Speakinggenerally，thereisnoviceofthiskindmorecontemptiblethananother；foreachisbutaresultandoutwardsignofasoultragicallyship—wrecked。Inthemajorityofcases，cheappleasureisresortedtobywayofanodyne。Thepleasure—seekersetsforthuponlifewithhighanddifficultambitions；hemeanttobenoblygoodandnoblyhappy，thoughataslittlepainsaspossibletohimself；anditisbecauseallhasfailedinhiscelestialenterprisethatyounowbeholdhimrollinginthegarbage。Hencethecomparativesuccessoftheteetotalpledge；becausetoamanwhohadnothingitsetsatleastanegativeaiminlife。Somewhatasprisonersbeguiletheirdaysbytamingaspider，thereformeddrunkardmakesaninterestoutofabstainingfromintoxicatingdrinks，andmayliveforthatnegation。Thereissomething，atleast，NOTTOBEDONEeachday；andacoldtriumphawaitshimeveryevening。
Wehadoneonboardwithus，whomIhavealreadyreferredtounderthenameMackay，whoseemedtomenotonlyagoodinstanceofthisfailureinlifeofwhichwehavebeenspeaking，butagoodtypeoftheintelligencewhichheresurroundedme。PhysicallyhewasasmallScotsman，standingalittlebackasthoughhewerealreadycarryingtheelementsofacorporation，andhislookssomewhatmarredbythesmallnessofhiseyes。Mentally，hewasendowedabovetheaverage。
Therewerebutfewsubjectsonwhichhecouldnotconversewithunderstandingandadashofwit；deliveringhimselfslowlyandwithgustolikeamanwhoenjoyedhisownsententiousness。Hewasadry，quick，pertinentdebater，speakingwithasmallvoice，andswingingonhisheelstolaunchandemphasiseanargument。Whenhebeganadiscussion，hecouldnotbeartoleaveitoff，butwouldpickthesubjecttothebone，withoutoncerelinquishingapoint。Anengineerbytrade，Mackaybelievedintheunlimitedperfectibilityofallmachinesexceptthehumanmachine。Thelatterhegaveupwithridiculeforacompoundofcarrionandperversegases。HehadanappetitefordisconnectedfactswhichIcanonlycomparetothesavagetasteforbeads。Whatiscalledinformationwasindeedapassionwiththeman，andhenotonlydelightedtoreceiveit，butcouldpayyoubackinkind。
Withallthesecapabilities，herewasMackay，alreadynolongeryoung，onhiswaytoanewcountry，withnoprospects，nomoney，andbutlittlehope。Hewasalmosttediousinthecynicaldisclosuresofhisdespair。’Theshipmaygodownforme，’hewouldsay，’noworto—morrow。Ihavenothingtoloseandnothingtohope。’Andagain：
’Iamsickofthewholedamnedperformance。’Hewas，likethekindlittleman，alreadyquoted，anotherso—calledvictimofthebottle。
ButMackaywasmilesfrompublishinghisweaknesstotheworld；laidtheblameofhisfailureoncorruptmastersandacorruptStatepolicy；andafterhehadbeenonenightovertakenandhadplayedthebuffooninhiscups，sternly，thoughnotwithouttact，suppressedallreferencetohisescapade。Itwasatreattoseehimmanagethis：
thevariousjesterswitheredunderhisgaze，andyouwereforcedtorecogniseinhimacertainsteelyforce，andagiftofcommandwhichmighthaveruledasenate。
Intruthitwasnotwhiskythathadruinedhim；hewasruinedlongbeforeforallgoodhumanpurposesbutconversation。Hiseyesweresealedbyacheap，school—bookmaterialism。Hecouldseenothingintheworldbutmoneyandsteam—engines。Hedidnotknowwhatyoumeantbythewordhappiness。Hehadforgottenthesimpleemotionsofchildhood，andperhapsneverencounteredthedelightsofyouth。Hebelievedinproduction，thatusefulfigmentofeconomy，asifithadbeenreallikelaughter；andproduction，withoutprejudicetoliquor，washisgodandguide。Onedayhetookmetotask—novelcrytome—upontheover—paymentofliterature。Literarymen，hesaid，weremorehighlypaidthanartisans；yettheartisanmadethreshing—
machinesandbutter—churns，andthemanofletters，exceptinthewayofafewusefulhandbooks，madenothingworththewhile。Heproducedamerefancyarticle。Mackay’snotionofabookwasHOPPUS’S
MEASURER。NowinmytimeIhavepossessedandevenstudiedthatwork；butifIweretobeleftto—morrowonJuanFernandez，Hoppus’sisnotthebookthatIshouldchooseformycompanionvolume。
ItriedtofightthepointwithMackay。Imadehimownthathehadtakenpleasureinreadingbooksotherwise，tohisview，insignificant；buthewastoowarytoadvanceastepbeyondtheadmission。Itwasinvainformetoarguethatherewaspleasureready—madeandrunningfromthespring，whereashisploughsandbutter—churnswerebutmeansandmechanismstogivementhenecessaryfoodandleisurebeforetheystartuponthesearchforpleasure；hejibbedandranawayfromsuchconclusions。Thethingwasdifferent，hedeclared，andnothingwasserviceablebutwhathadtodowithfood。’Eat，eat，eat！’hecried；’that’sthebottomandthetop。’
Byanoddironyofcircumstance，hegrewsomuchinterestedinthisdiscussionthatheletthehourslipbyunnoticedandhadtogowithouthistea。Hehadenoughsenseandhumour，indeedhehadnolackofeither，tohavechuckledoverthishimselfinprivate；andeventomehereferredtoitwiththeshadowofasmile。
Mackaywasahotbigot。Hewouldnothearofreligion。Ihaveseenhimwastehoursoftimeinargumentwithallsortsofpoorhumancreatureswhounderstoodneitherhimnorthemselves，andhehadhadtheboyishnesstodissectandcriticiseevensosmallamatterastheriddler’sdefinitionofmind。Hesnortedaloudwithzealotryandthelustforintellectualbattle。Anything，whateveritwas，thatseemedtohimlikelytodiscouragethecontinuedpassionateproductionofcornandsteam—enginesheresentedlikeaconspiracyagainstthepeople。Thus，whenIputinthepleaforliterature，thatitwasonlyingoodbooks，orinthesocietyofthegood，thatamancouldgethelpinhisconduct，hedeclaredIwasinadifferentworldfromhim。’Damnmyconduct！’saidhe。’Ihavegivenitupforabadjob。
Myquestionis，\"CanIdriveanail？\"’Andheplainlylookeduponmeasonewhowasinsidiouslyseekingtoreducethepeople’sannualbellyfulofcornandsteam—engines。
