134 FRESH MEAT SCARCE. 



transpired that there had been trouble aboard of her, 

 and that part of her crew were iu irons. Their cap- 

 tain left the town and went aboard, and found that 

 they refused to do duty unless liberty was allowed to 

 them. After some quibbling he consented, and they 

 came ashore. Five of her men deserted, three of 

 them getting clear; but the other two were traced by 

 the natives, and apprehended by the police. One 

 also was cauijht who bolted from the Allen. 



Whilst in this port we had very little, in fact, 

 scarce any, fresh meat. The reason assigned was its 

 scarcity ; but the Wavelett's crew were all the time 

 well supplied, and I cannot reconcile the two circum- 

 stances. We certainly needed it, having been from 

 home fifteen months, and having had it in but one 

 port. Few potatoes either were to be had here, and 

 in lieu of them we carried to sea ruta baga turnips, 

 which were mostly eaten by the pigs. To make 

 amends for the absence of fresh meat, a supply of 

 fish was contracted for with an American — a deserter 

 from a whaler, years since, who has married and 

 squatted down here, where he sustains himself by 

 fishing and boating. These fish, in appearance and 

 taste were very much like those known as porgies at 

 home ; they were well enough occasionally, but a 

 continual fish diet, than which I know of nothing 

 more tiresome, soon clogged our appetites, and the 

 supply, in consequence, far exceeded the demand. I 

 well remember our second mate's remark on this 

 occasion — that it would take two men and a boy to 

 haul oiF his shirt, as he had eaten so many fish that 

 the bones stuck through his skin. 



From this time up to Noveniber the 5th, we were 



