Lizard’s Surgeon Warns the Narrator to Show Respect to Crampley
Lizard’s Surgeon Warns the Narrator to Show Respect to Crampley
The surgeon Tomlins informs the narrator of Crampley’s new position and advises him to behave with some respect toward his superior officer, warning that otherwise Crampley will find a thousand opportunities to use him ill. This advice is bitter medicine for the narrator, whose pride and resentment render him utterly incapable of submission to or reconciliation with the wretch who has treated him so inhumanly on many occasions. Resolving to have as little connection as possible with Crampley, the narrator determines to ingratiate himself with the rest of the officers, whose friendship may shield him from malicious persecution.
Lizard Sloop Captures Spanish and English Prizes on West Indies Cruise
Lizard Sloop Captures Spanish and English Prizes on West Indies Cruise
Within a week, the Lizard sails on a cruise and takes a Spanish barcolongo along with her prize—an English ship bound for Bristol that sailed from Jamaica a fortnight before without convoy. All healthy prisoners are put ashore on the north side of the island, while the prizes are manned with English sailors. Command of the barcolongo is given to the narrator’s friend the master’s mate, with orders to carry both prizes to Port Morant and remain until the Lizard’s cruise concludes.
Narrator Is Assigned to Shore Hospital Duty at Port Morant
Narrator Is Assigned to Shore Hospital Duty at Port Morant
The narrator is sent with his messmate to attend the sixteen wounded Spaniards and Englishmen, transporting them to a hired storehouse repurposed as a hospital. This assignment pleases him greatly, as it frees him from Crampley’s arrogance for some time. His messmate, who resembles his uncle in both figure and disposition, treats him with utmost civility and confidence, making him a present of a silver-hilted hanger and pair of pistols acquired during the plunder. They arrive safely at Morant, establish the hospital with beds and necessaries, and four of the ship’s company are assigned to attend the wounded under the narrator’s care.
CAPÍTULO XXXVI.
The chapter recounts a strange adventure that brings great happiness, during which Crampley’s malicious accusations against the narrator are defeated by the surgeon’s good nature and friendship. The crew returns to Port Royal, where the captain receives command of a larger ship and is succeeded by an elderly commander. Brayl is provided for with a promotion, and orders arrive to sail for England.
Roadside Reunion with Friend Thompson
While returning to the ship by moonlight with Brayl, the narrator is alarmed by a familiar voice behind them. Unable to resist an invitation to enter a roadside house, the narrator discovers the horseman is actually Thompson, whom he had mourned as drowned. The emotional reunion overwhelms the narrator, who initially believes himself deceived by a dream. Honest Brayl weeps alongside them and celebrates their happiness.
Thompson’s Overboard Survival Story
Thompson explains that despair drove him to leap from the Thunder into the sea. After being thoroughly ducked, he regretted his impulsiveness but swam toward passing ships. Though one vessel threw him an old chest for support, no ship stopped for three hours. Eventually a Rhode Island schooner rescued him. The ship’s captain proved to be Thompson’s old schoolfellow, who helped him secure a position as surgeon and overseer on a wealthy planter’s Jamaica estate, where he has fallen in love with the planter’s daughter.
Farewell and Generous Gifts from Thompson
Over ten days together, Thompson lavishes the narrator with poultry, meat, fruit, wine, and rum. Before departing, Thompson forces ten pistoles upon his friend. Upon leaving, he presses four doubloons into the narrator’s hand, and later sends a box containing shirts, waistcoats, caps, and stockings. The narrator, now provided with money and fine clothes, feels like “a gentleman of some consequence.”
Crampley’s Slander Refuted by the Ship’s Surgeon
When the narrator transfers to the Lizard, he learns Crampley has spread scandalous stories about him, including false claims of transportation for theft and whipping. The ship’s surgeon, having heard the narrator’s full account, defends him strenuously and recounts instances of Crampley’s malice, satisfying the captain of the narrator’s innocence while making Crampley an enemy of the surgeon.
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