Itmaybearguedthattheseopinionsspringfromthedefectofculture；thatanarrowandpinchingwayoflifenotonlyexaggeratestoamantheimportanceofmaterialconditions，butindirectly，bydenyinghimthenecessarybooksandleisure，keepshismindignorantoflargerthoughts；andthathencespringsthisoverwhelmingconcernaboutdiet，andhencethebaldviewofexistenceprofessedbyMackay。
HadthisbeenanEnglishpeasanttheconclusionwouldbetenable。
ButMackayhadmostoftheelementsofaliberaleducation。Hehadskirtedmetaphysicalandmathematicalstudies。Hehadathoughtfulholdofwhatheknew，whichwouldbeexceptionalamongbankers。Hehadbeenbroughtupinthemidstofhot—housepiety，andtold，withincongruouspride，thestoryofhisownbrother’sdeathbedecstasies。
Yethehadsomehowfailedtofulfilhimself，andwasadriftlikeadeadthingamongexternalcircumstances，withouthopeorlivelypreferenceorshapingaim。Andfurther，thereseemedatendencyamongmanyofhisfellowstofallintothesameblankandunlovelyopinions。Onething，indeed，isnottobelearnedinScotland，andthatisthewaytobehappy。Yetthatisthewholeofculture，andperhapstwo—thirdsofmorality。CanitbethatthePuritanschool，bydivorcingamanfromnature，bythinningouthisinstincts，andsettingastampofitsdisapprovalonwholefieldsofhumanactivityandinterest，leadsatlastdirectlytomaterialgreed？
Natureisagoodguidethroughlife，andtheloveofsimplepleasuresnext，ifnotsuperior，tovirtue；andwehadonboardanIrishmanwhobasedhisclaimtothewidestandmostaffectionatepopularitypreciselyuponthesetwoqualities，thathewasnaturalandhappy。
Heboastedafreshcolour，atightlittlefigure，unquenchablegaiety，andindefatigablegoodwill。Hisclothespuzzledthediagnosticmind，untilyouheardhehadbeenonceaprivatecoachman，whentheybecameeloquentandseemedapartofhisbiography。Hisfacecontainedtherest，and，Ifear，aprophecyofthefuture；thehawk’snoseaboveaccordedsoillwiththepinkbaby’smouthbelow。
Hisspiritandhispridebelonged，youmightsay，tothenose；whileitwasthegeneralshiftlessnessexpressedbytheotherthathadthrownhimfromsituationtosituation，andatlengthonboardtheemigrantship。Barneyate，sotospeak，nothingfromthegalley；hisowntea，butter，andeggssupportedhimthroughoutthevoyage；andaboutmealtimeyoumightoftenfindhimuptotheelbowsinamateurcookery。Hiswasthefirstvoiceheardsingingamongallthepassengers；hewasthefirstwhofelltodancing。FromLochFoyletoSandyHook，therewasnotapieceoffunundertakenbuttherewasBarneyinthemidst。
Yououghttohaveseenhimwhenhestooduptosingatourconcerts—
histightlittlefiguresteppingtoandfro，andhisfeetshufflingtotheair，hiseyesseekingandbestowingencouragement—andtohaveenjoyedthebow，sonicelycalculatedbetweenjestandearnest，betweengraceandclumsiness，withwhichhebroughteachsongtoaconclusion。Hewasnotonlyagreatfavouriteamongourselves，buthissongsattractedthelordsofthesaloon，whooftenleanedtohearhimovertherailsofthehurricane—deck。Hewassomewhatpleased，butnotatallabashed，bythisattention；andonenight，inthemidstofhisfamousperformanceof’BillyKeogh，’Isawhimspinhalfroundinapirouetteandthrowanaudaciouswinktoanoldgentlemanabove。
Thiswasthemorecharacteristic，as，forallhisdaffing，hewasamodestandverypolitelittlefellowamongourselves。
Hewouldnothavehurtthefeelingsofafly，northroughoutthepassagedidhegiveashadowofoffence；yethewasalways，byhisinnocentfreedomsandloveoffun，broughtuponthatnarrowmarginwherepolitenessmustbenaturaltowalkwithoutafall。Hewasonceseriouslyangry，andthatinagrave，quietmanner，becausetheysuppliednofishonFriday；forBarneywasaconscientiousCatholic。
Hehadlikewisestrictnotionsofrefinement；andwhen，lateoneevening，afterthewomenhadretired，ayoungScotsmanstruckupanindecentsong，Barney’sdrabclotheswereimmediatelymissingfromthegroup。Histastewasforthesocietyofgentlemen，ofwhom，withthereader’spermission，therewasnolackinourfivesteeragesandsecondcabin；andheavoidedtheroughandpositivewithagirlishshrinking。Mackay，partlyfromhissuperiorpowersofmind，whichrenderedhimincomprehensible，partlyfromhisextremeopinions，wasespeciallydistastefultotheIrishman。Ihaveseenhimslinkoffwithbackwardlooksofterrorandoffendeddelicacy，whiletheother，inhiswitty，uglyway，hadbeenprofessinghostilitytoGod，andanextremetheatricalreadinesstobeshipwreckedonthespot。Theseutteranceshurtthelittlecoachman’smodestylikeabadword。
THESICKMAN
OnenightJones，theyoungO’Reilly，andmyselfwerewalkingarm—in—
armandbrisklyupanddownthedeck。Sixbellshadrung；ahead—
windblewchillandfitful，thefogwasclosinginwithasprinkleofrain，andthefog—whistlehadbeenturnedon，andnowdividedtimewithitsunwelcomeoutcries，loudlikeabull，thrillingandintenselikeamosquito。Eventhewatchlaysomewheresnuglyoutofsight。
Forsometimeweobservedsomethinglyingblackandhuddledinthescuppers，whichatlastheavedalittleandmoanedaloud。Werantotherails。Anelderlyman，butwhetherpassengerorseamanitwasimpossibleinthedarknesstodetermine，laygrovellingonhisbellyinthewetscuppers，andkickingfeeblywithhisoutspreadtoes。Weaskedhimwhatwasamiss，andherepliedincoherently，withastrangeaccentandinavoiceunmannedbyterror，thathehadcrampinthestomach，thathehadbeenailingallday，hadseenthedoctortwice，andhadwalkedthedeckagainstfatiguetillhewasovermasteredandhadfallenwherewefoundhim。
Jonesremainedbyhisside，whileO’ReillyandIhurriedofftoseekthedoctor。Weknockedinvainatthedoctor’scabin；therecamenoreply；norcouldwefindanyonetoguideus。Itwasnotimefordelicacy；soweranoncemoreforward；andI，whippingupaladderandtouchingmyhattotheofficerofthewatch，addressedhimaspolitelyasIcould—
’Ibegyourpardon，sir；butthereisamanlyingbadwithcrampintheleescuppers；andIcan’tfindthedoctor。’
Helookedatmepeeringlyinthedarkness；andthen，somewhatharshly，’Well，Ican’tleavethebridge，myman，’saidhe。
’No，sir；butyoucantellmewhattodo，’Ireturned。
