Chapter 3 I
UNCLENCH MY HANDSFrom the first the captain disclaimed responsibility for me. I
was housed in the forecastle, and ate with the men. There, however,
my connection with the crew and the navigation of the ship ended.
Perhaps it was as well, although I resented it at first. I was
weaker than I had thought, and dizzy at the mere thought of going
aloft.
As a matter of fact, I found myself a sort of deck-steward,
given the responsibility of looking after the shuffle-board and
other deck games, the steamer-rugs, the cards,—for they played
bridge steadily,—and answerable to George Williams, the colored
butler, for the various liquors served on deck.
The work was easy, and the situation rather amused me. After an
effort or two to bully me, one of which resulted in my holding
