He was once tried for his life in Charleston, South
Carolina, and though acquitted, yet he was so frightened that he
never would show himself in the United States again; and I could not
persuade him that he could never be tried a second time for the same
offence. He said he had got safe off from the breakers, and was too
good a sailor to risk his timbers again.
Though I knew what his life had been, yet I never had the
slightest fear of him. We always got along very well together, and,
though so much stronger and larger than I, he showed a respect for
my education, and for what he had heard of my situation before
coming to sea. "I'll be good friends with you," he used to say, "for
by-and-by you'll come out here captain, and then you'll haze me well!"
By holding well together, we kept the officer in good order, for he
was evidently afraid of Nicholas, and never ordered us, except when
employed upon the hides. My other companions, the Sandwich
Islanders, deserve particular notice.
A considerable trade has been carried on for several years between
California and the Sandwich Islands, and most of the vessels are
manned with Islanders; who, as they, for the most part, sign no
articles, leave whenever they choose, and let themselves out to cure
hides at San Diego, and to supply the places of the men of the
American vessels while on the coast.
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