{"id":"01KG8AMETCF66J1SW1QF02RHYD","cid":"bafkreidwpcfkgebn24tv7j7zrbwud4symx2pynosb4o26jtcisaetvyvg4","type":"chunk","properties":{"end_line":8047,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:36.274Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Chunk 1","source_file":"01KG89J19NC56FFGBCM2SWEZZY","start_line":7991,"text":"CHAPTER XLIX.\r\nNEVERSINK.\r\n\r\n\r\nWhile lying in the harbour of Callao, in Peru, certain rumours had come\r\nto us touching a war with England, growing out of the long-vexed\r\nNortheastern Boundary Question. In Rio these rumours were increased;\r\nand the probability of hostilities induced our Commodore to authorize\r\nproceedings that closely brought home to every man on board the\r\nNeversink his liability at any time to be killed at his gun.\r\n\r\nAmong other things, a number of men were detailed to pass up the rusty\r\ncannon-balls from the shot-lockers in the hold, and scrape them clean\r\nfor service. The Commodore was a very neat gentleman, and would not\r\nfire a dirty shot into his foe.\r\n\r\nIt was an interesting occasion for a tranquil observer; nor was it\r\naltogether neglected. Not to recite the precise remarks made by the\r\nseamen while pitching the shot up the hatchway from hand to hand, like\r\nschoolboys playing ball ashore, it will be enough to say that, from the\r\ngeneral drift of their discourse—jocular as it was—it was manifest\r\nthat, almost to a man, they abhorred the idea of going into action.\r\n\r\nAnd why should they desire a war? Would their wages be raised? Not a\r\ncent. The prize-money, though, ought to have been an inducement. But of\r\nall the “rewards of virtue,” prize-money is the most uncertain; and\r\nthis the man-of-war’s-man knows. What, then, has he to expect from war?\r\nWhat but harder work, and harder usage than in peace; a wooden leg or\r\narm; mortal wounds, and death? Enough, however, that by far the\r\nmajority of the common sailors of the Neversink were plainly concerned\r\nat the prospect of war, and were plainly averse to it.\r\n\r\nBut with the officers of the quarter-deck it was just the reverse. None\r\nof them, to be sure, in my hearing at least, verbally expressed their\r\ngratification; but it was unavoidably betrayed by the increased\r\ncheerfulness of their demeanour toward each other, their frequent\r\nfraternal conferences, and their unwonted animation for several clays\r\nin issuing their orders. The voice of Mad Jack—always a belfry to\r\nhear—now resounded like that famous bell of England, Great Tom of\r\nOxford. As for Selvagee, he wore his sword with a jaunty air, and his\r\nservant daily polished the blade.\r\n\r\nBut why this contrast between the forecastle and the quarter-deck,\r\nbetween the man-of-war’s-man and his officer? Because, though war would\r\nequally jeopardize the lives of both, yet, while it held out to the\r\nsailor no promise of promotion, and what is called _glory_, these\r\nthings fired the breast of his officers.\r\n\r\nIt is no pleasing task, nor a thankful one, to dive into the souls of\r\nsome men; but there are occasions when, to bring up the mud from the\r\nbottom, reveals to us on what soundings we are, on what coast we\r\nadjoin.\r\n\r\nHow were these officers to gain glory? How but by a distinguished\r\nslaughtering of their fellow-men. How were they to be promoted? How but\r\nover the buried heads of killed comrades and mess-mates.\r\n\r","title":"Chunk 1"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJS32NFQ1HHTK2EEJVN9E","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J19NC56FFGBCM2SWEZZY","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AMETCYMTSXGVBQ641152F","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"next"}],"ver":2,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:37.708Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:49.247Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}