In fact, the latter turned out to be a regular sea-tyrant, and Lee soon found that life under him would be intolerable.
The crew were a mixed lot, mostly Norwegians and Dagos, whom the captain had shipped at low wages. Some of them hardly understood a word of English; and before the week was out the captain almost killed a poor Portuguese by striking him with a belaying-pin because he misunderstood an order while at the wheel.
That night the second-mate talked to Lee during his watch, and asked him how he came to ship.
Lee told him his story.
"Well, my lad, my advice to you is to run away as soon as we reach Havana. The captain is also part owner, and he will never pay you any wages, if by any chance he can avoid it, while he is likely to do you harm if you cross him."
"Why do you stop on board?" asked Lee.
"Because he owes me several months' wages, and I cannot afford to lose it. But you mind what I tell you, and get away the first chance."
Among the crew of the Traveler, Lee had found a Cuban lad of about his own age, named Diego, whom Captain Bristol had inveigled into shipping as a cabin-boy, on a previous voyage to Havana.
He had been five or six months on board the vessel, and began to speak English pretty fluently, but in a broken way, and with many sailor expressions.
One evening, at sea, he came up to Lee and said: