of our old friend as pilot, we ran through the river, which is about four miles long, and connected with the harbor of Gloucester by a short canal, through which we passed, and spent another pleasant day in that town previous to starting for Boston; which place we had left just three weeks before. We arrived there the next day, meeting with nothing worthy of particular notice in the course of it. [Illustration: _Our vessel ashore on Squam Bar._] “Such is a brief outline of our excursion, from which we returned much invigorated in mind and body. A thousand little incidents occurred, serving to enhance the pleasure of the trip, which it would be impossible to condense into so small a space as is here allotted us. We had finer opportunities of obtaining picturesque sketches of our New England coast scenery, than could be obtained by any other method. One of our company made a sketch of our mischance upon the bar, and an engraving of it is presented to the reader. We had a good opportunity of observing the peculiar traits that characterize the hardy race that inhabit our rough and rock-bound coast, and always found them a freehearted, hospitable people, ever ready to yield any assistance we might need. We were obliged to submit to many little inconveniences, it is true, which, had they not been voluntary, or had they come under other than the then existing circumstances, would have been deemed hardships; but there was so much excitement, so much novelty, such an endless variety of new objects from day to day to attract and interest us, that we were a thousand times repaid for all our petty privations.” * * * * * PROVERB.--A person who is suspicious, ought to be suspected. Travels, Adventures, and Experiences of Thomas Trotter. CHAPTER V. _Departure from Malta.--Arrival at Sicily.--Syracuse Ruins.--Ear of Dionysius._ Our vessel landed her cargo at Malta, and then took in ballast and sailed for Palermo, in Sicily, to load with fruit. I preferred to cross immediately over to Syracuse, and take Mount Ætna in my way, being very desirous not to lose a sight of this celebrated volcano. I found a Sicilian vessel about to sail, and took passage in her. She was a _polacre_, having the masts of single sticks from top to bottom, instead of three or four pieces joined together, like the masts of English and American vessels. I could not help laughing at the oddities of the crew: there were fifteen of them, although the vessel was not above seventy tons burthen. They were the queerest ship’s company I ever saw; all captains and mates, and no common sailors. Whatever was to be done was everybody’s business: there was no discipline, no order, no concert; all was hurly-burly, and scampering here and there, and tumbling head over heels.