890 PLANS OF OUR CREW FOR THE FUTURE. 



on other than his own exertions for support. A more 

 self-reliable set of men never drew breath than those 

 who were now around me. One and all felt per- 

 fectly able to maintain themselves respectably, if 

 health were vouchsafed to them by the Creator ; and 

 all had their plans. The first we will consider is 

 that of the Massachusetts men — they forming by far 

 the largest class. Although they mooted a hundred 

 difi:erent channels in which they would direct their 

 energies, there was a strong under-current pervading 

 the whole, which bespoke whaling as their chief 

 point, though many declared this their dernier resort, 

 only to be engaged in by them from extreme neces- 

 sity. Some of them thought that the whaling busi- 

 ness was becoming too poor to follow, and declared 

 their intention of emigrating to Oregon or Kansas, 

 in quest of gold, should the accounts from those re- 

 gions continue to hold out the same favorable induce- 

 ments they had already done. 



The second class whom we shall consider is, that 

 formed of prodigal sons — a proportionably numer- 

 ous one. Most of this class had left home with a 

 desire to see the world, and a hope of returning with 

 both pockets full of money, to astonish the "old 

 folks at home," and, if necessary, to be expended 

 for their comfort. Their bright anticipations not 

 having been fulfilled, they were ashamed to go home ; 

 and, although we may doubt the wisdom of such a 

 course, there is an honorable pride attaching to it, 

 that cannot fail to command respect. Most of them 

 had companions to whom they were attached during 

 the voyage, and they determined that they would 

 embark together to some foreign port or other 



