344 SICKNESS INCREASES. [1829. 



Had she not been on board I should certainly have oorne up for the 

 first port under our lee, as I momentarily expected that every man 

 would be taken down with the same fever. But I reflected that some 

 slanderous tongues might attribute such a deviation from my regular 

 course solely to the fact of my wife's being on board. That idea I could 

 not tamely endure ; especially if any untoward accident should be the 

 result of such a measure. Thus was I beset with difficulties on every 

 side ; difficulties which those heroes of the drawing-room who would 

 be the most liberal in their censures could not appreciate. 



" No ! perish all first !" I muttered with bitterness, as I gloomily 

 paced the deck at midnight. " I will never subject myself to the un- 

 feeling sarcasms of those carpet-knights, on whose delicate frames the 

 winds of heaven are not permitted to blow too roughly. Let them loll 

 on their parlour sofas, or sport on the downy beds of luxury : I will 

 pursue the direct path of duty, and leave the result to an all-wise and 

 overruling Providence. His word can stay the pestilence, if such be 

 his gracious purpose. If not, we are in his hands, and let his holy 

 will be done." The soothing influence of this last reflection calmed 

 my agitations, and encouraged me to persevere in my arduous duties. 



I momentarily expected to be taken down myself ; if not with the 

 fever, by fatigue and watchfulness, in nursing the sick and navigating 

 the vessel, being constantly in motion, and scarcely able to snatch a 

 moment's repose or a mouthful of necessary nourishment. The sea- 

 men who were still able to perform their duty on deck were unwilling 

 to attend to their dying shipmates, believing the disease to be conta- 

 gious ; which was not the case, or I should certainly have taken it 

 myself, as I was day and night administering to the wants of the suf- 

 ferers, and nursing by turns the officers and my languishing but uncom- 

 plaining wife. I am certain that I did not average more than two hours* 

 sleep out of the twenty-four ; and even this sleep was not rest, for the 

 anxiety of my mind rendered it any thing but refreshing. 



Oct. 30th. — On Friday, the 30th, Mr. Scott, my third officer, ap- 

 peared to be dying, as the blood had settled under his toe-nails, and his 

 legs had become cold above his knees. I therefore took him on deck, 

 and commenced bathing his limbs with warm vinegar, and rubbing them 

 with hot flannel steeped in the same, until by vigorous exertion, and 

 long perseverance, the circulation of the stagnant blood was again re- 

 stored ; when I replaced him in his berth below. 



Oct. dist. — On the following day my first officer, Mr. Moses Hunt, 

 told me that he felt himself to be near his end, and requested to be 

 taken on deck, that his brother-officers might not suffer the shock of 

 witnessing his last agonies. I complied with his request, at the same 

 time suggesting that his situation might not be so critical as he ima- 

 gined ; but that hot vinegar with rapid friction might revive him, as it 

 had Mr. Scott. This experiment was immediately adopted with unre- 

 mitting perseverance. I observed that the blood had begun to settle 

 under his nails, that his extremities were deathlike cold, and that there 

 was scarcely any perceptible motion in his pulse. The thermometer 

 now stood at 94° in the draught of the companion. 



"It is in vain, captain," said he, taking me by the hand, while his 



