Then came a half a dozen newspapers, the last of which gave
notice of Thanksgiving, and of the clearance of "ship Alert, Edward H.
Faucon, master, for Callao and California, by Bryant, Sturgis & Co."
No one has ever been on distant voyages, and after a long absence
received a newspaper from home, who cannot understand the delight that
they give one. I read every part of them- the houses to let; things
lost or stolen; auction sales, and all. Nothing carries you so
entirely to a place, and makes you feel so perfectly at home, as a
newspaper. The very name of "Boston Daily Advertiser" sounded
hospitably upon the ear."
The Pilgrim discharged her hides, which set us at work again, and
in a few days we were in the old routine of dry hides- wet
hides- cleaning- beating, etc. Captain Faucon came quietly up to me,
as I was at work, with my knife, cutting the meat from a dirty hide,
asked me how I liked California, and repeated- "Tityre, tu patulae
recubans sub tegmine fagi." Very apropos, thought I, and, at the
same time, serves to show that you understand Latin. However, a kind
word from a captain is a thing not to be slighted; so I answered him
civilly, and made the most of it.
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