"
There is a story current among seamen, that a beef-dealer was
convicted, at Boston, of having sold old horse for ship's stores,
instead of beef, and had been sentenced to be confined in jail,
until he should eat the whole of it; and that he is now lying in
Boston jail. I have heard this story often, on board other vessels
beside those of our own nation. It is very generally believed, and
is always highly commended, as a fair instance of retaliatory justice.
Wednesday, May 18th. Lat. 9 deg. 54' N., long. 113 deg. 17' W., The
north-east trades had now left us, and we had the usual variable
winds, which prevail near the line, together with some rain. So long
as we were in these latitudes, we had but little rest in our watch on
deck at night, for, as the winds were light and variable, and we could
not lose a breath, we were all the watch bracing the yards, and taking
in and making sail, and "humbugging" with our flying kites. A little
puff of wind on the larboard quarter, and then - "larboard fore
braces!" and studding-booms were rigged out, studding-sails set alow
and aloft, the yards trimmed, and jibs and spanker in; when it would
come as calm as a duck-pond, and the man at the wheel stand with the
palm of his hand up, feeling for the wind.
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