Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp2.djvu/447

 Tucker, however, took advantage of the first fine day to expose it to the sun, when it very soon lost the offensive smell, resumed its former solidity, and was again re-packed. Notwithstanding this, he was afraid that the ship’s company might have a dislike to eat it, and he therefore directed all the officers to make a point of doing so; his steward was likewise told to have nothing else cooked for the use of the cabin on the day when it was to be first made use of. When that time arrived, not a man appeared in the galley to claim the meat for his mess, nor was a single piece of it taken away even after it had been surveyed and reported “wholesome food, fit for men to eat.” The first Lieutenant was then desired by Captain Tucker to allow it to remain in the cook’s charge until the usual hour for mustering at quarters, and then to throw whatever remained unclaimed overboard. On the 2d, 3d, and 4th days, the meat was cooked as before, but still no demand was made for it by any of the messes, the ship’s company preferring to dine on biscuit and grog alone. On each of those days the quantity cooked was again properly surveyed, and ordered to be disposed of as before. In the afternoon of the latter day, however, a marine said to one of his companions that he was very hungry, and as the Captain and officers eat the beef every day he would go and do the same; his messmate replied, “if you do, you will be severely punished by the ship’s company;” which threat he immediately reported to the officer of the watch, who lost no time in making the circumstance known to Captain Tucker. The marines were instantaneously ordered to be got under arms, and preparation was made for punishment. On the offender being brought to the gangway. Captain Tucker told him that he was not going to flog him for declining to eat the meat, but for presuming to assume an authority which was alone vested in his captain; and which power, added he, “I will not resign to any one, as long as I have a head on my shoulders.” He then ordered the boatswain of the Cherub to give the first dozen lashes; the boatswain’s-mates followed in succession, and the prisoner received as severe a punishment as he thought himself authorized in inflicting. Captain