These were in addition to the articles which have been named before. At the commencement of the voyage, the captain suggested to them that as their stores were many of them of a perishable nature, that they had better be used in common and when they were used up, then he would commence on his own. To "this they cheerfully consented of course, supposing his judgment to be superior to their own. So their chickens and ducks were killed, and their vegetables eaten, and everything went on first rate. The unmarried young lady (Miss Thurston,) was rather handsome, and very prepossessing in her general deportment, and it was said that the captain had, previous to our sailing, made some indecent allusions to certain intentions during the voyage.
We had not been long at sea before it was apparent that all was not right in the cabin. One of the gentlemen with whom I was on intimate terms, in conversation one evening, while leaning over the weather rail amidships, intimated to me in a verylow voice, that their situation was rendered extremely unhappy through the counduct of the captain, but he hoped that strength would be given them to endure it until they reached their destination. I asked him what the trouble was. He then told me that the captain had insulted Miss Thurston, and confined her to her state-room, and that at some better opportunity he would tell me more about it, as the captain was now watching us, evidently suspecting tho nature of our conversation.
The captain had prohibited service being held on deck upon the Sabbath. They seldom left their rooms during the day, but would come up in the evening, and take a seat on the lee side of the quarter-deck, avoiding the captain as they would a rattlesnake. I bade Mr. N o, good night. After we had separated, " the old man " called me aft, and says: " What do you think of these fellows that we have on board? " " What fellows, sir?" "Why, these Missionary devils." " Well, sir, from what I have seen of them, I think them to be verv good people." "You do, hey?" "Yes sir." " Well, they are a set of scoundrels, and that little strumpet, ( Miss Thurston,) I mean to turn her down among the men." I was thunderstruck.
" Why, Capt. ■, what do you mean, sir?" " I mean what I say." He then turned round and walked aft. The steward had previously told me that the captain had forbidden him giving them anything but salt beef and bread; also, had ordered the molasses to be removed where they could not get it. They generally took their meals by themselves; sometimes the mate would dine with them, but very seldom, although they were on friendly terms. Notwithstanding, he was accused hy the captain of going into Miss Thurston's room during his watch at night. The captain had his meals served at another hour. I asked the steward how it was that they were obliged to live on salt beef, when they were so amply supplied by their friends previous to sailing.
The steward's reply was, " that at the commencement of the voyage, the captain suggested that it would be better to have all as one common stock while it lasted, and then he would supply the table from his own; so all the chickens were used up, while his remained in the coop. And now they were not allowed anything but what I have before stated. I had often noticed that after the passengers had dined, the captain's dinner, consisting of chicken and a nice pudding, would be sent to the cabin. Both mates dined at the table d' hote with the passengers. The orio-in of the trouble, I found out in the following manner: One very warm night, W.
G d, the third mate, after the watch had been called at eight o'clock, it being his watch below, got into the stern boat under the tarpaulin to sleep there, rather than go below, as it was very warm. Shortly after he had ov>t into the boat, W. and Mrs. Graves, the two eldest of the Missionaries, accompanied by Miss Thurston, took their seat on the taffrail, very close to where W. G d was. and where he could distinctly hear all they said. Mrs. Graves commenced the conversation as follow*: " Now Philomela, as we have a good opportunity to converse by ourselves, I wish to open my heart to you. We have observed, with much pain, the familiarities and liberties the eaptain frequently takes with you.