THE AMERICAN WHALEMAN. 19 



carried a very heavy crew. My kit was purchased and tak- 

 en on board, and one drizzly dark morning I went on board 

 in my gay shirt and spotless ducks. When examined by 

 the surgeon, he pounced on my wrist, left crooked from frac- 

 ture in the late accident. It was still tender : he gave it an 

 awful wrench ; I flinched. " You won't do," was his awful 

 verdict. In vain I told him that it was getting well very 

 fast, and would soon be as sound as the other. He saw my 

 heart was in going, and, being a kindly man, he said, " I can't 

 pass you as sound ; but go on shore now, and thank God 

 that a weak wrist stands between you and this voyage." I 

 did not know what he meant, but I went home to the quiet 

 country almost heart-broken; and had no peace of mind 

 until a letter from my friend, Mr. Lorenzo Draper, of New 

 York, brought the glad tidings that he had secured a place 

 for me on the Chelsea. And in a few days, with great joy 

 in my heart (for which God forgive me), I kissed the tearful 

 faces which bade me farewell for the long and, to them, fear- 

 ful voyage which lay before me. Little did the good major 

 know how little I needed the kindly encouragement he was 

 extending ; and lest I might again be disappointed, I made 

 haste to append my name to the articles. 



"Ah.! you've signed. That's a good Bill; there's a cap- 

 tain's berth ahead, if you earn. it. Now run down to Mr. 

 Strong in the basement; he'll finish your outfit in a jiffy. 

 Take good advice : he is as sharp as he's Strong ; make him 

 take off fifteen per cent, for cash : he will get rich faster 

 than you or I at that. Get a good outfit ; spend your money 

 for clothes, and not for tobacco, so that you may keep clear 

 of the slop -chest. You have a week before you sail: look 

 about you, and make the most of New London ; for a three 

 years' voyage is no trifle, and you won't see a better place 

 the other side of the land. Good-morning." 



I did not again speak to the major for forty-five months. 



