PROCURING WATER — LIBERTY DAT. 203 



is superior ; and, again, it has the advantage of being 

 two-thirds cheaper — the Hobartown boat costii)g 

 from thirty to fifty pounds, and the American fifteen 

 or twenty at the most. 



We had but little trouble in procuring water, for, 

 if so disposed, a ship can have it brought alongside ; 

 but if not, all that is necessary is, as we did, to tow 

 a raft of casks to the dock, fill them from a hose, 

 and then convey them back to the ship. The water 

 is of an excellent quality', and keeps sweet a long 

 time. 



As liberty was given every day, and the watches 

 were ashore alternately, the privilege of remaining 

 ashore during the night was extended to each indi- 

 vidual. For the convenience of those who were dis- 

 posed to return aboard, a boat was sent in at sun- 

 down; but it seldom brought oflf any of the liberty- 

 men. It was manned by the watch on duty ; so that 

 three-fourths of the ship's company might be ashore 

 every night. The boat generally returned before 

 midnight ; and it was customary for th-e crew that 

 manned it to sing a jolly heaving-song at the top of 

 their voices — all joining in the chorus; and the 

 nights being still and serene, the effect produced was 

 rather startling through the silent harbor. 



On the 5th of August all hands were aboard — 

 liberty having been discontinued — all preparations 

 made for sailing, and no intercourse allowed with 

 the shore. Many of our crew wished to provide 

 themselves with little articles for sea-use ; but the 

 captain, having all on board, determined to keep 

 them there, and took the execution of all their little 

 commissions upon himself. There was, however, no 



