In the mean time Mr. Newell had come to the landing-place with a carriage, went on board the ship, and to his surprise learned that Miss Thurston had been gone two hours with the captain; lie also expressed much surprise at not meeting them on the road, and appeared much disappointed. The sailors now began to make remarks very freely, and of course the transactions of the voyage soon became known on shore, and as a matter of course reached the ear of Mr. Newell, from a quarter which gave him much uneasiness. I afterwards learned that the whole matter was investigated, and that Miss Thurston was fully exonerated from any impropriety, or the smallest deviation from the character so indispensably necessary for one shortly to become the wife of a Missionary of so exalted a character as that of the Kev Mr.
Newell. This affair created much excitement among the well-disposed at Bombay, while at the same time it caused some merriment among the low and vulgar. The captain was generally despised by every one, and we believe was entirely without associates. Mr. Newell was highly indignant at the treatment of Miss Thurston; but what could he°do? A law suit would involve him in much perplexity and expense, so he gave it up, and let the fellow run. Had the passengers been any other than non-resistant missionaries, he would not have dared these cowardly insults. But he got his reward, for on his next voyage he died of a loathsome disease, unattended, unlamented and unmourned. Mr. Lee (second mate,) and myself went up to the Mission house, and were well received by our friends, and passed a very agreeable afternoon together.
Miss Thurston was to be married in a few days, and everything appeared pleasant. On the second night after our arrival, we came very near having a fearful tragedy enacted upon our deck. Before we had come to an anchor, the ship was surrounded with boats, filled with numerous characters offering their services in any capacity, and among them several bomb boats, each man having a bundle of certificates from the last ship, testifying to his honesty and fidelity, and at the same time the £rreates"t scoundrel on earth. The fellow that gets on board firs? claims the ship. The successful candidate for our custom was Franjee-Nabob, a Parsee, "with all ting to sell to the seamen." The captain called him aft, and in the most peremptory manner forbade him selling the men any intoxicating liquors, or of trusting them one pice, (a cent,) as he should not advance them a farthing.
Old Franjee understood the matter, having had such interdictions before; he made his salaam, and very meekly responded: " No, sir!" As soon as the captain had gone over the side into his boat the old Parsee bomb boat man went forward among the men, and told them what orders he had received. " But," said he, "no much matter for dat. I trust you just hoiv much you want. 'Spose you want 'rack, (rum.) I give you much you want I got plenty in my boat now. I bring 'em up.,} This was good news for Jack. They soon had a fine treat out of all the good things that the shore afforded, availing themselves of this unlimited hill of credit.
There were then lying in the harbor with us, three American vessels, two ships and a brig. The crews of these vessels, or rather the number that could he spared, came on board our ship, on what was no doubt intended as a friendly visit, and it would have been such, and ended well, if it had not been for that accursed crazy liquor called arack, made from the cocoa-nut, more maddening in its influence than any other intoxicating drink on earth. Our crew had been apprised of the intended visit, and had provided large quantities of grog for the occasion. At about 9 o'clock P. M., they had become very noisy. Here were our own crew, eighteen, and twenty-four of the others, making in all forty-two, trying to sing, and bellowing out in a most frightful manner.
Mr. Leach went forward and sung out to them below that it was time for them to go on board their ships. He was answered by a most insolent and indecent reply from one of our own crew. Mr. L. was a kind hearted and gentlemanly officer, and such an answer from one of our own men, who had always received good treatment and kind words from him, deserved severe punishment. Mr. L. came aft; there were the three mates, boatswain and myself, on the quarter-deck. Mr. Lee, the second mate, was a tall, raw-boned fellow, and very powerful. He wished Mr. Leach to let him go forward and order them to go on board their ships. Mr. L. thought he would wait a little longer, when probably they would go of their own accord.