Page 55 - Cape Breton Captain: a Treasure

ISSUE : Issue 60

Published by Ronald Caplan on 1992/6/1

Cape Breton Captain: a Treasure! A Selection from Our New Book by Captain David A. McLeod There is no other way to say it: We were lucky enough to find a bur? ied treasure. And now we have published it ail in a new book • Cape Breton Captain, Captain David A. l/lcLeod's travels and adventures told In his own words. He was born in Richmond County and ended his days there as a storekeeper In Cleveland, near the Inverness County border. There are still a few living who remember him near the end of his life. They always mention the scar on his face, a souvenir of the mutiny on his last ship. Cape Breton Capfa/n takes us from school days to a beat-up sailor coming home. On the way he tells us about the circus riot in Port Hawkesbury, stealing and sailing anything that would float, the horse race that killed his father's horse and sent David out Into the world to pay for the deed • and life on board 19th-century square-rigged ships, sailing to Peru for guano and Cardiff, Wales, for coal, and In through the Islands off Arichat. He wins love, he loses love, and he makes real friendships. Cape Breton Captain is a vigorous and touching book. It Is Captain McLeod alive and feeling his oats. We have nothing comparable In Cape Breton lit? erature. Here is just a taste: This is Captain McLeod speaking from Cape Breton Captain OF THE FIVE MEN THAT CAME ON BOARD, one was a Swede, two Norwegians, a Liverpool Irishman, and a Nova Scotian, all pretty good men but Kelly of Liverpool who was a lazy growl. Dalrymple who be? longed to Maitland, Nova Scotia, a good fellow, small but tough as nails. He was very much pockmarked having the small pox out in Caloutte, E.I. Our new sec? ond mate was a Cape Breton Scotchman, loud voiced, bristling with profanity. Furling the foresail off the Horn in a gale of wind after reefing it twice, the men wet and cold. Big Mack was at the wheel. The sail got away from us; I said right out, "Let us take one yardarm at a time." He called out, "Hold your tongue, you dirty son ofa B., or 111 smash your face." I answered back, "You are not the man to do it, and more you are not fit to be second mate of a ship, for you don't know your job." The sail slatted to pieces. There was too much water on the deck for a scrap, but the chance came next mom- Your Nova Scotia Government Bookstore Outlet in Cape Breton Cape Breton Books First-Rate Literature A Wide Range of Books from Popular to Scholarly and Lewis Parker Cards: PORTRAIT OF CAPE BRETON HISTORY BOOKS ARE A GREA T GIFT ANY TIME OF THE YEAR "THE DOWNTOWN BOOKSTORE" 361 Charlotte St. Sydney B1P1E1 539-8551 ing while binding on a new foresail. I was astride the foreyard making fast the head earring. I said, "Light up the sail to windward." He at once said, "Shut up, or I will drive your teeth down your throat." "Well," said I, "let us finish binding the foresail, then we will see. For look, I am ready anytime, and the sooner the better." Coming down the weather forerigging, Big Mack said, "Challenge him out." "No," said I, "let him start the run if he wants to. I would sooner be left alone, for I never quarrel unless I have to." As soon as we struck the main deck, he yelled at me, "Come on now. Ill soon show you I am fit to be second mate on any ship." He was a very dark man called MacVicar, belonging to Cape Breton, a big well-built man. He raced for me, but I dodged him, and I tripped him sending him sprawling. While on his knees, I pasted him right and left in the face. He simply was a big rough bully. I let him up but he could not defend himself. He made wide swinging blows at me that I fended off every time. I hit him with an undercut, than landed one on the chin. He laid there. "Now," said I, "whose teeth are knocked out? Mine are alright. Do you want more? Re? member, I am ready for you any time." The fight was all knocked out of him. We had no music or dancing, not a musician in the crowd this time; and to make things worse. Big Mack was in the mate's watch. MacVicar, the second mate, sent me overhauling buntlines and Gas Tank Replacements & Repairs Sydney Radiator For Personal Efficient Service: Call 564-6699 20 Years a Family Business 2 Years Warranty on All Parts * We Accept VISA & MASTERCARD New Heaters & Radiators or Repairs We Service and Ship 121 Prince Street, Sydney Anywhere on cape Breton Island

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