’Isitoneofthecrew？’heasked。
’Ibelievehimtobeafireman，’Ireplied。
Idaresayofficersaremuchannoyedbycomplaintsandalarmistinformationfromtheirfreightofhumancreatures；butcertainly，whetheritwastheideathatthesickmanwasoneofthecrew，orfromsomethingconciliatoryinmyaddress，theofficerinquestionwasimmediatelyrelievedandmollified；andspeakinginavoicemuchfreerfromconstraint，advisedmetofindastewardanddespatchhiminquestofthedoctor，whowouldnowbeinthesmoking—roomoverhispipe。
Oneofthestewardswasoftenenoughtobefoundaboutthishourdownourcompanion，SteerageNo。2and3；thatwashissmoking—roomofanight。LetmecallhimBlackwood。O’ReillyandIrattleddownthecompanion，breathinghurry；andinhisshirt—sleevesandperchedacrossthecarpentersbenchupononethigh，foundBlackwood；aneat，bright，dapper，Glasgow—lookingman，withabeadofaneyeandaranktwanginhisspeech。Iforgetwhowaswithhim，butthepairwereenjoyingadeliberatetalkovertheirpipes。Idaresayhewastiredwithhisday’swork，andeminentlycomfortableatthatmoment；andthetruthis，Ididnotstoptoconsiderhisfeelings，buttoldmystoryinabreath。
’Steward，’saidI，’there’samanlyingbadwithcramp，andIcan’tfindthedoctor。’
Heturneduponmeaspertasasparrow，butwithablacklookthatistheprerogativeofman；andtakinghispipeoutofhismouth—
’That’snoneofmybusiness，’saidhe。’Idon’tcare。’
Icouldhavestrangledthelittleruffianwherehesat。Thethoughtofhiscabincivilityandcabintipsfilledmewithindignation。I
glancedatO’Reilly；hewaspaleandquivering，andlookedlikeassaultandbattery，everyinchofhim。Butwehadabettercardthanviolence。
’Youwillhavetomakeityourbusiness，’saidI，’forIamsenttoyoubytheofficeronthebridge。’
Blackwoodwasfairlytripped。Hemadenoanswer，butputouthispipe，gavemeonemurderouslook，andsetoffuponhiserrandstrolling。Fromthatdayforward，Ishouldsay，heimprovedtomeincourtesy，asthoughhehadrepentedhisevilspeechandwereanxioustoleaveabetterimpression。
Whenwegotondeckagain，Joneswasstillbesidethesickman；andtwoorthreelatestragglershadgatheredround，andwereofferingsuggestions。Oneproposedtogivethepatientwater，whichwaspromptlynegatived。Anotherbadeusholdhimup；hehimselfprayedtobeletlie；butasitwasatleastaswelltokeephimoffthestreamingdecks，O’ReillyandIsupportedhimbetweenus。Itwasonlybymainforcethatwedidso，andneitheraneasynoranagreeableduty；forhefoughtinhisparoxysmslikeafrightenedchild，andmoanedmiserablywhenheresignedhimselftoourcontrol。
’Oletmelie！’hepleaded。’I’llno’getbetteranyway。’Andthen，withamoanthatwenttomyheart，’OwhydidIcomeuponthismiserablejourney？’
IwasremindedofthesongwhichIhadheardalittlewhilebeforeintheclose，tossingsteerage：’OwhyleftImyhame？’
MeantimeJones，relievedofhisimmediatecharge，hadgoneofftothegalley，wherewecouldseealight。Therehefoundabelatedcookscouringpansbytheradianceoftwolanterns，andoneofthesehesoughttoborrow。Thescullionwasbackward。’Wasitoneofthecrew？’heasked。AndwhenJones，smittenwithmytheory，hadassuredhimthatitwasafireman，hereluctantlylefthisscouringandcametowardsusataneasypace，withoneofthelanternsswingingfromhisfinger。Thelight，asitreachedthespot，showedusanelderlyman，thick—set，andgrizzledwithyears；buttheshiftingandcoarseshadowsconcealedfromustheexpressionandeventhedesignofhisface。
Sosoonasthecookseteyesonhimhegaveasortofwhistle。
’IT’SONLYAPASSENGER！’saidhe；andturningabout，made，lanternandall，forthegalley。
’He’samananyway，’criedJonesinindignation。
’Nobodysaidhewasawoman，’saidagruffvoice，whichIrecognisedforthatofthebo’s’un。
AllthiswhiletherewasnowordofBlackwoodorthedoctor；andnowtheofficercametooursideoftheshipandasked，overthehurricane—deckrails，ifthedoctorwerenotyetcome。Wetoldhimnot。
’No？’herepeatedwithabreathingofanger；andwesawhimhurryaftinperson。
Tenminutesafterthedoctormadehisappearancedeliberatelyenoughandexaminedourpatientwiththelantern。Hemadelittleofthecase，hadthemanbroughtafttothedispensary，dosedhim，andsenthimforwardtohisbunk。Twoofhisneighboursinthesteeragehadnowcometoourassistance，expressingloudsorrowthatsuch’afinecheerybody’shouldbesick；andthese，claimingasortofpossession，tookhimentirelyundertheirowncare。Thedrughadprobablyrelievedhim，forhestrugglednomore，andwasledalongplaintiveandpatient，butprotesting。Hisheartrecoiledatthethoughtofthesteerage。’Oletmeliedownuponthebieldyside，’
hecried；’Odinnatakemedown！’Andagain：’OwhydideverIcomeuponthismiserablevoyage？’Andyetoncemore，withagaspandawailingprolongationofthefourthword：’IhadnoCALLtocome。’
Buttherehewas；andbythedoctor’sordersandthekindforceofhistwoshipmatesdisappeareddownthecompanionofSteerageNo。1
intothedenallottedhim。
Atthefootofourowncompanion，justwhereIfoundBlackwood，Jonesandthebo’s’unwerenowengagedintalk。Thislastwasagruff，cruel—lookingseaman，whomusthavepassednearhalfacenturyupontheseas；square—headed，goat—bearded，withheavyblondeyebrows，andaneyewithoutradiance，butinflexiblysteadyandhard。Ihadnotforgottenhisroughspeech；butIrememberedalsothathehadhelpedusaboutthelantern；andnowseeinghiminconversationwithJones，andbeingchokedwithindignation，Iproceededtoblowoffmysteam。
’Well，’saidI，’Imakeyoumycomplimentsuponyoursteward，’andfuriouslynarratedwhathadhappened。
’I’venothingtodowithhim，’repliedthebo’s’un。’They’reallalike。Theywouldn’tmindiftheysawyoualllyingdeadoneuponthetopofanother。’
