WHALING AND FISHING. 



I hesitatingly replied that he was scarcely in 

 the odor of sanctity with those who had sailed 

 with him. 



" I suppose not. But if you can do your duty, 

 you need not be afraid of the Annie. If you can't 

 you had better never look this way again. If you 

 want me to ship you, come aboard to-morrow 

 morning at 10 o'clock, and sign the articles. The 

 wages are two pounds seven and sixpence, and 

 small stores." 



All this was said in a Scotch way, which I could 

 hardly understand, and I noticed that occasionally 

 when he spoke a word to his mate, it sounded like 

 anything else but English to me. But " what's 

 the odds, so long as you're happy," thought I; 

 and determined, no matter what was told me of 

 the officers, to go at least one trip in the little 

 craft. Accordingly, on the following morning I 

 signed the Annie's articles, binding myself to go 

 " to Algoa Bay, or Port Elizabeth ; thence to such 

 other ports on the coast of Africa as the captain 

 may direct; and return to Port Louis." 



The vessel was to sail in five days, and her.crew 

 was not wanted on board till the day before she 

 1 -)ft port. 1 had th erefore some days before me, 

 wherein to prepare myself for the voyage. I found 

 that wherever I happened among the seamen then 

 ashore, the news of my shipping in the Annie had 

 preceded me. Yarious were the comments made 

 upon this piece of rashness Those who were 

 well disposed toward me urged me to back out 



