The royal yards were then struck, tackles got upon the
yard-arms and the stay, the long-boat hoisted out, a large anchor
carried astern, and the ship moored. Then the captain's gig was
lowered away from the quarter, and a boat's crew of fine lads, between
the ages of fourteen and eighteen, pulled the captain ashore. The
gig was a light whale-boat, handsomely painted, and fitted up with
cushions, etc., in the stern sheets. We immediately attacked the
boat's crew, and got very thick with them in a few minutes. We had
much to ask about Boston, their passage out, etc., and they were
very curious to know about the life we were leading upon the beach.
One of them offered to exchange with me; which was just what I wanted;
and we had only to get the permission of the captain.
After dinner, the crew began discharging their hides, and, as we had
nothing to do at the hide-houses, we were ordered aboard to help them.
I had now my first opportunity of seeing the ship which I hoped was to
be my home for the next year. She looked as well on board as she did
from without. Her decks were wide and roomy, (there being no poop,
or house on deck, which disfigures the after part of most of our
vessels,) flush, fore and aft, and as white as snow, which the crew
told us was from constant use of holystones.
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