Thiswasenough。Averylittlehumanitywentalongwaywithmeaftertheexperienceoftheevening。Asympathygrewupatoncebetweenthebo’s’unandmyself；andthatnight，andduringthenextfewdays，Ilearnedtoappreciatehimbetter。Hewasaremarkabletype，andnotatallthekindofmanyoufindinbooks。HehadbeenatSebastopolunderEnglishcolours；andagaininaStatesship，’aftertheALABAMA，andprayingGodweshouldn’tfindher。’HewasahighToryandahighEnglishman。Nomanufacturercouldhaveheldopinionsmorehostiletotheworkingmanandhisstrikes。’Theworkmen，’hesaid，’thinknothingoftheircountry。Theythinkofnothingbutthemselves。They’redamnedgreedy，selfishfellows。’HewouldnothearofthedecadenceofEngland。’TheysaytheysendusbeeffromAmerica，’heargued；’butwhopaysforit？Allthemoneyintheworld’sinEngland。’TheRoyalNavywasthebestofpossibleservices，accordingtohim。’Anywaytheofficersaregentlemen，’
saidhe；’andyoucan’tgethazedtodeathbyadamnednon—
commissioned—asyoucaninthearmy。’Amongnations，Englandwasthefirst；thencameFrance。HerespectedtheFrenchnavyandlikedtheFrenchpeople；andifhewereforcedtomakeanewchoiceinlife，’byGod，hewouldtryFrenchmen！’Forallhislooksandrough，coldmanners，Iobservedthatchildrenwereneverfrightenedbyhim；
theydivinedhimatoncetobeafriend；andonenightwhenhehadchalkedhishandandclothes，itwasincongruoustohearthisformidableoldsaltchucklingoverhisboyishmonkeytrick。
Inthemorning，myfirstthoughtwasofthesickman。IwasafraidI
shouldnotrecognisehim，bafflinghadbeenthelightofthelantern；
andfoundmyselfunabletodecideifhewereScots，English，orIrish。Hehadcertainlyemployednorth—countrywordsandelisions；
buttheaccentandthepronunciationseemedunfamiliarandincongruousinmyear。
TodescendonanemptystomachintoSteerageNo。1，wasanadventurethatrequiredsomenerve。Thestenchwasatrocious；eachrespirationtastedinthethroatlikesomehorriblekindofcheese；andthesqualidaspectoftheplacewasaggravatedbysomanypeoplewormingthemselvesintotheirclothesintwilightofthebunks。YoumayguessifIwaspleased，notonlyforhim，butformyselfalso，whenI
heardthatthesickmanwasbetterandhadgoneondeck。
Themorningwasrawandfoggy，thoughthesunsuffusedthefogwithpinkandamber；thefog—hornstillblew，stertorousandintermittent；
andtoaddtothediscomfort，theseamenwerejustbeginningtowashdownthedecks。Butforasickmanthiswasheavencomparedtothesteerage。Ifoundhimstandingonthehot—waterpipe，justforwardofthesaloondeckhouse。HewassmallerthanIhadfancied，andplain—looking；buthisfacewasdistinguishedbystrangeandfascinatingeyes，limpidgreyfromadistance，but，whenlookedinto，fullofchangingcoloursandgrainsofgold。Hismannersweremildanduncompromisinglyplain；andIsoonsawthat，whenoncestarted，hedelightedtotalk。Hisaccentandlanguagehadbeenformedinthemostnaturalway，sincehewasborninIreland，hadlivedaquarterofacenturyonthebanksofTyne，andwasmarriedtoaScotswife。
Afishermanintheseason，hehadfishedtheeastcoastfromFisherrowtoWhitby。Whentheseasonwasover，andthegreatboats，whichrequiredextrahands，wereoncedrawnuponshoretillthenextspring，heworkedasalaboureraboutchemicalfurnaces，oralongthewharvesunloadingvessels。Inthiscomparativelyhumblewayoflifehehadgatheredacompetence，andcouldspeakofhiscomfortablehouse，hishayfield，andhisgarden。Onthisship，wheresomanyaccomplishedartisanswerefleeingfromstarvation，hewaspresentonapleasuretriptovisitabrotherinNewYork。
Erehestarted，heinformedme，hehadbeenwarnedagainstthesteerageandthesteeragefare，andrecommendedtobringwithhimahamandteaandaspiceloaf。Buthelaughedtoscornsuchcounsels。
’I’mnotafraid，’hehadtoldhisadviser；’I’llgetonfortendays。
I’venotbeenafishermanfornothing。’Foritisnolightmatter，asheremindedme，tobeinanopenboat，perhapswaist—deepwithherrings，daybreakingwithascowl，andformilesoneveryhandlee—
shores，unbroken，iron—bound，surf—beat，withonlyhereandthereananchoragewhereyoudarenotlie，oraharbourimpossibletoenterwiththewindthatblows。ThelifeofaNorthSeafisherisonelongchapterofexposureandhardworkandinsufficientfare；andevenifhemakeslandatsomebleakfisherport，perhapstheseasonisbadorhisboathasbeenunluckyandafterfiftyhours’unsleepingvigilanceandtoil，notashopwillgivehimcreditforaloafofbread。Yetthesteerageoftheemigrantshiphadbeentoovilefortheenduranceofamanthusrudelytrained。Hehadscarceeatensincehecameonboard，untilthedaybefore，whenhisappetitewastemptedbysomeexcellentpea—soup。Wewereallmuchofthesamemindonboard，andbeginningwithmyself，haddineduponpea—soupnotwiselybuttoowell；onlywithhimtheexcesshadbeenpunished，perhapsbecausehewasweakenedbyformerabstinence，andhisfirstmealhadresultedinacramp。Hehaddeterminedtolivehenceforthonbiscuit；andwhen，twomonthslater，heshouldreturntoEngland，tomakethepassagebysaloon。Thesecondcabin，afterdueinquiry，hescoutedasanothereditionofthesteerage。
Hespokeapologeticallyofhisemotionwhenill。’Yesee，Ihadnocalltobehere，’saidhe；’andIthoughtitwasbywithmelastnight。I’veagoodhouseathome，andplentytonurseme，andIhadnorealcalltoleavethem。’Speakingoftheattentionshehadreceivedfromhisshipmatesgenerally，’theywereallsokind，’hesaid，’thatthere’snonetomention。’AndexceptinsofarasI
mightshareinthis，hetroubledmewithnoreferencetomyservices。
Butwhataffectedmeinthemostlivelymannerwasthewealthofthisday—labourer，payingatwomonths’pleasurevisittotheStates，andpreparingtoreturninthesaloon，andthenewtestimonyrenderedbyhisstory，notsomuchtothehorrorsofthesteerageastothehabitualcomfortoftheworkingclasses。Onefoggy，frostyDecemberevening，IencounteredonLibertonHill，nearEdinburgh，anIrishlabourertrudginghomewardfromthefields。Ourroadslaytogether，anditwasnaturalthatweshouldfallintotalk。Hewascoveredwithmud；aninoffensive，ignorantcreature，whothoughttheAtlanticCablewasasecretcontrivanceofthemastersthebettertooppresslabouringmankind；andIconfessIwasastonishedtolearnthathehadnearlythreehundredpoundsinthebank。Butthismanhadtravelledovermostoftheworld，andenjoyedwonderfulopportunitiesonsomeAmericanrailroad，withtwodollarsashiftanddoublepayonSundayandatnight；whereasmyfellow—passengerhadneverquittedTyneside，andhadmadeallthathepossessedinthatsameaccursed，down—fallingEngland，whenceskilledmechanics，engineers，millwrights，andcarpenterswerefleeingasfromthenativecountryofstarvation。
