Page:Life in India or Madras, the Neilgherries, and Calcutta.djvu/29

Rh tons burden. Her deck, extending from the bow to the stern in one unbroken level, gave a walk of nearly a hundred and forty feet; but passengers are not expected on ordinary occasions to go forward of the mainmast, so that only the after half of the ship was ours. Below, we had a series of little cabins against each side of the vessel, separated from each other by partitions of white pine, and a central cabin common to all. The little rooms, appropriated one to each family, were but six feet six inches square, giving just space enough for berths, a trunk, and washstand, both firmly secured. They were lighted, each by a single thick glass bull's eye, let into the deck overhead. But close as were our quarters, we were a cheerful and happy company. Many a pleasant evening did we pass around our pine table, and many a pleasant walk did we have up and down the quarter deck.

Our ship was manned by a captain, two officers, and fourteen men and boys. The officers live aft with the passengers; the men forward in a small cabin in the bow of the ship called the forecastle. Supreme authority is vested in the captain; from his will there can be no appeal at sea. It is the sailor's part to obey.