The crew of
the brig's boat were Sandwich Islanders, but one of them, who spoke
a little English, told us that she was the Loriotte, Captain Nye, from
Oahu, and was engaged in this trade. She was a lump of a thing- what
the sailors call a butter-box. This vessel, as well as the Ayacucho,
and others which we afterwards saw engaged in the same trade, have
English or Americans for officers, and two or three before the mast to
do the work upon the rigging, and to rely upon for seamanship, while
the rest of the crew are Sandwich Islanders, who are active, and
very useful in boating.
The three captains went ashore after dinner, and came off again at
night. When in port, everything is attended to by the chief mate;
the captain, unless he is also supercargo, has little to do, and is
usually ashore much of his time. This we thought would be pleasanter
for us, as the mate was a good-natured man and not very strict. So
it was for a time, but we were worse off in the end; for wherever
the captain is a severe, energetic man, and the mate is wanting in
both these qualities, there will always be trouble.
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