masses like those we saw, by every gale, and sent wandering round
the world.

When we arrived within about three miles of the landing-place, we
saw a boat coming off, so we immediately hove-to and awaited her
arrival. There was no question of anchoring; indeed, there
seldom is in these vessels, unless they are going to make a long
stay, for they are past masters in the art of "standing off and
on." The boat came alongside--a big, substantially-built craft
of the whale-boat type, but twice the size--manned by ten sturdy-
looking fellows, as unkempt and wild-looking as any pirates.
They were evidently put to great straits for clothes, many
curious makeshifts being noticeable in their rig, while it was so
patched with every conceivable kind of material that it was
impossible to say which was the original or "standing part."
They brought with them potatoes, onions, a few stunted cabbages,
some fowls, and a couple of good-sized pigs, at the sight of
which good things our eyes glistened and our mouths watered.
Alas! none of the cargo of that boat ever reached OUR hungry
stomachs. We were not surprised, having anticipated that every
bit of provision would be monopolized by our masters; but of
course we had no means of altering such a state of things.

The visitors had the same tale to tell that seems universal--bad
trade, hard times, nothing doing. How very familiar it seemed,
to be sure. Nevertheless, it could not be denied that their sole
means of communication with the outer world, as well as market
for their goods, the calling whale-ships, were getting fewer and
fewer every year; so that their outlook was not, it must be
confessed, particularly bright. But their wants are few, beyond