Once or twice, when
our bullocks failed and we were obliged to make a meal upon dry
bread and water, it seemed like feeding upon shavings. Light and
dry, feeling unsatisfied, and, at the same time, full, we were glad to
see four quarters of a bullock, just killed, swinging from the
fore-top. Whatever theories may be started by sedentary men, certainly
no men could have gone through more hard work and exposure for sixteen
months in more perfect health, and without ailings and failings,
than our ship's crew, let them have lived upon Hygela's own baking and
dressing.
Friday, April 15th. Arrived, brig Pilgrim, from the windward. It was
a sad sight for her crew to see us getting ready to go off the
coast, while they, who had been longer on the coast than the Alert,
were condemned to another year's hard service. I spent an evening on
board, and found them making the best of the matter, and determined to
rough it out as they might; but my friend S--- was determined to go
home in the ship, if money or interest could bring it to pass. After
considerable negotiating and working, he succeeded in persuading my
English friend, Tom Harris,- my companion in the anchor watch- for
thirty dollars, some clothes, and an intimation from Captain Faucon
that he met should want a second mate before the voyage was up, to
take his place in the brig as soon as she was ready to go up to
windward.
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