Page:Twenty years before the mast - Charles Erskine, 1896.djvu/149

 "It ate the food it ne’er had eat, And round and round it flew. The ice did split with a thunder-fit; The helmsman steered us through!

"And a good south wind sprung up behind, The albatross did follow, And every day, for food or play, Come to the mariner’s hollo!

"In mist or cloud, on mast or shroud, It perched for vespers nine; While all the night, through fog-smoke white, Glimmered the white moonshine."

We left the Vincennes on the 21st of February, standing north. The 22d being Washington’s birthday, the old commodore showed his patriotism by having all  hands called to splice the mainbrace. We were now short of water and were put on half-allowance.

The happiest man on board our ship was John Sac, a New Zealand chief. His native name was Puatti. He left his home on the island, about ten years previous to  our visit there, in an American whaler. During this time he had made two whaling voyages from New Bedford:  one to the coast of Japan, the other to the Arctic seas. He had also made one voyage to Cronstadt, one to Havre, and two to Liverpool. John was every inch a man, an excellent sailor, and a jolly good fellow. His form was manly and robust, and his face, like many of  the natives, was elaborately tattooed. In the estimation of his countrymen he presented quite a noble appearance. He was very fond of his home, and enthusiastic