shore, was seized by armed republican
cruiser, on pretence of her occupation being
unlawful, and the crew (fpr whom Dick had
had the honour of cooking) and himself were
lodged in durance vile ; and the only chance
they had of escaping from perpetual imprisonment
was by entering the republican army;
and they were all enrolled in what was then
considered a very dashing dragoon regiment.
These sailor dragoons proved a rich subject
to Dick : he would amuse our humble fireside
for hours by his description of the disasters
which constantly befel these horse-
marines, without clothes, without food, and
almost without arms ; and the manoeuvres they
resorted to in order to keep themselves on
their saddles, and also to prevent chafing.
After a curious sort of campaign, these sailors
made their escape. Some got safe to Monte
Video, and were received on board an English
vessel; but the cause of Dick’s being on the
island, was his being some time after wrecked
here. He sailed from London in a small
sloop going on a sealing trip, and obtained
his old berth of cook. After cruising for
some time on the great Pacific Ocean, without
obtaining a single skin, they touched here
in hopes of being more successful; but got
on shore, and the vessel was totally wrecked.
Dick, preferring the sort of life led here to
that he had been accustomed to, and tired of
“ seeking the bubble reputation,” joined
Glass’s party; and on all our boating excursions
he resumes his old occupation of cook.
The last, and youngest of our party, is
named White. There is nothing very particular
in his history. He is an excellent
specimen of a young English sailor 5 and has
all their characteristic warmth of feeling, and
desperate courage, added to a simplicity almost
childish. He was always the companion
of my rambles whenever he could be spared
from his share of toil, his manner of expressing
his admiration of what he saw being
highly amusing. He was one of the crew of
“ The Blendenhall” Indiaman, which was
wrecked on a neighbouring island. He had
formed an attachment to one of the servant
girls on board $ and, in all the miseries they
had endured after that event, had been her con