"The more, the merrier," is the sailor's maxim; and
a boat's crew of a dozen could take off all the hides brought down
in a day, without much trouble, by division of labor; and on shore, as
well as on board, a good will, and no discontent or grumbling, make
everything go well. The officer, too, who usually went with us, the
third mate, was a fine young fellow, and made no unnecessary
trouble; so that we generally had quite a sociable time, and were glad
to be relieved from the restraint of the ship. While here, I often
thought of the miserable, gloomy weeks we had spent in this dull
place, in the brig; discontent and hard usage on board, and four hands
to do all the work on shore. Give me a big ship. There is more room,
more hands, better outfit, better regulation, more life, and more
company. Another thing was better arranged here: we had a regular
gig's crew. A light whale-boat, handsomely painted, and fitted out
with stern seats, yoke, tiller-ropes, etc., hung on the starboard
quarter, and was used as the gig. The youngest lad in the ship, a
Boston boy about thirteen years old, was coxswain of this boat, and
had the entire charge of her, to keep her clean, and have her in
readiness to go and come at any hour.
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