DEBITS AND CREDITS ' 255 



Antone Belveira dr. to Bark Marcella 



Total Slo-p-chest Bill 12.69 



At certain rare intervals, however, the whaleman demanded 

 cash, instead of goods advanced on credit. Chiefly this was 

 just before he sallied forth for a few precious hours of shore 

 leave. The commercialized dissipation and recreation open to 

 sailors in most ports required at least a modicum of money; 

 and since the average foremast hand was chronically penniless, 

 he was forced to ask the master to advance a few dollars and 

 to charge the amount against his prospective earnings. If, for 

 any or no reason, the captain refused, there was no recourse. 

 But if all the circumstances were propitious, the applicant 

 would be set ashore with a few dollars (seldom more than $5 

 or $10) in his pocket. Whatever the exact sum might be, it 

 was promptly added to the other debit items in the man's 

 account. 



The total amount of cash so drawn during the course of a 

 single voyage ranged from zero to $100 per man. Seldom 

 (and then usually in the case of a mate or boatsteerer) did it 

 exceed the latter figure. Thus during the seventh voyage of 

 the ship FabiuSy 1 862-1 865, 53% of the men received ad- 

 vances ranging from $25 to $45, inclusive j Z^% contrived to 

 exist for three years with less than $25 in cash 3 and 11% drew 



