- description
- # CHAPTER XXII. THE CONSUL’S DEPARTURE
## Overview
This chapter, titled "THE CONSUL’S DEPARTURE," is part of the novel [Omoo: Adventures in the South Seas](arke:01KG8AJ7VM7B8YZ2568YF8PQ5J). It was extracted from the file [omoo.txt](arke:01KG89J1H7Y803CZ7X80F0QFHZ) and is part of the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection. This chapter follows "CHAPTER XXI." and precedes "CHAPTER XXIII. THE SECOND NIGHT OFF PAPEETEE."
## Context
The narrative describes events unfolding during a period of unrest and potential mutiny aboard a ship. The chapter details the departure of the consul and a character named Jermin, which triggers chaotic scenes among the sailors. Doctor Johnson is noted for examining the sick, while the narrator expresses his own discontent with his perceived lameness being dismissed and his name being placed on a duty list. The narrator and Doctor Long Ghost, a shore physician, find common cause with the sailors, aiming for the ship to be anchored in Papeetee Bay to secure their emancipation without outright mutiny.
## Contents
The chapter depicts the escalating tension and disarray among the crew following the consul's departure. Sailors are described as acting "like madmen," engaging in various pranks and attempts to procure more alcohol. Key events include Wilson's hurried departure amidst insults, the mate ordering the cook and steward away, and the cooper attempting to appease the crew with drink. The narrative captures the volatile atmosphere, with characters like Beauty, Flash Jack, Antone, and Navy Bob participating in the chaotic festivities and disruptions.
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- CHAPTER XXII. THE CONSUL’S DEPARTURE
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- text
- CHAPTER XXII.
THE CONSUL’S DEPARTURE
During the scenes just described, Doctor Johnson was engaged in
examining the sick, of whom, as it turned out, all but two were to
remain in the ship. He had evidently received his cue from Wilson.
One of the last called below into the cabin, just as the quarter-deck
gathering dispersed, I came on deck quite incensed. My lameness, which,
to tell the truth, was now much better, was put down as, in a great
measure, affected; and my name was on the list of those who would be
fit for any duty in a day or two. This was enough. As for Doctor Long
Ghost, the shore physician, instead of extending to him any
professional sympathy, had treated him very cavalierly. To a certain
extent, therefore, we were now both bent on making common cause with
the sailors.
I must explain myself here. All we wanted was to have the ship snugly
anchored in Papeetee Bay; entertaining no doubt that, could this be
done, it would in some way or other peaceably lead to our emancipation.
Without a downright mutiny, there was but one way to accomplish this:
to induce the men to refuse all further duty, unless it were to work
the vessel in. The only difficulty lay in restraining them within
proper bounds. Nor was it without certain misgivings, that I found
myself so situated, that I must necessarily link myself, however
guardedly, with such a desperate company; and in an enterprise, too, of
which it was hard to conjecture what might be the result. But anything
like neutrality was out of the question; and unconditional submission
was equally so.
On going forward, we found them ten times more tumultuous than ever.
After again restoring some degree of tranquillity, we once more urged
our plan of quietly refusing duty, and awaiting the result. At first,
few would hear of it; but in the end, a good number were convinced by
our representations. Others held out. Nor were those who thought with
us in all things to be controlled.
Upon Wilson’s coming on deck to enter his boat, he was beset on all
sides; and, for a moment, I thought the ship would be seized before his
very eyes.
“Nothing more to say to you, men: my arrangements are made. Go forward,
where you belong. I’ll take no insolence;” and, in a tremor, Wilson
hurried over the side in the midst of a volley of execrations.
Shortly after his departure, the mate ordered the cook and steward into
his boat; and saying that he was going to see how the captain did, left
us, as before, under the charge of Bembo.
At this time we were lying becalmed, pretty close in with the land
(having gone about again), our main-topsail flapping against the mast
with every roll.
The departure of the consul and Jermin was followed by a scene
absolutely indescribable. The sailors ran about deck like madmen;
Bembo, all the while leaning against the taff-rail by himself, smoking
his heathenish stone pipe, and never interfering.
The cooper, who that morning had got himself into a fluid of an
exceedingly high temperature, now did his best to regain the favour of
the crew. “Without distinction of party,” he called upon all hands to
step up, and partake of the contents of his bucket.
But it was quite plain that, before offering to intoxicate others, he
had taken the wise precaution of getting well tipsy himself. He was now
once more happy in the affection of his shipmates, who, one and all,
pronounced him sound to the kelson.
The Pisco soon told; and, with great difficulty, we restrained a party
in the very act of breaking into the after-hold in pursuit of more. All
manner of pranks were now played.
“Mast-head, there! what d’ye see?” bawled Beauty, hailing the
main-truck through an enormous copper funnel. “Stand by for stays,”
roared Flash Jack, bawling off with the cook’s axe, at the fastening of
the main-stay. “Looky out for ’quails!” shrieked the Portuguese,
Antone, darting a handspike through the cabin skylight. And “Heave
round cheerly, men,” sung out Navy Bob, dancing a hornpipe on the
forecastle.
- title
- CHAPTER XXII.
THE CONSUL’S DEPARTURE