He was sitting in the hood very comfortably, but said he (after we had got on board the ship) when the boat turned back, I thought I was to be left, and opened my knife which 1 had slung around my neck, and if I had seen the ship make sail, it was my determination to have cut my throat, and thus end my misery at once. During all this time, the captain was raving about like a madman, cursing everybody and everything. He behaved in a most disgusting manner. This man, whom wo had just rescued, and whose name was Smith, proved to bo a consuinmate villain, which fact I shall have occasion to refer to at another time.
As I was observing about our rotten ship, — it was true that the ship was in no immediate danger by this discovery; although it might materially affect the voyage; if it was thought necessary to go back or even to wait long enough in a foreign port for the required repairs. I saw at once that much devolved on me, and must confess that, although I did not like the captain, yet wished to show him that notwithstanding his abuse, I had sufficient pride to let him see that I was somebodv, and told him that if I could have the two boys that I should select, and as we were now in the S. E. trades, and in all probability should have good weather, that with the oak plank, and other materials of which we had plenty on board, I could repair the ship on the passage.
With this he seemed much pleased, and told me to take as many men as I required, and Mr. Leach, or Mr. Lee (second mate,) would assist in any way they could. I requested Mr. Leach to get the larboard anchor aft out of my way, and the first thing to be done by me was to fit up a steam box, as the plank must all be bent. This I had no difficulty in doing, as there were pine plank enough among my load of lumber, that were just suitable. My pitch pot made an excellent steam kettle. The steam box was rigged across the windlass, and well secured, all things belonging to the steam department were fixed up in good shape.
Next morning we turned to, took up the cathead, (beginning on the larboard side,) witli the bow rail, and commenced ripping down; and sure enough, it was a bed of rot. My boys wrought like good fellows; we had no ten hour system, but kept at it from daylight until dark. We had plenty of old spars for timbers, and luckily plenty of tools, as I had taken my own tool chest on board. Our greatest trouble was in working on the outside stage, both on account of losing tools overboard, and of holding on when the ship rolled. All these apparent difficulties were overcome, and in eleven days the larboard bow was repaired in a thorough manner, as far aft as the fore part of the fore rigging, inside and out.
We then commenced upon the other bow, which required a few more days' work, as there was rather more rot than on the other side. And when we had completed these repairs, there was not oak plank enough left to make a cleet, nor spikes enough to fasten it on. Oakum, pitch, and in fact, all that was put on board was used up. I suffered much from thirst as we were very foolishly on allowance of water, when we had the between-deeks entirely empty, and could have earned an abundant supply. I have lain nearly all night on a water cask with the bung out, and with a horn cup and a string, vainly trying to satisfy my thirst; thus depriving myself of sleep to satisfy a burning drought, as I was not allowed any more water than the others, notwithstanding my work was harder.
I met my two boys in after years and at different times; they were both shipmasters, and enterprising men, were very glad to see the old carpenter, and remembered the advice he gave them when boys. A very unpleasant affair commenced between the passengers and the captain, shortly after we left Boston, which entirely destroyed the harmony of the cabin during the passage to Bombay. While the Missionaries were in Boston, previous to their going on board the ship, their friends had procured for their comfort many things, more particularly designed for the ladies, such as sweetmeats, and preserves of various kinds, tea of an extra quality, and many small articles which probably would not be included in the common bill of fare.