The Portuguese continued, in these terms: "For eighteen months I vegetated in Auckland.

When the steamer arrived there I was able to leave it without being seen; but not a piastre, not a dollar in my pocket! In order to live I had to follow all trades--" "Even the trade of an honest man, Negoro ?" "As you say, Harris." "Poor boy!" "Now, I was always waiting for an opportunity, which was long coming, when the 'Pilgrim,' a whaler, arrived at the port of Auckland." "That vessel which went ashore on the coast of Angola ?" "Even the same, Harris, and on which Mrs.Weldon, her child, and her cousin were going to take passage.

Now, as an old sailor, having even been second on board a slave ship, I was not out of my element in taking service on a ship.

I then presented myself to the 'Pilgrim's' captain, but the crew was made up.

Very fortunately for me, the schooner's cook had deserted.