f a couple of knots an hour; so that, by the time it got
dark, we had sunk the island to windward, Captain Miles having caused
the royals to be hoisted, in order to take every advantage of the light
air, for we had to make the best of a north-east course on the starboard
tack.

Towards nine o'clock, however, the wind freshened, and as the navigation
was rather ticklish, we being not yet in the open sea, the lighter
canvas had to be taken in, the vessel proceeding during the remainder of
the night under double-reefed topsails, courses, topgallant-sails, and
her jib and spanker--for, these could be easily handed in case of any
sudden shift of wind, which frequently veers round without warning under
the lee of the land.

I, of course, only learnt all this afterwards, picking up my nautical
knowledge by degrees from my old friend Moggridge, who took me under his
tuition, promising to make a sailor of me ere the voyage was over, for I
was told to turn in by Captain Miles at nine o'clock, when the lights
were put out in the cabin.

In the morning, when I came on deck again, we were off Saint Vincent;
but, as the current and wind were both against us, although our port was
well in sight we had to beat up to make the harbour, not dropping our
anchor until late in the afternoon.

It was a beautiful spot, for we lay as it were in a circle of mountains,
the tall Souffriere with its volcano peak overtopping them all.

Although we arrived late, Captain Miles did not lose any time in
shipping his cargo of rum, going on shore immediately in his gig, which
was still hanging to the davits astern, not having been taken on board
with the other boats before leaving "my island," as I always call
Grenada. Soon afterwards, a couple of heavy launches manned by negroes
and each stored with several big puncheons came off to us, the rum being
at once hoisted in and lowered away into the hold--the operation being
achieved in less time nearly than I can describe it, for it was
necessary for us to be off again by nightfall to take advantage of the
land breeze; or else we might be detained at Saint Vincent another day.

Besides the puncheons of rum another piece of cargo was brought on
board. This subsequently caused quite a little commotion as well as
giving us all a good deal of entertainment.

Our new freight was a cow.

Captain Miles, you must know, was a bit of a gourmand, liking to have
good eating and drinking when he could get them