to be undertaken, were ‘no prey, no pay.’ Then it was provided, that all the booty obtained, of whatsoever nature, should be flung into one general stock, nobody whatsoever keeping anything back for himself, but acting fairly and honourably to his comrades; out of this common fund all were to be paid in due proportion, considering their station on board, or their share in the venture. First came the proprietors of the ship, who were three—being Le Picard, Nicky, and myself, for they did not count the Indian. A certain proportion was awarded to us, in the capacity which I have mentioned, and another proportion to Mr. Pratt, calculated by the value of the sea-stock, &c., wherewith he had supplied us. Then the salaries of the captain, the quartermaster, the boatswain, the carpenter, and the surgeon were fixed, and certain sums were determined upon, to be given in compensation for the different species of wounds which we might receive. These compensations were upon the following scale, and they applied alike to all the ship’s company. The loss of a right arm, six hundred pieces of eight, or six slaves; of a left arm, five hundred pieces, or five slaves; for a right leg the same; for a left leg, four hundred pieces of eight, or four slaves; for an eye one hundred pieces of eight, or one slave; and for a finger the like sum. As for the proportion of pay, the captain had as much as five ordinary seamen, and the quartermaster, or master’s mate, which was my station, that of two. The rest of the crew shared equally, and two boys whom we had on board drew the pay of one able-bodied man. Furthermore, it was stipulated, that each mariner, without any distinction of rank, should be daily entitled to two full meals of the ship’s stores, besides what game or fresh meat we might fall in with, and the indenture concluded by reciting that all those who signed it by name or mark, did thereby take a solemn oath, not to hide or conceal from their comrades the slightest article of value which they might become possessed of, but to fling all, without let or drawback, into the common fund. This document was committed to the care of Mr. Pratt, and a copy made by one of his clerks, which was deposited in the main cabin, and of free access to all. It was then proclaimed that next morning, on the setting in of the sea-breeze, which, on the southern side of the island, is favourable for leaving the coast, we would weigh anchor and stand off upon our voyage—so all was bustle and hurry—the schooner being surrounded by fleets of canoes, selling vegetables, fruit, and such wares, to be added to the sea stock of all who were minded to purchase them. CHAPTER XII. OF THE DEATH OF AN OLD FRIEND.