{"id":"01KG6YGYVVEJ44W9NAX7QWFAHN","cid":"bafkreihbwikswzbcrgdelqalihnkvjg6w37wc5p5ytkzhxoy3cjr62ngri","type":"chunk","properties":{"end_line":6735,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T07:57:45.584Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Chunk 1","source_file":"01KG6YDD8GKW0DRD5H2MY1NRZ7","start_line":6669,"text":"which, after throwing up an infinite deal of stones and ashes, finally\r\nthrew up business altogether, from its broadcast bounteousness having\r\nbecome bankrupt. But thanks to the volcano's prodigality in its time,\r\nthe soil of Fogo is such as may be found on a dusty day on a road newly\r\nmacadamized. Cut off from farms and gardens, the staple food of the\r\ninhabitants is fish, at catching which they are expert. But none the\r\nless do they relish ship-biscuit, which, indeed, by most islanders,\r\nbarbarous or semi-barbarous, is held a sort of lozenge.\r\n\r\nIn his best estate the 'Gee is rather small (he admits it) but, with\r\nsome exceptions, hardy; capable of enduring extreme hard work, hard\r\nfare, or hard usage, as the case may be. In fact, upon a scientific\r\nview, there would seem a natural adaptability in the 'Gee to hard\r\ntimes generally. A theory not uncorroborated by his experiences; and\r\nfurthermore, that kindly care of Nature in fitting him for them,\r\nsomething as for his hard rubs with a hardened world Fox the Quaker\r\nfitted himself, namely, in a tough leather suit from top to toe. In\r\nother words, the 'Gee is by no means of that exquisitely delicate\r\nsensibility expressed by the figurative adjective thin-skinned. His\r\nphysicals and spirituals are in singular contrast. The 'Gee has a great\r\nappetite, but little imagination; a large eyeball, but small insight.\r\nBiscuit he crunches, but sentiment he eschews.\r\n\r\nHis complexion is hybrid; his hair ditto; his mouth disproportionally\r\nlarge, as compared with his stomach; his neck short; but his head\r\nround, compact, and betokening a solid understanding.\r\n\r\nLike the negro, the 'Gee has a peculiar savor, but a different one--a\r\nsort of wild, marine, gamey savor, as in the sea-bird called haglet.\r\nLike venison, his flesh is firm but lean.\r\n\r\nHis teeth are what are called butter-teeth, strong, durable, square,\r\nand yellow. Among captains at a loss for better discourse during dull,\r\nrainy weather in the horse-latitudes, much debate has been had whether\r\nhis teeth are intended for carnivorous or herbivorous purposes, or both\r\nconjoined. But as on his isle the 'Gee eats neither flesh nor grass,\r\nthis inquiry would seem superfluous.\r\n\r\nThe native dress of the 'Gee is, like his name, compendious. His head\r\nbeing by nature well thatched, he wears no hat. Wont to wade much in\r\nthe surf, he wears no shoes. He has a serviceably hard heel, a kick\r\nfrom which is by the judicious held almost as dangerous as one from a\r\nwild zebra.\r\n\r\nThough for a long time back no stranger to the seafaring people of\r\nPortugal, the 'Gee, until a comparatively recent period, remained\r\nalmost undreamed of by seafaring Americans. It is now some forty years\r\nsince he first became known to certain masters of our Nantucket ships,\r\nwho commenced the practice of touching at Fogo, on the outward passage,\r\nthere to fill up vacancies among their crews arising from the short\r\nsupply of men at home. By degrees the custom became pretty general,\r\ntill now the 'Gee is found aboard of almost one whaler out of three.\r\nOne reason why they are in request is this: An unsophisticated 'Gee\r\ncoming on board a foreign ship never asks for wages. He comes for\r\nbiscuit. He does not know what wages mean, unless cuffs and buffets be\r\nwages, of which sort he receives a liberal allowance, paid with great\r\npunctuality, besides perquisites of punches thrown in now and then.\r\nBut for all this, some persons there are, and not unduly biassed by\r\npartiality to him either, who still insist that the 'Gee never gets his\r\ndue.\r\n\r\nHis docile services being thus cheaply to be had, some captains\r\nwill go the length of maintaining that 'Gee sailors are preferable,\r\nindeed every way, physically and intellectually, superior to American\r\nsailors--such captains complaining, and justly, that American sailors,\r\nif not decently treated, are apt to give serious trouble.\r\n\r","title":"Chunk 1"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG6YGBGP8AW533G45QK3A4W5","peer_type":"backmatter","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG6YDD8GKW0DRD5H2MY1NRZ7","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG6YCG626JN4FCG8QK17CQCF","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG6YGYW049FG7AVHRX6EZHZ3","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"next"}],"ver":2,"created_at":"2026-01-30T07:57:45.723Z","ts":"2026-01-30T07:57:56.521Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}