VACSTS AJCD TACfiTIN-G. 157 



But Sampson's good sense proved to be stronger than his ap- 

 petite, and the native force of his character secured a very cred- 

 itable victory for his higher moral nature, and vindicated the 

 goodness and strength of his judgment. When sailing with him 

 on one occasion, after we had delicately alluded to this subject, 

 he said, — "I ha'nt drinked no sperits since '76. I know'd it 

 wouldn't do. Why, when I used to drink, I was 'fered to talk to 

 the missuses — 'cause I 'forod they'd smell my breth. But now 

 I isn't 'fered at all. I goes 'round 'em, and 'mong 'em, and to 

 windward of 'em, or any how — and none of 'em kan't smell no 

 liker when Sampson talks to 'em, 'bout goen sailen in his boat." 



We have been informed that in Boston harbor several lives are 

 lost every summer from the capsizing of pleasure boats; that 

 Boston yachts are long and narrow, and that in their construc- 

 tion, as well as in sailing them, safety is subordinated to speed. 

 But here, surrounded by intricate channels, and the waters 

 abounding with submerged rocks and reefs, where the vessels of 

 commerce, in formidalde numbers, are stranded, and the busi- 

 ness of ''wrecking" is })ur.sued by many of the islanders undei- 

 licenses purchased of the government, we have yet to learn of 

 an instance where a serious accident has ever happened to a 

 pleasure boat. The " Triton " carries eight thousand pounds of 

 iron ballast and draws five feet of water. It grounded once when 

 we were on board of her, upon a bank of coral, and a ton of bal- 

 last was thrown overboard to get her off, but Sampson declared 

 fcuch a thing never liap])ened to the "Triton" before, and he 

 would not have the affair known for fifty dollars. lie was over- 

 board in the water so long trying to get hor off, and was so ex- 

 cited and nervous about it, lliat, alas for the fast color of his 

 ebony complexion, he fairly turned white. Aided by the friendly 

 crew of a passing boat, the "Triton" was extricated from her 

 difficulty at last, and the diplomatic Sampson made all his pas- 



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