LEAVES FROM A LOG. 4<73 



nearly new, remarkable for neatness and even taste. Few men who 

 possess a form that sets off dress to advantage, are negligent with re- 

 gard to personal appearance, in whatever situation of life they are 

 placed. The same motive that induces the handsome dandy to spend 

 two or three hours at his toilet, causes the well-looking foremast-man 

 of a line-of-battle ship to take pains in his apparel. This, too, may be 

 said of well-made negroes, priests, and even Quakers. 



The schooner I sailed in had anchored lower down in the river to 

 take in a cargo of mules, and as some time would elapse before the 

 forage could be cut and the animals shipped, I had plenty of time to 

 stroll about the town and adjoining places before it was necessary to 

 return to the craft. It was burning hot, and being rather fatigued, 

 I sought the shelter of a thick-spreading tree amidst a jungle, through 

 a bush of which I could discern the waters of the Orinoco, with 

 their forest fringes, and the many-coloured birds that flitted from 

 bank to bank. 



Scarcely was I laid down, when I heard the sound of voices, which 

 I immediately recognized as belonging to the ferocious-looking cap- 

 tain and the Dutchman, who acted as auction eer's-clerk. They 

 entered into another part of the copse, and without seeing me, be- 

 gan their conversation ; it was of a kind not intended for a third pair 

 of ears. However, I thought there was more danger in quitting the 

 spot after their conference had commenced than remaining. This re- 

 spectable pair spoke what is called ee Plattdeutsch," a kind of German 

 patois, in which at one time I could discourse fluently, and yet un- 

 derstand. Whether they conversed in low German because the cap- 

 tain was a German, or for secrecy, knowing this vernacular to be 

 little understood in the New World, or from both these causes, I know 

 not ; but I will give the substance of their discourse in English, omit- 

 ting the oaths (many of them quite untranslatable), with which these 

 men embroidered their discourse. 



" Is it possible," said the Dutchman, " that you can resolve about 

 sinking the " Meerchaumer"* in the Orinoco ? What can induce 

 you to do so ?" 



" The brigantine," replied the captain, " is rather a dull sailer ; 

 besides, she begins to be too well-known I would not venture again 

 in* the ' blue- water' for fear of the English cruisers; besides, my 

 agent has bought us a sharp-built Baltimore schooner, which is wait- 

 ing for us at Angostura." 



" Why do you not," rejoined the Dutchman, " sell the brigantine ; 

 she will fetch three or four thousand dollars, which will be some- 

 thing to share amongst us." 



"Dutchman-like," said the captain; "you are always thinking 

 how to make the most of everything. You don't consider, that by 

 securing our money, and getting the carpenter to bore a hole in her 

 before we get to Angostura, we shall avoid some awkward inquiries 

 respecting a few captures we have made, that might induce even the 

 Colombian authorities (indulgent and negligent as they are), to string 

 us up at the yard-arm. We found bribing the officers at Yaya, to let 



* This word signifies sea-skimmer, and figuratively a pirate. 

 M.M. No. 101. 3 P 