Fitlyenough，weslidoffonthesubjectofstrikesandwagesandhardtimes。BeingfromtheTyne，andamanwhohadgainedandlostinhisownpocketbythesefluctuations，hehadmuchtosay，andheldstrongopinionsonthesubject。Hespokesharplyofthemasters，and，whenIledhimon，ofthemenalso。Themastershadbeenselfishandobstructive，themenselfish，silly，andlight—headed。
Herehearsedtomethecourseofameetingatwhichhehadbeenpresent，andthesomewhatlongdiscoursewhichhehadtherepronounced，callingintoquestionthewisdomandeventhegoodfaithoftheUniondelegates；andalthoughhehadescapedhimselfthroughflushtimesandstarvationtimeswithahandsomelyprovidedpurse，hehadsolittlefaithineithermanormaster，andsoprofoundaterrorfortheunerringNemesisofmercantileaffairs，thathecouldthinkofnohopeforourcountryoutsideofasuddenandcompletepoliticalsubversion。DownmustgoLordsandChurchandArmy；andcapital，bysomehappydirection，mustchangehandsfromworsetobetter，orEnglandstoodcondemned。Suchprinciples，hesaid，weregrowing’likeaseed。’
Fromthismild，soft，domesticman，thesewordssoundedunusuallyominousandgrave。Ihadheardenoughrevolutionarytalkamongmyworkmenfellow—passengers；butmostofitwashotandturgid，andfelldiscreditedfromthelipsofunsuccessfulmen。Thismanwascalm；hehadattainedprosperityandease；hedisapprovedthepolicywhichhadbeenpursuedbylabourinthepast；andyetthiswashispanacea，—torendtheoldcountryfromendtoend，andfromtoptobottom，andinclamourandcivildiscordremodelitwiththehandofviolence。
THESTOWAWAYS
OntheSunday，amongapartyofmenwhoweretalkinginourcompanion，SteerageNo。2and3，weremarkedanewfigure。Heworetweedclothes，wellenoughmadeifnotveryfresh，andaplainsmoking—cap。Hisfacewaspale，withpaleeyes，andspiritedlyenoughdesigned；butthoughnotyetthirty，asortofblackguardlydegenerationhadalreadyovertakenhisfeatures。Thefinenosehadgrownfleshytowardsthepoint，thepaleeyesweresunkinfat。Hishandswerestrongandelegant；hisexperienceoflifeevidentlyvaried；hisspeechfullofpithandverve；hismannersforward，butperfectlypresentable。Theladwhohelpedinthesecondcabintoldme，inanswertoaquestion，thathedidnotknowwhohewas，butthought，’byhiswayofspeaking，andbecausehewassopolite，thathewassomeonefromthesaloon。’
Iwasnotsosure，fortometherewassomethingequivocalinhisairandbearing。Hemighthavebeen，Ithought，thesonofsomegoodfamilywhohadfallenearlyintodissipationandrunfromhome。But，makingeveryallowance，howadmirablewashistalk！Iwishyoucouldhaveheardhin，tellhisownstories。Theyweresoswinginglysetforth，insuchdramaticlanguage，andillustratedhereandtherebysuchluminousbitsofacting，thattheycouldonlyloseinanyreproduction。ThereweretalesoftheP。andO。Company，wherehehadbeenanofficer；oftheEastIndies，whereinformeryearshehadlivedlavishly；oftheRoyalEngineers，wherehehadservedforaperiod；andofadozenothersidesoflife，eachintroducingsomevigorousthumb—nailportrait。Hehadthetalktohimselfthatnight，wewereallsogladtolisten。Thebesttalkersusuallyaddressthemselvestosomeparticularsociety；theretheyarekings，elsewherecamp—followers，asamanmayknowRussianandyetbeignorantofSpanish；butthisfellowhadafrank，headlongpowerofstyle，andabroad，humanchoiceofsubject，thatwouldhaveturnedanycircleintheworldintoacircleofhearers。HewasaHomerictalker，plain，strong，andcheerful；andthethingsandthepeopleofwhichhespokebecamereadilyandclearlypresenttothemindsofthosewhoheardhim。This，withacertainaddedcolouringofrhetoricandrodomontade，musthavebeenthestyleofBurns，whoequallycharmedtheearsofduchessesandhostlers。
Yetfreelyandpersonallyashespoke，manypointsremainedobscureinhisnarration。TheEngineers，forinstance，wasaservicewhichhepraisedhighly；itistruetherewouldbetroublewiththesergeants；butthentheofficersweregentlemen，andhisown，inparticular，oneamongtenthousand。Itsoundedsofarexactlylikeanepisodeintherakish，topsy—turvylifeofsuchanoneasIhadimagined。Butthentherecameincidentsmoredoubtful，whichshowedanalmostimpudentgreedaftergratuities，andatrulyimpudentdisregardfortruth。Andthentherewasthetaleofhisdeparture。
Hehadwearied，itseems，ofWoolwich，andonefineday，withacompanion，slippeduptoLondonforaspree。Ihaveasuspicionthatspreewasmeanttobealongone；butGoddisposesallthings；andonemorning，nearWestminsterBridge，whomshouldhecomeacrossbuttheverysergeantwhohadrecruitedhimatfirst！Whatfollowed？Hehimselfindicatedcavalierlythathehadthenresigned。Letusputitso。Buttheseresignationsaresometimesverytrying。
Atlength，afterhavingdelightedusforhours，hetookhimselfawayfromthecompanion；andIcouldaskMackaywhoandwhathewas。
’That？’saidMackay。’Why，that’soneofthestowaways。’
’Noman，’saidthesameauthority，’whohashadanythingtodowiththesea，wouldeverthinkofpayingforapassage。’IgivethestatementasMackay’s，withoutendorsement；yetIamtemptedtobelievethatitcontainsagrainoftruth；andifyouaddthatthemanshallbeimpudentandthievish，orelsedead—broke，itmayevenpassforafairrepresentationofthefacts。WegentlemenofEnglandwholiveathomeateasehave，Isuspect，veryinsufficientideasonthesubject。Alltheworldover，peoplearestowingawayincoal—
holesanddarkcorners，andwhenshipsareonceouttosea，appearingagain，begrimedandbashful，upondeck。Thecareerofthesesea—
