212 \VHALING AND FISHING. 



scorning, in thur robust health, all precautionary 

 measures, one night's stay ashore is in nearly 

 every case fatal, as was sadly proved by two of 

 our crew, who were so fool-hardy as to overstay 

 their time. 



Taking all things into consideration, although 

 I very strongly desired to leave the vessel, I con- 

 cluded not to expose my life here. Life, thought 

 I, is about all I have at this time to lose, and this 

 I had rather part with to better advantage and on 

 a more inviting occasion. 



As our stay was to be short, we had but half a 

 day's run ashore, one watch taking the forenoon, 

 the other the afternoon. This gave us time only 

 for an inspection of the barracks, a short ramble 

 along the shell-strown beach, and a bargain with 

 the natives for a quantity of cocoanuts and 

 bananas. 



The privates of the garrison are all natives, 

 sepoys, while the officers and musicians are 

 Europeans. The town is separated from the gar 

 rison by a little arm of the sea; and at the water- 

 side here, on the garrison side, are some huge 

 storehouses, containing naval stores for the French 

 squadron stationed in those waters. St. Mary's is 

 risited by but few vessels. It was formerly a 

 place of call for French Indiamen x but we were 

 told that it was no longer so. A few whalemen, 

 and an occasional French or English cruiser, with 

 hall a dozen bullock droghers, are the only 

 sels that enliven its harbors, 



