I went down to the boats when they first came ashore.

The men only spoke French, and they paid me a dollar to go round with them to make their purchases.

They took them, and also the water, off in their own boats; which surprised me, for they were very handsome boats, much more handsome than I have seen in any ship that ever came here.

I said that it would cost them but a very small sum to send the barrels off in the native boats, but they insisted upon taking them themselves.
"I don't know which way they sailed, because I went home as soon as they went away from the quay, but the boatmen will be able to tell me." He went away and talked with some of the negro boatmen, and soon returned, saying that she sailed westward.
"At what time did she sail ?" "It was just getting dark, senor, for they said that they could scarcely make her out, but she certainly went west." "Well, all you have to do now, Pedro, is to hire a pilot.

Get the best man that you can find.