rbour, Owen landed, taking with him Dan and
Pompey. The purchase of the guns was an easy matter, as there were
plenty to be had, taken out of prizes. He chose two long brass guns,
9-pounders, and two short ones of heavier calibre. The stores were
quickly ordered, too; but to procure the men was more difficult. It
would be hopeless to expect to get them at all, were he particular as to
how he got them or what class of men he got. Still, if he could have
his choice, he would take a smaller number of good men rather than his
complement of inferior hands. There were, of course, crimps who would
be ready to supply him, and he was compelled to apply to one of these
personages, who promised to send him on board six or eight hands before
next morning. In the mean time Pompey met two old shipmates, blacks
like himself, for whom he could answer; and Dan fortunately found a
countryman of his own, also a trusty fellow. With these three hands
Owen returned to the ship, and the following day the guns and stores
were received on board, the former mounted on their carriages and the
latter stowed away. Sufficient hands only were wanting to enable him to
sail. His friend, the crimp, was as good as his word; which was not
surprising, considering that he was to be well paid for it. Towards
evening a boat came alongside with the crimp and six men, two of whom
only were sitting upright, while the rest were lying along the thwarts.
Jonas Jobson, the crimp, a big-boned mulatto, dressed in a broad-brimmed
hat, nankeen trousers, and a white jacket, dispensing with a shirt or
other clothing, came up the side.

"Dere dey are, cappen," he said, "prime seamen when dey come to demself,
and only just a little drunkee now. Dese two will answer for dem.
Here, you come up, Sam Tar, and you, Jack Noddin."

The two men summoned managed to get up the side, though it was very
evident that they were half-seas over. Still they answered for
themselves in a tolerably satisfactory manner, and assured the captain
that they knew the others, who were as good seamen as ever stepped--
only, when they could get a drop of liquor, they would. "There's no
denying of it," said Sam Tar, "and so do I--only I knows when to stop,
and they don't;" and Sam gave a lurch against Mr Jobson, which called
forth an angry rebuke from that gentleman. Owen was not, as may be
supposed, altogether satisfied, however. The men were hoisted on board
and laid on the deck. Exc