I replied.

"See here, Murray, I know all about your deserting. Come down to the
house and stay until we can get you away."

No, I would not take any chances in a boarding-house.

"You want to ship, don't you? Come with me and I will put you on a
vessel right off."

"How much in advance?"

"Eighteen dollars," he answered.

Then I told him how I was fixed, and also that he could ship me and keep
all the advance money for his trouble.

CHAPTER X

THE SPORT OF THE WAVES

We at once went to the vessel. The captain, after asking a few
questions, took us into the cabin, and I signed the articles for a
voyage to Richmond, Va., as an able seaman, at fifteen dollars a month.
I was then given an advance note for eighteen dollars, which I handed to
the runner. I felt perfectly safe then, knowing that the note was not
payable until just forty-eight hours after the vessel left port. That
fact would prevent him from giving me up for the reward from the
frigate. My new vessel was a swift-sailing American clipper bark--the
name I have forgotten. The slaves were bringing large bags of coffee on
their backs and dropping them on deck. In a couple of days the cargo was
completed. There being a fair wind, the topsails were hoisted and
sheeted borne alongside the dock. The lines to the dock were cast off,
and our voyage to the United States began. I was aloft, loosing the main
royal, as we passed close by the old Madagascar. I took off my old straw
hat and waved it at the men on deck as they watched the Yankee clipper
go past. I was perfectly safe then. Within an hour we had passed the
Sugar Loaf. That was the last time in my life that I was to see the
beautiful harbour of Rio de Janeiro.

What a contrast between the bark and the brig Grenfalls! It was child's
play to steer now. A slight movement of the wheel would keep the vessel
on the course. We had dry quarters on deck, fine weather, and plenty of
good food and water. The only thing unusual that occurred was the large
number of flying-fish that dropped on deck during the night-time. As
many as fifty would be found in the morning. They are about the size of
fresh-water herring. While flying they appear like streaks of bright
silver. The flight is only for a short distance, however. As soon as
their wings become dry they drop at once. The dolphins are their
greatest enemy. In the equatorial regions, or "doldrums," as it is
called, we had the usual experience--the sea