see the narrow escape we had met with. Leaving Hall’s Island astern, with clear and pleasant weather once more, the two ships proceeded in company to Ocean Island, where we arrived on Monday, March 22d. Each vessel sent a boat on shore, and procured about three hundred pumpkins. While on shore, our attention was called to an odd figure we saw approaching us, which we discovered to be a native fantastically decorated. It proved to be a man who had formerly sailed in our ship when the present captain was on his first voyage as master of her. He had been to “’Merick,” where, as he informed us, he procured the suit of clothes which he then wore. It consisted of pants which would have buttoned twice round him, but about six inches too short; in lieu of suspenders, they were held up by a piece of spun-yarn passing over his shoulder, and again made fast. His shirt was of calico, of the largest figure and most gaudy colors, with a collar that nearly eclipsed his head, and a cravat of calico, with colors “to match.” His shoes were about fourteen inches in length, and both lefts; his vest, which was intended to be white, had probably been made for a boy, as it was about a foot too short; his coat of blue broadcloth, with large brass buttons, a “swallow-tail” cut, with the waist between his shoulders, the sleeves lacking some inches in length, and the collar nearly reaching to the top of his head, upon which was a very tall, bell-crowned hat, with a very narrow rim. This whole walking machine was surmounted by a huge umbrella. It is probable that some Yankee had given the poor fellow this suit while he was in “’Merick,” and he appeared to feel very grand and proud, but complained that it was _very hot_. He informed the captain that he had returned to the island a rich man, as he had a whole keg of tobacco, besides some pipes, beads, calico, etc.; also, his _complete suit_, of which no other native on the island could boast. The king kept very close to the _great man_, wishing to be considered as his nearest friend, and took quite a fancy to his dress; but of no use; the native felt his superiority over the “niggers,” as he termed them, and scorned even the friendship of the king. After obtaining a sufficient quantity of pumpkins we returned to the ship, and both vessels took their departure for Guam, preparatory to a season on Japan. CHAPTER XXII.