d the schooner was left to my hands as fit
for any navigation as the whaler that rose and fell on our quarter.

But, as I have said, at half-past three in the afternoon, the breeze
began to sit in dark curls upon the water, and there was evidence enough
in the haziness in the west, and in the loom of the shoulders of vapour
in the dark-blue obscure there, to warrant a sackful for this capful
presently.

"I reckon," says the captain to me, after looking into the west, "that
we'd best knock off now. There's snow and wind yonder, and we'd better
see all snug while there's time."

He called to one of the men to tell the second mate to come up from
below and get the hatches on, and bringing me to the rail, he pointed to
a boat, and asked if that would do? I said yes, and thanked him heartily
for the gift, which was handsome, I must say, the boat being a very good
one, though, to be sure, he had got many times its value out of the
schooner; and a party of men were forthwith told off to get the boat
hoisted and stowed.

"Now, Mr. Rodney," said the captain, standing in the gangway, "how can I
serve you further?"

"Sir," said I, "you are very obliging. Two things I stand sadly in need
of: a chart of these waters and a chronometer."

"I'll send you a chart," said he, "that'll carry you as high as San
Roque; but I've only got one chronometer, sir, and can't spare him."

"Well then," said I, "if, when you get aboard, you'll give me the time
by your chronometer, I'll set my watch by it; but I'll thank you very
much for the chart. The tracings below are as shapeless as the moon
setting in a fog."

"You shall have the chart," said he, and then called to Wilkinson and
the two negroes.

"Lads," said he, "you're quite content, I hope?"

They answered "Yes."

"You've all three a claim upon me for the amount of what's owing ye,"
said he, "and when you turn up at New Bedford you shall have it--that's
square. I see fifteen hundred dollars a man on this job, if so be as ye
don't broach too thirstily as you go along. Mr. Rodney, Joe here's a
steady, 'spectable man, and'll make you a good mate. Cromwell and Billy
Pitt are black only in their hides; all else's as good as white."

He then shook me by the hand, and, calling a farewell to Wilkinson and
the negroes, scrambled into the chains and dropped into his boat, very
highly satisfied, I make no doubt, with the business he had done that
day.

A boat's crew were left behind to h