The Catalina
had several Kanakas on board, who were immediately besieged by the
others, and carried up to the oven, where they had a long pow-wow, and
a smoke. Two Frenchmen, who belonged to the Rosa's crew, came in,
every evening, to see Nicholas; and from them we learned that the
Pilgrim was at San Pedro, and was the only other vessel now on the
coast. Several of the Italians slept on shore at their hide-house; and
there, and at the tent in which the Fazio's crew lived, we had some
very good singing almost every evening. The Italians sang a variety of
songs- barcarollas, provincial airs, etc.; in several of which I
recognized parts of our favorite operas and sentimental songs. They
often joined in a song, taking all the different parts; which produced
a fine effect, as many of them had good voices, and all seemed to sing
with spirit and feeling. One young man, in particular, had a
falsetto as dear as a clarionet.
The greater part of the crews of the vessel's came ashore every
evening, and we passed the time in going about from one house to
another, and listening to all manner of languages.
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