THE AMERICAN WHALEMAN. 221 



are to be again visited is hidden from us, but very pleasant 

 memories remain of them. May every poor sea-worn mar- 

 iner, once in his life at least, enjoy, as I have done, a visit to 

 these desolate but blessed islands. The wind is fresh, and 

 we are dashing merrily on our course to the S.W. Our 

 night watches are rendered pleasant by a brilliant moon, 

 and the doctor's fiddle, with the dance and Hinton's tuneful 

 voice, enliven the early watch. A light-hearted, happy race 

 are old Ocean's sons, when they have half a chance. For 

 some time now I have been blessed with a spirit of con- 

 tentment, and have taken great satisfaction in merely living. 

 I can say, with Izaak Walton, " Every misery I miss is a new 

 mercy, so let us be of a thankful spirit." This spirit is in 

 striking contrast with the spirit of unrest which spoiled 

 greater external means of enjoyment in the tame safety of a 

 Pennsylvania farm. 



Dec. 9. Two sails in sight. One of these we spoke. She 



was the A , of Hudson, Captain F , out twenty-five 



months, with but eight hundred barrels of oil. She has been 

 most unfortunate. Her story is the old one of an unreason- 

 able captain, and a stubborn crew. It has not been with 

 them, as it must be for success 



"A long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether, 

 As sailors say at sea." 



But while the captain sailed his end of the ship, the crew 



anchored theirs ; and the A has but two or three of her 



original crew. The men were in a desperately mutinous 

 condition when the anchor was dropped in Payta, and they 

 refused even to furl the sails, as the crew represent the case. 

 The consul came to the rescue with a number of Spanish 

 soldiers (such poor creatures as put us in the guard-house !). 

 Yankee blood was up, and seizing irons, lances, and hand- 

 spikes, the sailors drove the Peruvianos pell-mell overboard. 



