Page:Autobiography of Rear Admiral Charles Wilkes.djvu/49

Rh unfit for his place. After a couple of hours hard work the ship was made safe, with the tops of all the light sails and some of the larger ones torn almost to shreds. The Captain suspected the cause and was not wanting in the grossest imputation on Dyson. It was such for me and after we had succeeded in obviating further disaster, the Capt suddenly turned upon me and asked me in the gruffest bulldog terms, "Well, youngster, what do you think of this?" I replied, "I thought it a fine breeze." He said, "D—n you, before you have [been] at Sea half as long as I have, you will call it anything but a fine breeze." I was a gainer by it; Dyson was disrated and I was saved from his brutality for the few remaining days of the voyage out.

We reached Havre in safety and went at once into dock. Mr Lafarge, an intimate friend of my father's, who had written him, came on board and solicited the Captain to let him take me on shore to his home for a few days. This was granted and I gladly got rid of the Ship Hibernia, determining in my own mind I would not rejoin her if I possibly could avoid it, and silent made my arrangements to get out of the way and off to Paris. My father had given me a letter of credit on Mr LaFarge, & my uncle, on my leaving, had sent me 480 in Napoleons, so that I was in funds. I quietly ordered myself citizens clothes to be made & as soon as they were finished I engaged my seat on the vélocifère for Paris, changed my clothes at the Tailor's and went direct to the Coach office, without any suspicion on the part of anyone of my intention, and was off to Paris and hoped I might escape detection. The gates passed, I began to assure myself of my safety and travelled to Paris, having obtained the direction of the House where Mr Lafarge put up, and, on presenting myself, was kindly received, though with some surprise. One of the Commis or clerks had seen me at Havre and I found myself in good quarters and, through him, Mr Lafarge was notified of my whereabouts.

I soon became intimate at various houses. The Baron Quinette [Nicholas Marie Quinette, Baron de Rochemont], who was in New York and intimate at my father's, had written to his family & given me a letter to his family. The Count D'Autrives, St. Jean Daugelty, & there were many others, all received me very kindly. The Marquise de Cubières, my godmother, was living in the Petite Ecuyer du Roi in the Place Carousel. All made me at home & I felt very happy & glad of my escape from the vessel & the brutal crew. I was, however, a deserter, and if the Capt had been disposed, might have been taken up by the Police and brought back, but I relied upon Lafarge to look out for me and prevent any action on the Captain's part. My name was on the Rolls of the Ship and I was to be accounted for on his return to New York.

This, my first visit to Paris, made an indelible impression on me. I had every amusement offered me, was indeed domesticated in their families, and enjoyed the many acquaintances I made, both boys & girls. Speaking French, I had every advantage and was made much of; this was all a round of pleasure. I was taken to the Tuillieries by the Marquis & Marquise de Cubières on the fête of St. Louis where I went in Court