WHALING VOYAGE. 
211 
journey to the port, seeing no other persons about, and 
knowing that I was not likely to obtain redress without 
great trouble and expense ; therefore, after having abused 
the old women in English, which they did not under- 
stand, I sallied forth on my journey, finding my way 
easily enough, it being light. When I arrived at the 
port I recounted my night's adventure to the persons I 
found there, which excited the commiseration of some, 
the laughter of others, and the blame of many. 
After having remained at this place for about fourteen 
days, we, on the 16th of February 1831, weighed anchor, 
and spread our sails to catch the gentle winds which 
constantly blow here, to waft us from Coquimbo and 
from our newly-made friends, all of whom had behaved 
so kindly that we felt on our departure as if we were 
leaving a second home. But we were soon outside the 
land, and on the great and beautiful Pacific Ocean, where 
our newly-made woes were soon scattered to the winds 
amidst the variety of interesting scenes with which 
we now became surrounded. At day-break the vast 
Cordilleras were in sight, appearing to reach to “high 
heaven — below, the irregular and desert shore hemmed 
in the great ocean, which now swarmed with living crea- 
tures. The humpbacked whale sported in the smooth 
water, his polished skin glistening in the rays of the 
scorching sun ; seals also, at a small distance from the 
shore, were lying as if asleep upon the surface, basking 
in the heat. Hundreds of large albacore and bonito 
now crowded about our vessel, and gave employment to 
those who could be spared from the duties of the ship, in 
