Mr. Simper Arrives and Prescribes Non-Bleeding Treatment for Captain Whiffle
Mr. Simper Arrives and Prescribes Non-Bleeding Treatment for Captain Whiffle
Mr. Simper arrives—a young man with a delicate complexion and affected languid smile. He embraces the captain warmly and expresses sympathy for his condition. After feeling the captain’s pulse through his glove, Simper diagnoses the disorder as entirely nervous and prescribes tincture of castor and liquid laudanum instead of bleeding, reasoning these will compose the fermentation of the captain’s bile. The captain is put to bed, and orders are issued that no one walk on the side of the quarter-deck under which he lies. Simper’s care makes him so necessary that a cabin is constructed for him contiguous to the captain’s state room.
Captain Whiffle Enforces Strict Cabin Etiquette; Crew Spreads Gossip About Him
Captain Whiffle Enforces Strict Cabin Etiquette; Crew Spreads Gossip About Him
Upon recovery, Captain Whiffle issues strict regulations requiring lieutenants to appear on deck only with wigs, swords, and ruffles, and prohibiting midshipmen and petty officers from wearing check shirts or dirty linen. He further commands that no one except Simper and his own servants may enter the great cabin without first obtaining permission. These singular regulations do not prepossess the ship’s company in his favor; rather, they provide opportunity for scandal to busy itself with his character, accusing him of maintaining an improper correspondence with his surgeon.
Admiral’s Surgeon Orders the Detention of a Surgeon’s Mate in the West Indies
Admiral’s Surgeon Orders the Detention of a Surgeon’s Mate in the West Indies
When the ship receives sailing orders, the narrator hopes to revisit England soon. However, the admiral’s surgeon arrives and informs Morgan and the narrator that a great scarcity of surgeons exists in the West Indies. He announces orders to detain one mate from every great ship bound for England, directing them to decide between themselves by the next morning which will stay, or lots will be cast. Thunderstruck by this proposal, Morgan offers to remain only if given a surgeon’s warrant immediately, but learns no chief surgeon positions are available. Morgan flatly refuses to quit the ship, leaving the outcome to chance.
Narrator Volunteers to Stay, Exchanges Keepsakes with Morgan, Is Appointed to the Lizard Sloop
Narrator Volunteers to Stay, Exchanges Keepsakes with Morgan, Is Appointed to the Lizard Sloop
Reflecting on his miserable circumstances in England without friends to promote his advancement, and considering the present scarcity of surgeons in the unhealthy West Indies climate, the narrator resolves that success will be more certain by staying. He voluntarily submits to the admiral’s pleasure rather than risk losing to chance. His resignation is commended, and that afternoon he receives a warrant as surgeon`s mate of the Lizard sloop-of-war, placing him on equal footing with every first mate in the service. He exchanges sleeve buttons with Morgan as remembrances, takes leave of the sergeant and honest Jack Rattlin, and boards his new vessel.
Narrator Reconnects with Former Acquaintance as the Lizard’s Surgeon
Narrator Reconnects with Former Acquaintance as the Lizard’s Surgeon
On the Lizard, the narrator discovers the surgeon is one of the young fellows with whom he had been confined during their frolic with Jackson. The surgeon receives him with great courtesy and, upon being reminded of their former acquaintance, expresses great joy at the reunion. He assigns the narrator to an excellent mess composed of the gunner and master’s mate. This connection provides the narrator with friendly company aboard his new vessel, establishing a foundation of support among the officers.
Narrator Sells His Ticket Ashore and Returns to Find Crampley Is Lieutenant
Narrator Sells His Ticket Ashore and Returns to Find Crampley Is Lieutenant
With no sick patients aboard and having obtained leave, the narrator goes ashore with the gunner, who directs him to a Jew who purchases his ticket at a forty percent discount. Having acquired necessary supplies, the narrator returns to find his old antagonist Crampley walking upon deck. Through connections about the admiral, Crampley has procured a commission as lieutenant aboard the Lizard. This unexpected encounter presents the narrator with a hostile superior officer whose enmity has already manifested on two occasions since Crampley’s advancement.
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