trampspartakeslargelyoftheadventurous。Theymaybepoisonedbycoal—gas，ordiebystarvationintheirplaceofconcealment；orwhenfoundtheymaybeclappedatonceandignominiouslyintoirons，thustobecarriedtotheirpromisedland，theportofdestination，andalas！broughtbackinthesamewaytothatfromwhichtheystarted，andtheredeliveredovertothemagistratesandtheseclusionofacountyjail。SinceIcrossedtheAtlantic，onemiserablestowawaywasfoundinadyingstateamongthefuel，utteredbutawordortwo，anddepartedforafarthercountrythanAmerica。
Whenthestowawayappearsondeck，hehasbutonethingtoprayfor：
thathebesettowork，whichisthepriceandsignofhisforgiveness。Afterhalfanhourwithaswaborabucket，hefeelshimselfassecureasifhehadpaidforhispassage。Itisnotaltogetherabadthingforthecompany，whogetmoreorlessefficienthandsfornothingbutafewplatesofjunkandduff；andeverynowandagainfindthemselvesbetterpaidthanbyawholefamilyofcabinpassengers。Notlongago，forinstance，apacketwassavedfromnearlycertainlossbytheskillandcourageofastowawayengineer。Aswasnomorethanjust，ahandsomesubscriptionrewardedhimforhissuccess：butevenwithoutsuchexceptionalgoodfortune，asthingsstandinEnglandandAmerica，thestowawaywilloftenmakeagoodprofitoutofhisadventure。Fourengineersstowedawaylastsummeronthesameship，theCIRCASSIA；andbeforetwodaysaftertheirarrivaleachofthefourhadfoundacomfortableberth。ThiswasthemosthopefultaleofemigrationthatIheardfromfirsttolast；andasyousee，theluckwasforstowaways。
MycuriositywasmuchinflamedbywhatIheard；andthenextmorning，asIwasmakingtheroundoftheship，Iwasdelightedtofindtheex—RoyalEngineerengagedinwashingdownthewhitepaintofadeckhouse。Therewasanotherfellowatworkbesidehim，aladnotmorethantwenty，inthemostmiraculoustatters，hishandsomefacesownwithgrainsofbeautyandlightedupbyexpressiveeyes。FourstowawayshadbeenfoundaboardourshipbeforeshelefttheClyde，butthesetwohadaloneescapedtheignominyofbeingputashore。
Alick，myacquaintanceoflastnight，wasScotsbybirth，andbytradeapracticalengineer；theotherwasfromDevonshire，andhadbeentoseabeforethemast。Twopeoplemoreunlikebytraining，character，andhabitsitwouldbehardtoimagine；yetheretheyweretogether，scrubbingpaint。
Alickhadheldallsortsofgoodsituations，andwastedmanyopportunitiesinlife。Ihaveheardhimendastorywiththesewords：’Thatwasinmygoldendays，whenIusedfinger—glasses。’
Situationaftersituationfailedhim；thenfollowedthedepressionoftrade，andformonthshehadhungroundwithotheridlers，playingmarblesalldayintheWestPark，andgoinghomeatnighttotellhislandladyhowhehadbeenseekingforajob。IbelievethiskindofexistencewasnotunpleasanttoAlickhimself，andhemighthavelongcontinuedtoenjoyidlenessandalifeontick；buthehadacomrade，letuscallhimBrown，whogrewrestive。ThisfellowwascontinuallythreateningtosliphiscablefortheStates，andatlast，oneWednesday，GlasgowwasleftwidowedofherBrown。Somemonthsafterwards，AlickmetanotheroldchuminSauchiehallStreet。
’Bythebye，Alick，’saidhe，’ImetagentlemaninNewYorkwhowasaskingforyou。’
’Whowasthat？’askedAlick。
’ThenewsecondengineeronboardtheSO—AND—SO，’wasthereply。
’Well，andwhoishe？’
’Brown，tobesure。’
ForBrownhadbeenoneofthefortunatequartetteaboardtheCIRCASSIA。IfthatwasthewayofitintheStates，AlickthoughtitwashightimetofollowBrown’sexample。Hespenthislastday，asheputit，’reviewingtheyeomanry，’andthenextmorningsayshetohislandlady，’Mrs。X。，I’llnottakeporridgeto—day，please；I’lltakesomeeggs。’
’Why，haveyoufoundajob？’sheasked，delighted。
’Well，yes，’returnedtheperfidiousAlick；’IthinkI’llstartto—
day。’
Andso，welllinedwitheggs，starthedid，butforAmerica。Iamafraidthatlandladyhasseenthelastofhim。
Itwaseasyenoughtogetonboardintheconfusionthatattendsavessel’sdeparture；andinoneofthedarkcornersofSteerageNo。1，flatinabunkandwithanemptystomach，AlickmadethevoyagefromtheBroomielawtoGreenock。Thatnight，theship’syeomanpulledhimoutbytheheelsandhadhimbeforethemate。Twootherstowawayshadalreadybeenfoundandsentashore；butbythistimedarknesshadfallen，theywereoutinthemiddleoftheestuary，andthelaststeamerhadleftthemtillthemorning。
’Takehimtotheforecastleandgivehimameal，’saidthemate，’andseeandpackhimoffthefirstthingto—morrow。’
Intheforecastlehehadsupper，agoodnight’srest，andbreakfast；
andwassittingplacidlywithapipe，fancyingallwasoverandthegameupforgoodwiththatship，whenoneofthesailorsgrumbledoutanoathathim，witha’Whatareyoudoingthere？’and’Doyoucallthathiding，anyway？’Therewasneedofnomore；Alickwasinanotherbunkbeforethedaywasolder。Shortlybeforethepassengersarrived，theshipwascursorilyinspected。Heheardtheroundcomedownthecompanionandlookintoonepenafteranother，untiltheycamewithintwooftheoneinwhichhelayconcealed。Intotheselasttwotheydidnotenter，butmerelyglancedfromwithout；andAlickhadnodoubtthathewaspersonallyfavouredinthisescape。
Itwasthecharacterofthemantoattributenothingtoluckandbutlittletokindness；whateverhappenedtohimhehadearnedinhisownrightamply；favourscametohimfromhissingularattractionandadroitness，andmisfortuneshehadalwaysacceptedwithhiseyesopen。Halfanhourafterthesearchershaddeparted，thesteeragebegantofillwithlegitimatepassengers，andtheworstofAlick’stroubleswasatanend。Hewassoonmakinghimselfpopular，smokingotherpeople’stobacco，andpolitelysharingtheirprivatestockdelicacies，andwhennightcameheretiredtohisbunkbesidetheotherswithcomposure。
Nextdaybyafternoon，LoughFoylebeingalreadyfarbehind，andonlytheroughnorth—westernhillsofIrelandwithinview，Alickappearedondecktocourtinquiryanddecidehisfate。Asamatteroffact，hewasknowntoseveralonboard，andevenintimatewithoneoftheengineers；butitwasplainlynottheetiquetteofsuchoccasionsfortheauthoritiestoavowtheirinformation。Everyoneprofessedsurpriseandangeronhisappearance，andhewasledprisonbeforethecaptain。
