Another piece, and of nearly the same size in each ear, and kept in by the rim of the ear, giving them a hideous appearance. These pieces of wood, when first inserted in the lips and ears of the children, are only small plugs, gradually increasing in size, until by the time the individual arrives at maturity they are of full size. There were several small children and young girls among them, all of whom had the wooden ornaments in the several stages of progression. Some of the children had pretty features, but entirely without expression; and the old women were the most horrid looking creatures for human beings that I ever saw. The Bay of Rio Janeiro presents a beautiful panorama throughout the year.
After visiting the Indians, we took a turn around the country, and stopped at a farm-house which was the residence of an elderly Portuguese lady. Our company consisted of three midshipmen with myself. The old lady was very anxious that we should spend the afternoon with her, which of course we could not do, as we must be on board our ship by sunset. She insisted, however, on our getting up into her orange trees and helping ourselves to as many oranges as we could carry. We availed ourselves of her generous invitation, and mounted the trees. Whoever has had the pleasure of plucking a ripe orange from a tree * Full and official account will be found in the next chapter. > O bi CO CO bi bi bi >-( B o on its native soil, can alone appreciate the luxury and deliciousness of the fruit.
On our return, we had an opportunity of seeing another sight, which was quite interesting, to me, at least. It was the landing of a cargo of slaves just arrived from the Coast of Africa. They looked like anything but human creatures, and I think that if I had ever had any doubts about the negro belonging to our race, I am sure that such doubts would now be confirmed. Here were about two hundred creatures, their bodies hardly as thick through as a man's thigh; their legs and arms like four projecting spindles, and their countenances a perfect blank. "When landed, they were entirely naked, but immediately clothed with a shirt and a pair of trowsers; that is, the males, but the females wore a coarse cotton frock.
They were all marched into a square purposely fitted up for their reception. Their food, which was boiled beans, was carried in large copper kettles, which were placed in the middle of the square, a wooden spoon given to each with which to help themselves as well as they could. We sailed from Rio, and arrived at Boston about July 1, 1821, after an absence of nearly three years. Having sailed sixty-seven thousand miles, during the cruise, and having lost thirty-four seamen and five officers by death. I now considered my ramblings at an end, was married and settled as I then thought for life. I went to work with my old master at his ship-yard, and had been there a few days, when one morning while at work on board of a brig, putting a plank into the deck, forward the windlass, with my back towards it, heard the men (who were at work at the windlass, heaving in a new mainmast,) grumble at some one who could not ship his handspike in time.
I turned round for a moment, and behold, the delinquent was one of our lieutenants of the Macedonian, and disguised as a common laborer. I was amazed, not knowing what it meant. On attempting to speak to him he winked at me, which I at once understood. A few minutes afterwards he went on to the wharf, I startstarted immediately after him, and when up with him, asked what all this meant. AUTOBIOGE APHY. 315 Said he, " Call me Jones; I have been watching an opportunity to see yon alone, in order to explain it all." As we walked up the wharf, said he to me, again: " You know that a naval officer has but a small chance for acquiring any practical knowledge of seamanship, and I was determined to devote my three months furlough to the acquisition of what I call practical seamanship." He had assumed the name of Jones, and was entirely unknown, probably, to any one in Boston, except myself, and wished me to keep his secret faithfully, which I did, frequently visiting him at his boarding house as Mr.
Jones, and he as frequently calling on me. At the expiration of his furlough he received orders to join another ship. He called on me before leaving Boston, for the purpose of saying good-by. He showed me his tough, sunburnt hands, which certainly did him much credit. And if every naval officer would devote even a portion of their furlough to the acquisition of some practical or scientific knowledge instead of idling away the time in dull and insipid amusements, our Navy would boast of many more like a Maury, a Lynch, a Stockton, and others who are ornaments to it. And the truly meritorious officer of whom I have been speaking, deserves the highest encomiums of praise even for this one act of energetic perseverance and devotion to his profession, in working like a common laborer, three months, in order to acquire that practical knowledge which could be obtained in no other way.
He now ranks among the first in the navy, honored and esteemed by all who know him.