246 WHALING AND f I S R I ft 



CHAPTER XIV. 



LIBERTY "The Massowah Vessel She wants a Hand I go 

 alongside The Vessel is "searched We sail The trip to the 

 Mauritius The Crew The Captain Discipline The Land 

 Port Louis Harbor I gain an unexpected Friend I take 

 charge of the Captain's "Boat A trip to Tombo Bay Paul 

 and Virginia The Island Its state under the French 

 Under British rule Malabar Apprentices Malabar Town 

 The Natives Chinese. 



To return to our own ship. On the fourth day 

 after our arrival in port we were allowed a run 

 ashore. No one of the crew but myself was the 

 possessor of a cent of money. But all had what 

 is called " trade," such as calico, tobacco, beads, 

 etc., which they could here readily barter for such 

 purchases as they desired to make. 



When we first anchored in the harbor, 1 noticed 

 a large vessel with French colors flying, also at 

 anchor. On inquiry, one of the natives informed 

 ne she was from Massowah, and had on board a 

 sargo of horses. She hailed from Bourbon, but I 

 was told was now bound to the Isle of Franco. 

 She was to sail in a very few days, and I deter- 

 mined to make an effort to sail in her, as this 

 seemed to me the surest chance for effecting my 



