AMERICAN WHALERS AT VASSE. 255 



The refreshments at this entertainment were coffee 

 and cake ; unlike that at Vasse, where spirituous 

 liquors flowed as freely down male and female 

 throats, as whiskey down an Irishman's gullet at a 

 wake. 



On the Thursday following was the anniversary 

 of their annual races, at which prizes are offered by 

 the government to the victor. These prizes are given 

 for the purpose of inducing the settlers to pay atten- 

 tion to the improvement of their stock. To avoid 

 the confusion and irregularity which generally pre- 

 vailed among the inhabitants on these occasions, and 

 in which our men would be too apt readily to join, 

 we hastened our departure ; and, accordingly, on 

 Tuesday, after having had our vessel searched by 

 the government officials, we got under weigh, and 

 stood down the bay towards Vasse. Soon after the 

 Iowa followed our example ; and, with a head wind, 

 which forced both of us to beat, we pursued the same 

 direction. We soon weathered our companion, and 

 left her far in the distance. The following morning, 

 at 11 o'clock, we let go our anchor off the town of 

 Vasse, where we found three barques and two 

 ships: all whalers — all carrying the star-spangled 

 banner — all belonging to Kew Bedford, and all, ex- 

 cept one, clippers. Every year the number of old- 

 fashioned ships is decreasing, and wedge-shaped craft 

 taking their place : the whaling-service (a branch of 

 commerce the last to countenance innovation) fast 

 yielding to the march of improvement, and adopting 

 the modern model — a long head, a clean run, and 

 a round stern. 



The next day liberty was allowed ; and, as there 



