"To California 
"Well,” said he, pointing toward the middle 
of the harbor, “ there is a trim little 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 1 
