Unless the captain or
agent were in the boat, we had no officer with us, and often had
fine times with the passengers, who were always willing to talk and
joke with us. Frequently, too, we were obliged to wait several hours
on shore; when we would haul the boat up on the beach, and leaving one
to watch her, go up to the nearest house, or spend the time in
strolling about the beach, picking up shells, or playing hopscotch,
and other games, on the hard sand. The rest of the crew never left the
ship, except for bringing heavy goods and taking off hides; and though
we were always in the water, the surf hardly leaving us a dry thread
from morning till night, yet we were young, and the climate was
good, and we thought it much better than the quiet, hum-drum drag
and pull on board ship. We made the acquaintance of nearly half of
California; for, besides carrying everybody in our boat,- men, women,
and children,- all the messages, letters, and light packages went by
us, and being known by our dress, we found a ready reception
everywhere.
At San Pedro, we had none of this amusement, for, there being but
one house in the place, we, of course, had but little company.
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