Feb.] PRISON SCENE— SYMPTOMS OF A BLOODY CRISIS. 133 



about ten miles up the river. From the channel of the river may be 

 caught a great variety of fish, either with a seine or a hook and line. 



As soon as we had moored the vessel, we commenced overhauling 

 her sails and rigging, which had become considerably impaired since 

 our refitting at Coquimbo, in the preceding August, as mentioned in 

 Chap. VIII. We also cleared out the hold, and resalted our seal-skins ; 

 while a part of the crew were cutting wood, and others were engaged 

 in scraping and repainting the vessel. These necessary duties were 

 not completed until the 13th of February, when we once more found 

 ourselves in readiness for sea. But owing to the neap tides, and the 

 filling up of the bar, which left but six feet of water above it, we were 

 compelled to delay our departure for a short time. 



February \%th. — As the crew required a little relaxation, I now 

 gave them liberty to go on shore, and enjoy a stroll about the town 

 and the adjacent country. At about five o'clock in the afternoon, I 

 also went on shore myself, for the purpose of calling on a friend of 

 mine who resided there ; an English gentleman, by the name of Henry 

 Williams, Esq. The moment I landed, I learned that the governor 

 had just arrived in town, it being his first appearance there since I 

 had been in port. I therefore informed my friend Williams that I 

 thought it proper to pay my respects to him immediately. He agreed 

 with me that such a step was strictly in accordance with etiquette, 

 and would be received as a compliment by his excellency. 



We accordingly set off together for the governor's palace ; but had 

 scarcely proceeded fifty rods, before we were met by a military guard, 

 commanded by a sergeant, who ordered me to accompany them to the 

 guard-house, without assigning any reason for such an arbitrary pro- 

 cedure, except that he was acting according to orders. This, I thought, 

 was meeting my intended civility with a vengeance, and astonished as 

 I was, I could not forbear asking my friend if this was a specimen of 

 the courtesy and etiquette to which he had just alluded. He, how- 

 ever, was as much surprised and chagrined as myself ; and told the 

 officer that he should accompany me, and demand an explanation of 

 the governor. 



The guard-house, as this fellow called it, was neither more nor less 

 than a prison, and the reader may guess my astonishment, when, on 

 entering its gloomy walls, I found twenty-two of my crew, as fine 

 fellows as ever fought for "free trade and sailors' rights" seated 

 around in different parts of the room, under guard like myself, and the 

 governor sitting as judge and jury. My English friend was at my 

 side, and as we advanced, his excellency made an attempt to rise and 

 bid me welcome. By this time, however, I had received some signifi- 

 cant glances from my brave men, accompanied with such meaning 

 gestures as could not be misunderstood, each man having his right 

 hand in his bosom. I instantly saw how the land lay, and knowing 

 the mettle and fidelity of my men, I turned my back on his excellency, 

 without deigning to notice his proffered courtesy, and addressed my 

 men — " Well, my lads, what are you doing here V 



Every one was on his feet as I spoke, and each had, as it were 



