White Wings Vol II. Founding Of The Provinces And Old-Time Shipping. Passenger Ships From 1840 To 1885

Cutlasses And Pistols

Cutlasses And Pistols.

"Monday, July 25.—Last night I had the door of my cabin locked from within. To-day has shown enough to condemn Mr. D. as a madman… The captain thinks it necessary to be on the watch at night for the safety of the passengers. Accordingly he and the doctor remained in the cabin room all night, the captain lying on one sofa with a cutlass at his side, and the doctor on the other with a loaded pistol in his pocket. During the night Mr. D. came out of his cabin several times, but seeing the captain and the doctor peaceably went back to his own room. It is on the whole a curious affair."

"Tuesday, July 26.—I overheard the captain say to-day that unless we got an uncommonly quick passage to the Cape we will be obliged to put in there for water . . The captain wished us all to be present in his cabin this evening, as he wished to take into consideration what ought to be done with D."

An arrangement was come to by which Miss A. went into the D.'s cabin with Mrs. D., and Mr. D. took Miss A.'s room, and after that Mr. D. became "more composed."

The ship crossed the line on the 29th.

"Sunday, July 31.—Mr. and Mrs. A. are very religious young people, and we spend the greater part of Sunday reading sermons and other religious books. I consider myself very fortunate in being placed amongst such pious people. What a comfort it is to lie down at night and place our protection in God after spending the Lord's Day in a becoming manner, compared to allowing it to pass in a careless and wicked way, for I am sorry to say I have spent too many in such a manner. However, since I have crossed the Line from the North to the Southern Hemisphere. I trust that I may by the assistance of God cross the line from a life of wickedness into righteousness, and that all my relations that read this may do the same."

This Miss A. was good looking, and the diarist has something uncomplimentary to say later on concerning one of the cabin passengers who took a great interest in religion and her at the same time.