- end_line
- 8658
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T20:48:14.842Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 8598
- text
- the obligation to continue the wages of their seamen, when they have
little or no work to employ them, and from the necessity of boarding
them ashore, like lords, at their leisure, captains interested in the
ownership of their vessels, are not at all indisposed to let their
sailors abscond, if they please, and thus forfeit their money; for they
well know that, when wanted, a new crew is easily to be procured,
through the crimps of the port.
Though he spake English with fluency, and from his long service in the
vessels of New York, was almost an American to behold, yet Captain Riga
was in fact a Russian by birth, though this was a fact that he strove
to conceal. And though extravagant in his personal expenses, and even
indulging in luxurious habits, costly as Oriental dissipation, yet
Captain Riga was a niggard to others; as, indeed, was evinced in the
magnificent stipend of three dollars, with which he requited my own
valuable services. Therefore, as it was agreed between Harry and me,
that he should offer to ship as a _“boy,”_ at the same rate of
compensation with myself, I made no doubt that, incited by the
cheapness of the bargain, Captain Riga would gladly close with him; and
thus, instead of paying sixteen dollars a month to a thorough-going
tar, who would consume all his rations, buy up my young blade of Bury,
at the rate of half a dollar a week; with the cheering prospect, that
by the end of the voyage, his fastidious palate would be the means of
leaving a handsome balance of salt beef and pork in the _harness-cask._
With part of the money obtained by the sale of a few of his velvet
vests, Harry, by my advice, now rigged himself in a Guernsey frock and
man-of-war browsers; and thus equipped, he made his appearance, one
fine morning, on the quarterdeck of the Highlander, gallantly doffing
his virgin tarpaulin before the redoubtable Riga.
No sooner were his wishes made known, than I perceived in the captain’s
face that same bland, benevolent, and bewitchingly merry expression,
that had so charmed, but deceived me, when, with Mr. Jones, I had first
accosted him in the cabin.
Alas, Harry! thought I,—as I stood upon the forecastle looking astern
where they stood,—that _“gallant, gay deceiver”_ shall not altogether
cajole you, if Wellingborough can help it. Rather than that should be
the case, indeed, I would forfeit the pleasure of your society across
the Atlantic.
At this interesting interview the captain expressed a sympathetic
concern touching the sad necessities, which he took upon himself to
presume must have driven Harry to sea; he confessed to a warm interest
in his future welfare; and did not hesitate to declare that, in going
to America, under such circumstances, to seek his fortune, he was
acting a manly and spirited part; and that the voyage thither, as a
sailor, would be an invigorating preparative to the landing upon a
shore, where he must battle out his fortune with Fate.
He engaged him at once; but was sorry to say, that he could not provide
him a home on board till the day previous to the sailing of the ship;
and during the interval, he could not honor any drafts upon the
strength of his wages.
However, glad enough to conclude the agreement upon any terms at all,
my young blade of Bury expressed his satisfaction; and full of
admiration at so urbane and gentlemanly a sea-captain, he came forward
to receive my congratulations.
- title
- Chunk 3