Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 17.djvu/398



390 LETTERS OF ELIHU WRIGHT

try works washd overboard and some of her boats stove. The Alliance of New Bedford was upon her beam ends with her lower yards in the water for three-quarters of an hour. The Maro had five boats stove in in one gale and all her sails blown away. She had sprung her bowsprit and jib boom, fore top- mast, etc. The Globe likewise had a short spat with a jimmy lost double reeft main topsail and mizzen stay sail. Many others have been kicked about roughly.

We have reached no material injury in our spars or rigging, yet we have seen many hard squalls and gales.

We have spoke the Eagle several times on the coast, so that I have seen Job often. Their ship has been considerably leaky through the voyage. Some time in July she gained leaking to six or eight hard strokes an hour, so that she took no whale. The last we spoke her was the 6th of August, her leak rather gaining she was making the best of her way to port with the

golden to assist her in case of distress. The crew

were in good spirits and I do not doubt but they will reach some port where they can repair unless they should meet heavy weather.

We have had news that oil is very low. We heard that that which we sent home from Capedeverd's (Cape Deverd Islands) was sold at 53 cts. per gal., but then we have the consolation to think our voyage will not be so speedy but will have time to rise, so you see as "poor Richard" says : "Ever bitter has its honey" I mean sweet. I humbly hope and trust that you have finished your bog hay harvest and are nearly ready to begin sowing. After you have done that I would thank you to eat a few pears and peaches on my account and ask no questions.

P. S. I heard that some of the young blades made a short trip into the country and came back feet foremost. Tell them that if they were dismayed at sight of hemlock that they will never do for Cape Horn and had better not enter into Scrap Island service.