I saw the rats leaving in Jamaica--taking up their line of march, like marines on the fore. It's a sure sign. And then I'd a dream, which is as sure as a mainstay--never deceives me. I can depend on its presentiment58. I have dreamed it several times, and we always had an awful passage. Twice we come within a bobstay of all goin' to Old Davy's store-house. I once escaped it, after I'd had my mysterious dream; but then I made the cook throw the cat overboard just after we left port, and 'twas all that saved us."
Thus saying, he went forward to serve a topgallant-stay that was stretched across the forecastle-hatch from the cat-heads, and had just been spliced59 by the men, followed by an old-fashioned sea-urchin, a miniature of the tar, with a mallet60 in his hand. The captain, although a firm, intelligent man, and little given to such notions of fate as are generally entertained by sailors, who never shake off the spiritual imaginings of the forecastle, displayed some discomfiture61 of mind at the strong character of the mate's misgivings62. He knew him to be a good sailor, firm in his duty, and unmoved by peril63. This he had proved on several occasions when sailing in other vessels, when the last ray of hope seemed to be gone. He approached the mate again, and with a pretence64 of making inquiries65 about the storage of the cargo, sounded him further in regard to his knowledge of the Bahamas, and with special reference to the port of Nassau.
"Six-tenths of her timbers are as rotten as punk," said the mate; "this North American timber never lasts long; the pump-wells are defective66, and when we carry sail upon her, they don't affect the water in the lee-bilge, and she rolls it through her air-streaks like a whale. She'll damage the best cargo that ever floated, in that way. Take my word for it, skipper, she'll never go across the Banks; she'll roll to splinters as soon as she gets into them long seas; and if we get dismasted again, it's gone Davy."
"I know the old scow before to-day, and wouldn't shipped in her, if I hadn't been lime-juiced by that villanous landlord that advanced me the trifle. But I seen she was as deep as a luggerman's sand-barge, and I popped the old cat overboard, just as we rounded the point coming out o' Kingston harbour," said a fine, active-looking sailor, who bore every trait of a royal tar, and boasted of serving five years in the East-India service, to his shipmate, while he continued to serve the stay. His words were spoken in a whisper, and not intended for the captain's ears. The captain overheard him, however; and, as a vessel is a world to those on board, the general sentiment carries its weight in controlling its affairs. Thus the strong feeling which prevailed on board could not fail to have its effect upon the captain's mind.
"Well, we'll try her at any rate," said the captain, walking aft and ordering the cabin-boy to bring up his glass; with which he took a sharp look to the southward.
"I'd shape her course for a southern Yankee port. I haven't been much in them, but I think we'll stand a better chance there than in these ports where they make a speculation67 of wrecking68, and would take a fellow's pea-jacket for salvage69." "We're always better under the protection of a consul19 than in a British port," said the mate, coming aft to inform the skipper that they had carried away the chains of the bobstay, and that the bowsprit strained her in the knight-heads.
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laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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leeward
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| adj.背风的；下风的 | |
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cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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speck
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| n.微粒，小污点，小斑点 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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veer
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| vt.转向，顺时针转，改变；n.转向 | |
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westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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12
imbued
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| v.使（某人/某事）充满或激起（感情等）( imbue的过去式和过去分词 )；使充满；灌输；激发（强烈感情或品质等） | |
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superstition
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| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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tack
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| n.大头钉；假缝，粗缝 | |
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fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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consul
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| n.领事；执政官 | |
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barometer
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| n.气压表，睛雨表，反应指标 | |
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snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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hull
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| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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gust
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| n.阵风，突然一阵（雨、烟等），（感情的）迸发 | |
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braced
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| adj.拉牢的v.支住( brace的过去式和过去分词 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来 | |
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gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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broach
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| v.开瓶，提出(题目) | |
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tar
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| n.柏油，焦油；vt.涂或浇柏油/焦油于 | |
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bulwark
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| n.堡垒，保障，防御 | |
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simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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retarding
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| 使减速( retard的现在分词 )； 妨碍； 阻止； 推迟 | |
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obstruction
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| n.阻塞，堵塞；障碍物 | |
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engulf
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| vt.吞没，吞食 | |
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lulled
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| vt.使镇静，使安静（lull的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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39
broached
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| v.谈起( broach的过去式和过去分词 )；打开并开始用；用凿子扩大（或修光）；（在桶上）钻孔取液体 | |
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40
axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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crab
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| n.螃蟹，偏航，脾气乖戾的人，酸苹果；vi.捕蟹，偏航，发牢骚；vt.使偏航，发脾气 | |
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porpoise
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| n.鼠海豚 | |
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43
receded
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的过去式和过去分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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44
scorched
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| 烧焦，烤焦( scorch的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（植物）枯萎，把…晒枯； 高速行驶； 枯焦 | |
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45
expediency
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| n.适宜；方便；合算；利己 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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tariff
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| n.关税，税率；(旅馆、饭店等)价目表，收费表 | |
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50
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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lien
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| n.扣押权，留置权 | |
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maritime
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| adj.海的，海事的，航海的，近海的，沿海的 | |
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commendable
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| adj.值得称赞的 | |
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prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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pickpocket
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| n.扒手；v.扒窃 | |
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presentiment
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| n.预感，预觉 | |
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spliced
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| adj.（针织品）加固的n.叠接v.绞接( splice的过去式和过去分词 )；捻接（两段绳子）；胶接；粘接（胶片、磁带等） | |
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mallet
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| n.槌棒 | |
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discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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misgivings
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕；疑虑，担心，恐惧( misgiving的名词复数 )；疑惧 | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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defective
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| adj.有毛病的，有问题的，有瑕疵的 | |
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speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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wrecking
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| 破坏 | |
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salvage
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| v.救助，营救，援救；n.救助，营救 | |
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