We
beat up against a strong head wind, under reefed top-sails, as far
as San Juan, where we came to anchor nearly three miles from the
shore, with slip-ropes on our cables, in the old south-easter style of
last winter. On the passage up, we had an old sea captain on board,
who had married and settled in California, and had not been on salt
water for more than fifteen years. He was astonished at the changes
and improvements that had been made in ships, and still more at the
manner in which we carried sail; for he was really a little
frightened; and said that while we had top-gallant sails on, he should
have been under reefed topsails. The working of the ship, and her
progress to windward, seemed to delight him, for he said she went to
windward as though she were kedging.
Tuesday, Oct. 20th. Having got everything ready, we set the agent
ashore, who went up to the mission to hasten down the hides for the
next morning. This night we had the strictest orders to look out for
south-easters; and the long, low clouds seemed rather threatening. But
the night passed over without any trouble, and early the next morning,
we hove out the long-boat and pinnace, lowered away the quarter-boats,
and went ashore to bring off our hides.
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