THE BILL-FISH.--THE MARQUESAS.--A PRISONER AMONG THE SAVAGES 167 CHAPTER XV. ESCAPE FROM THE SAVAGES.--RECOVERY OF THE BOAT.--MAGICAL EFFECTS OF LYNCH LAW 181 CHAPTER XVI. THE COOPER "ROMANCES".--INCIDENTS.--BYRON'S ISLAND 197 CHAPTER XVII. KINGSMILL'S GROUP.--SINGULAR WHALING INCIDENT.--HARD AND FAST.--A PERILOUS POSITION 211 CHAPTER XVIII. OFF THE ROCKS AGAIN.--A BAD LEAP.--ANECDOTES.--THE RUN TO THE CAROLINE ISLANDS 225 CHAPTER XIX. STRONG'S ISLAND 238 CHAPTER XX. ON JAPAN.--ORMSBEE'S PEAK.--WHALING INCIDENTS.--A YANKEE TRICK 253 CHAPTER XXI. RADACK CHAIN.--WATERING AT OCEAN ISLAND.--INCIDENTS ON THE RUN TO SYDNEY, N. S. W. 267 CHAPTER XXII. SYDNEY.--UP ANCHOR FOR HOME.--"GALWAY MIKE." 280 CHAPTER XXIII. HOMEWARD.--THE EPISODE OF GALWAY MIKE.--CAPE HORN.--THE LAST WHALE 294 CHAPTER XXIV. HOMEWARD. The Whale Recognized as an Old Acquaintance.--Incidents of the Run Home.--Nantucket Again 307 LEAVES FROM THE ARETHUSA'S LOG. CHAPTER I. FROM PECK SLIP TO NANTUCKET BAR. "WANTED--500 able-bodied, enterprising young men, to go on whaling voyages of from twelve to twenty months' duration in first class ships. All clothing and other necessaries furnished on the credit of the voyage. To coopers, carpenters and blacksmiths, extra inducements offered." This announcement, on a gigantic placard, in staring capitals, arrested my attention, and brought me to a stand, as I was strolling along South Street, near Peck Slip. I had just attained the susceptible age of eighteen, and had left my country home with the consent of my parents, to visit the great city of Gotham, like a modern Gil Blas, in quest of employment and adventures. As the old story-books have it, I had come "to seek my fortune." I have sought it ever since, but it has kept ahead of me, like an _ignis fatuus_. Like old Joe Garboard, I began the world with nothing, and have held my own ever since. I had always a predilection for the sea, and had cultivated my adventurous propensities by the study of all books of voyages and travels that I had access to. All the wanderings of famous navigators, from the days of Sinbad down to the present era, had been perused with delight, and I had always affected the sailor, as well as I knew how, in manner and dress. I had discovered, since I arrived in the city, however, that I was a miserable amateur; and not a ragged boy along the piers but would have spotted me for a "green one" at sight, while Jack himself, the real article, would have found my verdancy really refreshing after a long cruise.