CHAPTER XXII
LIFE ON SHORE--THE ALERT
Saturday, July 18th. This day, sailed the Mexican hermaphrodite
brig, Fazio, for San Blas and Mazatlan. This was the brig which was
driven ashore at San Pedro in a southeaster, and had been lying at San
Diego to repair and take in her cargo. The owner of her had had a good
deal of difficulty with the government about the duties, etc., and her
sailing had been delayed for several weeks; but everything having been
arranged, she got under weigh with a light breeze, and was floating
out of the harbor, when two horsemen came dashing down to the beach,
at full speed, and tried to find a boat to put off after her; but
there being none on the beach, they offered a handful of silver to any
Kanaka who would swim off and take a letter on board. One of the
Kanakas, a fine, active, well-made young fellow, instantly threw off
everything but his duck trowsers, and putting the letter into his hat,
swam off, after the vessel. Fortunately, the wind was very light and
the vessel was going slowly, so that, although she was nearly a mile
off when he started, he gained on her rapidly.
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