These men are free, too,
from the power of the great capitalist, whose sway is more
withering than despotism itself to the enterprises of humble
venturers. The capital employed is supplied by those whose labour
is to render it productive. The crew receive no wages, but have
all a share in the venture, and in general, I believe, they are the
owners of the whole freight. They choose a captain, to whom they
entrust just power enough to keep the vessel on her course in fine
weather, but not quite enough for a gale of wind; they also elect a
cook and a mate. The cook whom we had on board was particularly
careful about the ship's reckoning, and when under the influence of
the keen sea-breezes we grew fondly expectant of an instant dinner,
the great author of pilafs would be standing on deck with an
ancient quadrant in his hands, calmly affecting to take an
observation. But then to make up for this the captain would be
exercising a controlling influence over the soup, so that all in
the end went well. Our mate was a Hydriot, a native of that island
rock which grows nothing but mariners and mariners' wives. His
character seemed to be exactly that which is generally attributed
to the Hydriot race; he was fierce, and gloomy, and lonely in his
ways.
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