Page:Narrative of a Voyage around the World - 1843.djvu/185

1837.] thought them excellent; but the shells being very thick, and the fruit small, they were as little prized as the grapes.

About twenty miles above the Starling's anchorage we found the water perfectly sweet; we therefore became not only relieved of the weight of this necessary article, but were enabled to luxuriate in draughts of the purest we had tasted for many weary months. To seamen such a luxury seldom occurs, and it is one a landsman can scarcely appreciate. I suspect, however, that the waters of the Sacramento would obtain their preference over all others.

It was otherwise, however, with solid provision. Of this we very soon fell short; and the nature of our duties prevented our seeking assistance with our guns. Twice we were compelled to despatch a boat for fresh supplies, and on each occasion were reduced to a much lower ebb than was either convenient or pleasant. Yet all was cheerfully submitted to, with the exception of one or two bad characters, who were sent to luxuriate on board the ship, as a punishment. They very soon wished themselves on the bad fare, as they termed it.

One boat had hardly quitted us before she fell in with a deer bathing, and to prevent the possibility of losing a regale, they put about ten balls into his head. They did not bring him back to us; time was too precious. They killed an elk near the K 2