SECOND MATE LEAVES THE VESSEL. 145 



we should have been had we just captured a large 

 whale. 



On the same day our second officer, Mr. E , 



left us, and went ashore ; tlie reason he assigned 

 being his unwillingness to encounter the cold weather 

 on the coast of New Zealand, whither we were bound. 

 He was a man of a most amiable disposition, had a 

 superior intellect, and was thoroughly acquainted with 

 his profession — both as sailor and whaleman. He 

 had gained the respect and confidence of every man 

 aboard, and never had had occasion all the time 

 we were together to chide any of the crew, and as 

 his chest went over the side into the boat, all felt 

 that we had lost a friend. This was the second with- 

 drawal of members of our original crew from the 

 ship. Mr. E.'s intention was to remain ashore until 

 some whaler should arrive in need of an officer ; in 

 which case his well-known ability would easily 

 procure him a berth. When ready to sail, the cap- 

 tain brouo;ht an American aboard who had been in 

 these colonies for some years, and was slightly related 

 to the captain's lady. He was taken into the cabin 

 as fourth mate ; the former fourth officer receiving 

 the position of third mate, and the former third the 

 second mate's berth. All being in readiness, we 

 hove up our ground-tackle, and with a fresh breeze 

 on our quarter we bade adieu to Yasse. 



13 K 



