7^ California 



*^WelI," said he, pointing toward the middle 

 of the harbor, "there is a trim Httle schooner 

 loaded with oranges for New York, and these 

 little fruiters are fast sailers. You had better 

 see her captain about a passage, for she must 

 be about ready to sail." So I jumped into the 

 dinghy and a sailor rowed me over to the fruiter. 

 Going aboard, I inquired for the captain, who 

 soon appeared on deck and readily agreed to 

 carry me to New York for twenty-five dollars. 

 Inquiring when he would sail, "To-morrow 

 morning at daylight," he replied, "if this 

 norther slacks a little; but my papers are made 

 out, and you will have to see the American 

 consul to get permission to leave on my ship." 



I immediately went to the city, but was un- 

 able to find the consul, whereupon I deter- 

 mined to sail for New York without any formal 

 leave. Early next morning, after leaving the 

 Island Belle and bidding Captain Parsons 

 good-bye, I was rowed to the fruiter and got 

 aboard. Notwithstanding the north wind was 

 still as boisterous as ever, our Dutch captain 

 [ 171 ] 



