As night fell, the condition of the “greenies,” or non-sailor portion of the crew, was pitiable.  Helpless from sea-sickness, not knowing where to go or what to do, bullied relentlessly by the ruthless petty officers—­well, I never felt so sorry for a lot of men in my life.  Glad enough I was to get below into the fo’lk’sle for supper, and a brief rest and respite from that cruelty on deck.  A bit of salt junk and a piece of bread, i.e. biscuit, flinty as a pantile, with a pot of something sweetened with “longlick” (molasses), made an apology for a meal, and I turned in.  In a very few minutes oblivion came, making me as happy as any man can be in this world.

*

CHAPTER II

PREPARING FOR ACTION

The hideous noise always considered necessary in those ships when calling the watch, roused me effectively at midnight, “eight bells.”  I hurried on deck, fully aware that no leisurely ten minutes would be allowed here.  “Lay aft the watch,” saluted me as I emerged into the keen strong air, quickening my pace according to where the mate stood waiting to muster his men.  As soon as he saw me, he said, “Can you steer?” in a mocking tone; but when I quietly answered, “Yes, sir,” his look of astonishment was delightful to see.  He choked it down, however, and merely telling me to take the wheel, turned forrard roaring frantically for his watch.  I had no time to chuckle over what I knew was in store for him, getting those poor greenies collected from their several holes and corners, for on taking the wheel I found a machine under my hands such as I never even heard of before.

The wheel was fixed upon the tiller in such a manner that the whole concern travelled backwards and forwards across the deck in the maddest kind of way.  For the first quarter of an hour, in spite of the September chill, the sweat poured off me in streams.  And the course—­well, if was not steering, it was sculling; the old bumboat was wobbling all around like a drunken tailor with two left legs.  I fairly shook with apprehension lest the mate should come and look in the compass.  I had been accustomed to hard words if I did not steer within half a point each way; but here was a “gadget” that worked me to death, the result being a wake like a letter S. Gradually I got the hang of the thing, becoming easier in my mind on my own account.  Even that was not an unmixed blessing, for I had now some leisure to listen to the goings-on around the deck.

Such brutality I never witnessed before.  On board of English ships (except men-of-war) there is practically no discipline, which is bad, but this sort of thing was maddening.  I knew how desperately ill all those poor wretches were, how helpless and awkward they would be if quite hale and hearty; but there was absolutely no pity for them, the officers seemed to be incapable of any feelings of compassion whatever.  My heart sank within me as I thought of what lay before me, although I did not fear that their treatment would also be mine, since I was at least able to do my duty, and willing to work hard to keep out of trouble.  Then I began to wonder what sort of voyage I was in for, how long it would last, and what my earnings were likely to be, none of which things I had the faintest idea of.