Manuel Pereira; Or, The Sovereign Rule of South CarolinaAdams, F. Colburn (Francis Colburn)
General
Manuel Pereira; Or, The Sovereign Rule of South Carolina
Adams, F. Colburn (Francis Colburn)
African Americans -- Fiction; Biographical fiction; Pereira, Manuel -- Fiction; South Carolina -- Fiction
AFTER several days' suffering for want of wafer and fatigue of labor,
several of the crew were reported upon the sick-list. Manuel, who had
borne his part nobly and cheerfully, was among the number; and his loss
was more severely felt, having done a double duty, and succeeded, as far
as the means were at hand, in making everybody on board comfortable. He
had attended upon those who gave up first, like a good nurse, ready
at the call, whether night or day, and with a readiness that seemed
pleasure to him. From the captain to the little boy Tommy, his loss
was felt with regret; and the latter would often go into the forecastle
where he lay, lean over him with a child-like simplicity, and smooth his
forehead with his little hand. “Manuel! I wish poor Manuel was well!” he
would say, and again he would lay his little hand on his head and smooth
his hair. He would whisper encouragement in his ear; and having learned
a smattering of Portuguese, would tell him how soon they would be in
port, and what pleasant times they would have together.
On the 21st they descried land, which proved to be Stono, about
twenty-five miles south of Charleston. Tommy announced the news to
Manuel, which seemed to cheer him up. His sickness was evidently caused
by fatigue, and his recovery depended more upon rest and nourishment
than medical treatment. That night at ten o'clock the wind came strong
north-west, and drove the Janson some distance to sea again; and it was
not until the morning of the 23d that she made Charleston light, and
succeeded in working up to the bar. Signal was made for a pilot, and
soon, a very fine cutter-looking boat, “Palmetto, No. 4,” was seen
shooting out over the bar in the main channel. Manuel, somewhat
recovered, had a few minutes before been assisted on deck, and through
the captain's orders was laid upon a mattrass, stretched on the
starboard side of the companion-way. By his side sat little Tommy,
serving him with some nourishment.
The boat was soon alongside, and the pilot, a middle-sized man, well
dressed, with a frank, open countenance, rather florid and sun-stained,
and a profusion of gold chain and seal dangling from his fob, came
on board. After saluting the captain, he surveyed the weather-beaten
condition of the craft, made several inquiries in regard to her working,
and then said in a sang-froid manner, “Well! I reckon you've seen some
knocking, anyhow.” Then turning again and giving some orders in regard,
to getting more way upon her, he viewed the laborious working at the
pumps, and walking about midships on the larboard side, took a sharp
survey of her waist. “Don't she leak around her topsides, Captain?” said
he.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account