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178 one. The winds were this time propitious; and just three months after leaving Havre, the "Caroline" arrived safely at the Cape of Good Hope. Here a vessel of her character happened to be wanted by the Government, and the ship and cargo were forthwith turned into hard cash.

Cleveland now embarked for Batavia, and thence proceeded to Canton, where he purchased another vessel, only a little larger than the first, which he filled with a suitable cargo, determining to venture across the Pacific, and to try his fortunes on the north-west coast of America. His crew was now made up chiefly of deserters from the Indiamen, the worst class of seamen that could be found; but no others were then procurable. To make profit by the voyage, it was necessary to arrive before the American traders; and he resolved to set sail, although the north-east monsoon was raging. His course was to beat up along the coast of China, the small size of the vessel enabling him, in Chinese fashion, to keep so near the shore as to find shelter from the headlands. The voyage was considered impracticable by experienced seamen ashore; but Cleveland was not easily daunted. Even a mutiny, which broke out among his lawless crew, and which he quelled with great difficulty, failed to deter him from his purpose, and all obstacles were finally surmounted. The voyage was made, the ship and cargo again disposed of, and Cleveland embarked for Calcutta. Such was the beginning of a busy life of mercantile adventure, which Mr. Cleveland records in his amusing narrative.