88 KEDGE ANCHOR DESERTS. 



accumulate an inclependeuce; but, unfortunately, 

 they are too apt to imbibe a taste for that curse of 

 this country, rum, and live from hand to mouth, 

 until, becoming unsettled and weary, they embark 

 aboard another whaler, and in time get home, having 

 little or nothing due them, after a voluntary exile of 

 eight or ten years from home and friends. 



On the second liberty-day, given to the larboard 

 watch, Kcdge Anchor took French leave and fled to 

 the bush for concealment. For some days we saw 

 nothing of him ; but, after a week'vS absence, he was 

 at the beach, very anxious to get aboard on any con- 

 ditions. He returned miserably filthy and covered 

 with vermin ; his clothing almost gone, and what 

 he had left was all of one color, from wallowing in 

 his various sleeping places. Whilst ashore, he was 

 under the guidance of a fellow, who, by flaming 

 accounts of the condition of the country, induced 

 him to desert, intending to apply to our captain for 

 his berth. On Kedge's return, he was greeted with 

 laughter, in which he heartily joined; and, as it was 

 impossible to get angry at him, he escaped with a 

 reprimand ; tlie captain at the same time assuring 

 him, that if, at any future time, he repeated the 

 attempt, he would not allow him to return aboard. 

 What efiect this had we shall discover as we proceed. 



At 10| A. M. on the morning of February 12th, 

 the ship James Allen, and barque Henry M. Crapo, 

 hove up their ground tackle and stood out to sea. 

 The captain of the James Allen had been vaunting 

 of the speed of his ship, and confidently asserting that 

 she would outsail any ship or barque in the harbor, 

 he issued a challenge. We hove up at 11 o'clock. 



