372 TEE CRUISE OF TEE " CACEALOT:' 



own ship, and not in a long, snaky tank that, in the 

 language of the sailor, takes a header when she gets 

 outside the harbour, and only comes up two or three 

 times to blow before she gets home. 



Our only reason for visiting this place being to dis- 

 charge Captain Count's oil, and procure a sea-stock of 

 salt provisions and hard bread, those duties were taken 

 in hand at once. The skipper sold his venture of oil to 

 good advantage, being so pleased with his success that 

 he gave us all a good feed on the strength of it. 



As soon as the stores were embarked and everything 

 ready for sea, leave was given to all hands for twenty- 

 four hours, upon the distinct understanding that the 

 privilege was not to be abused, to the detriment of 

 everybody, who, as might be supposed, were anxious 

 to start for home. In order that there might be less 

 temptation to go on the spree generally, a grand picnic 

 was organized to a beautiful valley some distance from 

 the town. Carriages were chartered, an enormous 

 quantity of eatables and drinkables provided, and away 

 we went, a regular wayzgoose or bean-feast party. It 

 was such a huge success, that I have ever since won- 

 dered why such outings cannot become usual among 

 sailors on liberty abroad, instead of the senseless, vicious 

 waste of health, time, and hard-earned wages which is 

 general. But I must not let myself loose upon this 

 theme again, or we shall never get to sea. 



Liberty over without any trouble arising, and all 

 hands comfortably on board again, the news ran round 

 that we were to sail in the morning. So, after a good 

 night's rest, we cast loose from the wharf, and, with a 

 little assistance from the same useful tug that brought 

 us in, got fairly out to sea. All sail was set to a strong, 

 steady north-wester, and with yards canted the least 



