TIT FOR TAT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2292, 19 March 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

TIT FOR TAT.

Theue is an extraordinary instance of naval spirit preserved in Burnabv's travels in North America, published in 1775. Captain St. Loo, commander of an English man-of-war lying in Boston harbour, being ashore on a .Sunday, was taken into custody for walking on the Lord's .Pay. On Monday lie was carried before a justice and fined. Refusing to pay, he was sentenced to sit in the stocks one hour during the time of the change. This sentence was executed. Whilst the captain sat iu durance, the magistrate admonished him to respect in future the wholesome laws of tlio Province, and he was further exhorted for ever after to reverence and keep ho! v.tlie Sabbath day. At the expiration of the hour he was liberated. On regaining the use of his legs he stood up, expressed himself as greatly edified by the lesson he had learned, and declared himself so thoroughly converted as to rejoice the hearts of the Boston saints. He acted I his part so well that he became extremely popular among the godly folks, who, on the day fixed for the sailing of theship accepted his invitation to dine with him on board. He gave them a capital dinner, plied them with bawls and bottles, and in a short time the whole ship resounded witli their roaring merriment. On a sudden a body of sailors burst into the cabin, laid hold of the saints and pinioned them, then dragged them on deck, where they were stripped and tied up. How many lashes the boatswain and his mates dealt them is not stated : but the story goes that " when they had suffered the whole of the discipline which had flayed them from the nape of the neck to the hams, the captain took a polite leave, earnestly requesting them to remember him in their players. They were then let down into the boat- ':'v.t was waiting for them, the crew saluted M;em with three cheers, and Captain Mt. Ij' o mi »li' s-iil." This fairly comes under the ho-iding >f what Wordsworth calls the "g"od old