Page:Autobiography of Rear Admiral Charles Wilkes.djvu/61

35 and sleep on board. This was the case with our crew and just at the time of the visit they had all gone to their dinner. Everything was opened, the caps of the blinds and the sliding doors removed and a thorough search instituted. A few cigars were found in the passengers' berth which had been dropped and gave great hopes of success. They redoubled their efforts, but these were all. The demijohns were turned aside and over, but only one or two showed any signs of Eau de Vin, which, the moment I saw, I was ready to get glasses & fill as far as it went. This was pronounced excellent and I adroitly apologized that I regret there was not more of it. I can scarcely recall the situation I was in without thinking of the game of "hot butter, blue beans" and as the Searchers peered into everything they were either very cold and, at times, very hot. After an hour they became satisfied they could find nothing and then I underwent an examination, a variety of questions being put to me, some of which I could not understand, intentionally, and others I answered as a boy would naturally do when engaged in playing a trick. Finally they all took their departure and I felt greatly relieved for my conscience was greatly opposed to the deception practiced, if such it was. The Consignees were anxious to reward me but I refused accepting of anything & frankly told them I could not be induced to go through the like again for love or money. The Ship had been saved from confiscation.

After this I obtained leave & passed a fortnight with my brother in Paris and had a charming time of it. He went to join my uncle & aunt & made the tour of Europe. I saw many of my former friends who were equally kind to me, but I avoided any idea of visiting royalty. When I returned to Havre I went again to my duties with a very different feeling from that which I had experienced in the Hibernia. All the crew welcomed my return as well as the Capt and Mate and I found my situation pleasant. In due time we obtained our Cargo and prepared for our departure or return to New York. At Havre I had made many acquaintances through my cousin, who was there in a counting house, among nearby English families and the time passed very agreeably.

Our voyage home was a very lengthened one of 81 days—having encountered a series of heavy gales and lost some of our spars and sails. The outer sheathing of our stern had, among other things, been washed off on which was the name of the Emulation, and was, unfortunately, picked up by another vessel which arrived before us and reported it. This naturally created a great deal of anxiety on the part of my family and friends, but in a few days the Emulation was reported below, which relieved them & perhaps made my welcome back more joyous and happy and although they had given the ship up yet it relieved the intense feeling of anxiety my dearest father had undergone. This was the last voyage I made in the merchant service.