382 WHALING AND FI8HINO. 



packed and weighed; and the barrels finally 

 branded to show that they contain " 200 Ibs. mack 

 erel," No. 3 , 2, or 3, as the case may be. After foul 

 days detention, we set out upon another trip. This 

 time we were four weeks in filling up our vessel. 

 It was now getting cold. So upon our second re- 

 turn to port, I left the vessel, received the returns 

 for my labor, and with about forty dollars in my 

 pocket, took passage in a schooner bound to New 

 York. 



Shall I now make my pre-determined attempt to 

 remain ashore? was a question which incessantly 

 engaged my mind. It seemed almost like a vain 

 hope ; but I finally determined to make at least one 

 strong effort. If that failed it would be time 

 enough to think what should be done afterward 

 On my arrival in New York I procured myself 

 some " shore clothing," and for some days dili- 

 gently sought a situation of some kind. It was 

 not till this search for employment began, that I 

 was made fully aware how utterly useless a sailor 

 is for aught, except the most severe physical toil, 

 on shore. It was only now I began to suspect 

 that the habits of the ship had taken such entire 

 possession of me as to unfit me for any other life 

 than that of a sailor. Yet " a trial shall be made," 

 thought I. In New York I had no friends. 

 Wherever I applied for employment, I was asked 

 for references. Having none, it would next be 

 asked, "What did you do last?" An acknowl- 

 edgment that I had been a seaman was alwayi 



