WE GO ABOARD THE VESSEL. 19 



is generally the case — men who talk loudly of their 

 ability ashore are ajjt to be inefficient at sea. 



And now, after remaining until wearied out, our 

 ship is ready to sail to-morrow. As is customary on 

 the da}^ before sailing, each man proceeds to his out- 

 fitter and procures his clothing ; the owners usually 

 allow to the foremast hands an advance of seventy- 

 five dollars, for which the foremast hand gives the 

 outfitter an order, and receives his clothing. The 

 Shark, or outfitter, charges double the price of good, 

 for worthless articles,whichmustbe taken at his prices, 

 as there is no redress. By the time the foremast hands' 

 board-bill and pocket-money are deducted from his 

 advance, the wardrobe he is able to procure is slender 

 and insufficient, so that in the course of a few months 

 he will be compelled to resort to the slop-chest, 

 where, if the ship has been successful, he will be 

 eagerly welcomed — the more so, as the Captain is 

 often interested in the profits of the slop-chest ; if 

 unsuccessful, and he has a liberal Captain, his neces- 

 sities will be supplied; if, on the other hand, he 

 should be parsimonious, scowling looks will be all 

 the relief he gets, and he will be forced to beg from 

 his shipmates, who will not allow him to suffer, 

 although the prudent are cautious, as in a three 

 years' voyage every man must be careful of his 

 effiscts, as they constitute his capital. 



Having procured our outfits about three o'clock in 

 the afternoon of Monday, July 23d, we went aboard, 

 desiring to pass one night on the vessel before she 

 sailed. Soon after we hauled out into the stream, 

 and were towed by a steamboat down to Clarke's 

 Point, where we let go our larboard anchor. During 



