Every unusual clause introduced into the shipping-articles, or anything which tends to deprive a seaman of what he would be entitled to by the general law, will be suspiciously regarded by the courts; and if there is reason to suppose that any advantage has been taken of him, or if the contract bears unequally upon him, it will be set aside. In order to sustain such a clause, the master or owner must show two things: first, that the seaman's attention was directed toward it, and its operation and effect explained to him; and, secondly, that he received some additional compensation or privilege in consideration of the clause. Unless the court is satisfied upon these two points, an unusual stipulation unfavorable to a seaman will be set aside.[140] For instance, seamen are entitled to have a medicine-chest on board, and in certain cases to be cured at the ship's expense; and the court set aside a clause in the shipping-articles in which it was stipulated that the seamen should bear all the expense, even though there were no medicine-chest on board.[141] Another clause was set aside, in which the voyage was described as from Baltimore to St. Domingo and _elsewhere_, on the ground that seamen are entitled to have their voyage accurately described.[142] [140] 2 Sumner, 443. 2 Mason, 541. [141] 2 Mason, 541. [142] 1 Hall's Law Jour. 207. 2 Gall. 477, 526. 2 Dods. 504. Gilp. 219. Some clauses which are not such as to be set aside, will yet be construed in favor of seamen, if their interpretation is at all doubtful.[143] A clause providing that no wages should be paid if the vessel should be taken or lost, or detained more than thirty days, was set aside, seamen being entitled to wages up to the last port of delivery.[144] If the amount of wages merely be omitted in the articles, there seems to be some doubt as to the introduction of other evidence to show the rate agreed upon, and as to the seaman's being entitled by statute to the highest rate of wages current.[145] If a seaman ships for a general coasting and trading voyage to different ports in the United States, and the articles provide for no time or place at which the voyage shall end, the seaman may leave at any time, provided he does not do so under circumstances peculiarly inconvenient to the other party.[146] [143] 1 Pet. Ad. 186, 215. [144] 2 Sumner, 443. [145] Gilpin, 452. Abb. on Shipp. 434, note. Act 1840, ch. 23, §10. [146] Ware, 437. If, however, the voyage is accurately described, and the wages specified, the seaman cannot be admitted to show that his contract was different from that contained in the articles.[147] [147] Gilpin, 305. It is no violation of the contract if the vessel departs from the voyage described, by accident, necessity, or superior force.[148] [148] 2 Hagg, 243. CHAPTER VIII. SEAMEN--CONTINUED.