’Whathaveyougottosayforyourself？’inquiredthecaptain。
’Notmuch，’saidAlick；’butwhenamanhasbeenalongtimeoutofajob，hewilldothingshewouldnotunderothercircumstances。’
’Areyouwillingtowork？’
Alicksworehewasburningtobeuseful。
’Andwhatcanyoudo？’askedthecaptain。
Herepliedcomposedlythathewasabrass—fitterbytrade。
’Ithinkyouwillbebetteratengineering？’suggestedtheofficer，withashrewdlook。
’No，sir，’saysAlicksimply。—’There’sfewcanbeatmeatalie，’
washisengagingcommentarytomeasherecountedtheaffair。
’Haveyoubeentosea？’againaskedthecaptain。
’I’vehadatriponaClydesteamboat，sir，butnomore，’repliedtheunabashedAlick。
’Well，wemusttryandfindsomeworkforyou，’concludedtheofficer。
AndhencewebeholdAlick，clearofthehotengine—room，lazilyscrapingpaintandnowandthentakingapulluponasheet。’Youleavemealone，’washisdeduction。’WhenIgettalkingtoaman，I
cangetroundhim。’
Theotherstowaway，whomIwillcalltheDevonian—itwasnoticeablethatneitherofthemtoldhisname—hadbothbeenbroughtupandseentheworldinamuchsmallerway。Hisfather，aconfectioner，diedandwascloselyfollowedbyhismother。Hissistershadtaken，Ithink，todressmaking。Hehimselfhadreturnedfromseaaboutayearagoandgonetolivewithhisbrother，whokeptthe’GeorgeHotel’—’itwasnotquitearealhotel，’addedthecandidfellow—
’andhadahiredmantomindthehorses。’AtfirsttheDevonianwasverywelcome；butastimewentonhisbrothernotunnaturallygrewcooltowardshim，andhebegantofindhimselfonetoomanyatthe’GeorgeHotel。’’Idon’tthinkbrotherscaremuchforyou，’hesaid，asageneralreflectionuponlife。Hurtatthischange，nearlypenniless，andtooproudtoaskformore，hesetoffonfootandwalkedeightymilestoWeymouth，livingonthejourneyashecould。
Hewouldhaveenlisted，buthewastoosmallforthearmyandtoooldforthenavy；andthoughthimselffortunateatlasttofindaberthonboardatradingdandy。SomewhereintheBristolChannelthedandysprungaleakandwentdown；andthoughthecrewwerepickedupandbroughtashorebyfishermen，theyfoundthemselveswithnothingbuttheclothesupontheirback。Hisnextengagementwasscarcelybetterstarred；fortheshipprovedsoleaky，andfrightenedthemallsoheartilyduringashortpassagethroughtheIrishSea，thattheentirecrewdesertedandremainedbehinduponthequaysofBelfast。
EvildayswerenowcomingthickontheDevonian。HecouldfindnoberthinBelfast，andhadtoworkapassagetoGlasgowonasteamer。
ShereachedtheBroomielawonaWednesday：theDevonianhadabellyfulthatmorning，layinginbreakfastmanfullytoprovideagainstthefuture，andsetoffalongthequaystoseekemployment。
Buthewasnownotonlypenniless，hisclotheshadbeguntofallintatters；hehadbeguntohavethelookofastreetArab；andcaptainswillhavenothingtosaytoaragamuffin；forinthattrade，asinallothers，itisthecoatthatdepictstheman。Youmayhand，reef，andsteerlikeanangel，butifyouhaveaholeinyourtrousers，itislikeamillstoneroundyourneck。TheDevonianlostheartatsomanyrefusals。Hehadnottheimpudencetobeg；although，ashesaid，’whenIhadmoneyofmyown，Ialwaysgaveit。’ItwasonlyonSaturdaymorning，afterthreewholedaysofstarvation，thatheaskedasconefromamilkwoman，whoaddedofherownaccordaglassofmilk。Hehadnowmadeuphismindtostowaway，notfromanydesiretoseeAmerica，butmerelytoobtainthecomfortofaplaceintheforecastleandasupplyoffamiliarsea—fare。Helivedbybegging，alwaysfrommilkwomen，andalwayssconesandmilk，andwasnotoncerefused。Itwasvilewetweather，andhecouldneverhavebeendry。
Bynighthewalkedthestreets，andbydaysleptuponGlasgowGreen，andheard，intheintervalsofhisdozing，thefamoustheologiansofthespotclearupintricatepointsofdoctrineandappraisethemeritsoftheclergy。Hehadnotmuchinstruction；hecould’readbillsonthestreet，’butwas’mainbadatwriting’；yetthesetheologiansseemtohaveimpressedhimwithagenuinesenseofamusement。WhyhedidnotgototheSailors’HouseIknownot；I
presumethereisinGlasgowoneoftheseinstitutions，whicharebyfarthehappiestandthewisesteffortofcontemporaneouscharity；
butImuststandtomyauthor，astheysayinoldbooks，andrelatethestoryasIheardit。Inthemeantime，hehadtriedfourtimestostowawayindifferentvessels，andfourtimeshadbeendiscoveredandhandedbacktostarvation。Thefifthtimewaslucky；andyoumayjudgeifhewerepleasedtobeaboardshipagain，athisoldwork，andwithdufftwiceaweek。Hewas，saidAlick，’adevilfortheduff。’Orifdevilwasnottheword，itwasoneifanythingstronger。
Thedifferenceintheconductofthetwowasremarkable。TheDevonianwasaswillingasanypaidhand，swarmedaloftamongthefirst，pulledhisnaturalweightandfirmlyuponarope，andfoundworkforhimselfwhentherewasnonetoshowhim。Alick，ontheotherhand，wasnotonlyaskulkerinthebrain，buttookahumorousandfinegentlemanlyviewofthetransaction。Hewouldspeaktomebythehourinostentatiousidleness；andonlyifthebo’s’unoramatecameby，fell—tolanguidlyforjustthenecessarytimetilltheywereoutofsight。’I’mnotbreakingmyheartwithit，’heremarked。
Oncetherewasahatchtobeopenednearwherehewasstationed；hewatchedthepreparationsforasecondorsosuspiciously，andthen，’Hullo，’saidhe，’here’ssomerealworkcoming—I’moff，’andhewasgonethatmoment。Again，calculatingthesixguineapassage—
money，andtheprobabledurationofthepassage，heremarkedpleasantlythathewasgettingsixshillingsadayforthisjob，’andit’sprettydeartothecompanyatthat。’’Theyaremakingnothingbyme，’wasanotherofhisobservations；’they’remakingsomethingbythatfellow。’AndhepointedtotheDevonian，whowasjustthenbusytotheeyes。
