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- 11405
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T20:48:15.153Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 11337
- text
- a sort of collateral evidence against us. For, curiously enough, an
American sailor is generally distinguished by his red frock; and an
English tar by his blue one: thus reversing the national colours. The
circumstance was pointed out by the captain; and we quickly explained
the anomaly. But, in vain: he seemed inveterately prejudiced against
us; and, in particular, eyed the doctor most distrustfully.
By way of propping the tatter’s pretensions, I was throwing out a hint
concerning Kentucky, as a land of tall men, when our Vine-yarder turned
away abruptly, and desired to hear nothing more. It was evident that he
took Long Ghost for an exceedingly problematical character.
Perceiving this, I resolved to see what a private interview would do.
So, one afternoon, I found the captain smoking a pipe in the dwelling
of a portly old native—one Mai-Mai—who, for a reasonable compensation,
did the honours of Partoowye to illustrious strangers.
His guest had just risen from a sumptuous meal of baked pig and taro
pudding; and the remnants of the repast were still visible. Two reeking
bottles, also, with their necks wrenched off, lay upon the mat. All
this was encouraging; for, after a good dinner, one feels affluent and
amiable, and peculiarly open to conviction. So, at all events, I found
the noble Vineyarder.
I began by saying that I called for the purpose of setting him right
touching certain opinions of his concerning the place of my nativity:—I
was an American—thank heaven!—and wanted to convince him of the fact.
After looking me in the eye for some time, and, by so doing, revealing
an obvious unsteadiness in his own visual organs, he begged me to reach
forth my arm. I did so; wondering what upon earth that useful member
had to do with the matter in hand.
He placed his fingers upon my wrist; and holding them there for a
moment, sprang to his feet, and, with much enthusiasm, pronounced me a
Yankee, every beat of my pulse!
“Here, Mai-Mai!” he cried, “another bottle!” And, when it came, with
one stroke of a knife, he summarily beheaded it, and commanded me to
drain it to the bottom. He then told me that if I would come on board
his vessel the following morning, I would find the ship’s articles on
the cabin transom.
This was getting along famously. But what was to become of the doctor?
I forthwith made an adroit allusion to my long friend. But it was worse
than useless. The Vineyarder swore he would have nothing to do with
him—he (my long friend) was a “bird” from Sydney, and nothing would
make him (the man of little faith) believe otherwise.
I could not help loving the free-hearted captain; but indignant at this
most unaccountable prejudice against my comrade, I abruptly took leave.
Upon informing the doctor of the result of the interview, he was
greatly amused; and laughingly declared that the Vineyarder must be a
penetrating fellow. He then insisted upon my going to sea in the ship,
since he well knew how anxious I was to leave. As for himself, on
second thoughts, he was no sailor; and although “lands—’ men” very
often compose part of a whaler’s crew, he did not quite relish the idea
of occupying a position so humble. In short, he had made up his mind to
tarry awhile in Imeeo.
I turned the matter over: and at last decided upon quitting the island.
The impulse urging me to sea once more, and the prospect of eventually
reaching home, were too much to be resisted; especially as the
Leviathan, so comfortable a craft, was now bound on her last whaling
cruise, and, in little more than a year’s time, would be going round
Cape Horn.
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