Accordingly, things took a new aspect; and before two o'clock this
work, which was in a fair way to last two days, was done; and five
of us went a fishing in the jolly-boat, in the direction of Point
Pinos; but leave to go ashore was refused. Here we saw the Loriotte,
which sailed with us from Santa Barbara, coming slowly in with a light
sea-breeze, which sets in towards afternoon, having been becalmed
off the point all the first part of the day. We took several fish of
various kinds, among which cod and perch abounded, and F--- (the
ci-devant second mate,) who was of our number, brought up with his
hook a large and beautiful pearl-oyster shell. We afterwards learned
that this place was celebrated for shells, and that a small schooner
had made a good voyage, by carrying a cargo of them to the United
States.
We returned by sun-down, and found the Loriotte at anchor, within
a cable's length of the Pilgrim. The next day we were "turned-to"
early, and began taking off the hatches, overhauling the cargo, and
getting everything ready for inspection. At eight, the officers of the
customs, five in number, came on board, and began overhauling the
cargo, manifest, etc.
Pages:
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133