ThemoreyousawofAlick，themore，itmustbeowned，youlearnedtodespisehim。Hisnaturaltalentswereofnouseeithertohimselforothers；forhischaracterhaddegeneratedlikehisface，andbecomepulpyandpretentious。Evenhispowerofpersuasion，whichwascertainlyverysurprising，stoodinsomedangerofbeinglostorneutralisedbyover—confidence。Heliedinanaggressive，brazenmanner，likeapertcriminalinthedock；andhewassovainofhisownclevernessthathecouldnotrefrainfromboasting，tenminutesafter，oftheverytrickbywhichhehaddeceivedyou。’Why，nowI
havemoremoneythanwhenIcameonboard，’hesaidonenight，exhibitingasixpence，’andyetIstoodmyselfabottleofbeerbeforeIwenttobedyesterday。Andasfortobacco，Ihavefifteensticksofit。’Thatwasfairlysuccessfulindeed；yetamanofhissuperiority，andwithalessobtrusivepolicy，might，whoknows？havegotthelengthofhalfacrown。Amanwhoprideshimselfuponpersuasionshouldlearnthepersuasivefacultyofsilence，aboveallastohisownmisdeeds。ItisonlyinthefarceandfordramaticpurposesthatScapinenlargesonhispeculiartalentstotheworldatlarge。
Scapinisperhapsagoodnameforthisclever，unfortunateAlick；foratthebottomofallhismisconducttherewasaguidingsenseofhumourthatmovedyoutoforgivehim。Itwasmorethanhalfajestthatheconductedhisexistence。’Oh，man，’hesaidtomeoncewithunusualemotion，likeamanthinkingofhismistress，’Iwouldgiveupanythingforalark。’
Itwasinrelationtohisfellow—stowawaythatAlickshowedthebest，orperhapsIshouldsaytheonlygood，pointsofhisnature。’Mindyou，’hesaidsuddenly，changinghistone，’mindyouthat’sagoodboy。Hewouldn’ttellyoualie。Alotofthemthinkheisascampbecausehisclothesareragged，butheisn’t；he’sasgoodasgold。’
Tohearhim，youbecomeawarethatAlickhimselfhadatasteforvirtue。Hethoughthisownidlenessandtheother’sindustryequallybecoming。Hewasnomoreanxioustoinsurehisownreputationasaliarthantoupholdthetruthfulnessofhiscompanion；andheseemedunawareofwhatwasincongruousinhisattitude，andwasplainlysincereinbothcharacters。
ItwasnotsurprisingthatheshouldtakeaninterestintheDevonian，fortheladworshippedandservedhiminloveandwonder。
Busyashewas，hewouldfindtimetowarnAlickofanapproachingofficer，oreventotellhimthatthecoastwasclear，andhemightslipoffandsmokeapipeinsafety。’Tom，’heoncesaidtohim，forthatwasthenamewhichAlickorderedhimtouse，’ifyoudon’tlikegoingtothegalley，I’llgoforyou。Youain’tusedtothiskindofthing，youain’t。ButI’masailor；andIcanunderstandthefeelingsofanyfellow，Ican。’Again，hewashardup，andcastingaboutforsometobacco，forhewasnotsoliberallyusedinthisrespectasothersperhapslessworthy，whenAlickofferedhimthehalfofoneofhisfifteensticks。Ithink，formypart，hemighthaveincreasedtheoffertoawholeone，orperhapsapairofthem，andnotlivedtoregrethisliberality。ButtheDevonianrefused。
’No，’hesaid，’you’reastowawaylikeme；Iwon’ttakeitfromyou，I’lltakeitfromsomeonewho’snotdownonhisluck。’
Itwasnotableinthisgenerousladthathewasstronglyundertheinfluenceofsex。Ifawomanpassednearwherehewasworking，hiseyeslitup，hishandpaused，andhismindwanderedinstantlytootherthoughts。Itwasnaturalthatheshouldexerciseafascinationproportionallystronguponwomen。Hebegged，youwillremember，fromwomenonly，andwasneverrefused。Withoutwishingtoexplainawaythecharityofthosewhohelpedhim，Icannotbutfancyhemayhaveowedalittletohishandsomeface，andtothatquick，responsivenature，formedforlove，whichspeakseloquentlythroughalldisguises，andcanstampanimpressionintenminutes’talkoranexchangeofglances。Hewasthemoredangerousinthathewasfarfrombold，butseemedtowooinspiteofhimself，andwithasoftandpleadingeye。Raggedashewas，andmanyascarecrowisinthatrespectmorecomfortablyfurnished，evenonboardhewasnotwithoutsomecuriousadmirers。
Therewasagirlamongthepassengers，atall，blonde，handsome，strappingIrishwoman，withawild，accommodatingeye，whomAlickhaddubbedTommy，withthattranscendentalappropriatenessthatdefiesanalysis。OnedaytheDevonianwaslyingforwarmthintheupperstoke—hole，whichstandsopenonthedeck，whenIrishTommycamepast，veryneatlyattired，aswashercustom。
’Poorfellow，’shesaid，stopping，’youhaven’tavest。’
’No，’hesaid；’IwishI’ad。’
Thenshestoodandgazedonhiminsilence，until，inhisembarrassment，forheknewnothowtolookunderthisscrutiny，hepulledouthispipeandbegantofillitwithtobacco。
’Doyouwantamatch？’sheasked。Andbeforehehadtimetoreply，sheranoffandpresentlyreturnedwithmorethanone。
Thatwasthebeginningandtheend，asfarasourpassageisconcerned，ofwhatIwillmakeboldtocallthislove—affair。Therearemanyrelationswhichgoontomarriageandlastduringalifetime，inwhichlesshumanfeelingisengagedthaninthissceneoffiveminutesatthestoke—hole。
Rigidlyspeaking，thiswouldendthechapterofthestowaways；butinalargersenseofthewordIhaveyetmoretoadd。Joneshaddiscoveredandpointedouttomeayoungwomanwhowasremarkableamongherfellowsforapleasingandinterestingair。Shewaspoorlyclad，totheverge，ifnotovertheline，ofdisrespectability，witharaggedoldjacketandabitofasealskincapnobiggerthanyourfist；buthereyes，herwholeexpression，andhermanner，eveninordinarymoments，toldofatruewomanlynature，capableoflove，anger，anddevotion。Shehadalook，too，ofrefinement，likeonewhomighthavebeenabetterladythanmost，hadshebeenallowedtheopportunity。Whenalonesheseemedpreoccupiedandsad；butshewasnotoftenalone；therewasusuallybyhersideaheavy，dull，grossmaninroughclothes，charyofspeechandgesture—notfromcaution，butpovertyofdisposition；amanlikeaditcher，unlovelyanduninteresting；whomshepettedandtendedandwaitedonwithhereyesasifhehadbeenAmadisofGaul。Itwasstrangetoseethishulkingfellowdog—sick，andthisdelicate，sadwomancaringforhim。Heseemed，fromfirsttolast，insensibleofhercaressesandattentions，andsheseemedunconsciousofhisinsensibility。TheIrishhusband，whosanghiswifetosleep，andthisScottishgirlservingherOrson，werethetwobitsofhumannaturethatmostappealedtomethroughoutthevoyage。