Hardly had she filled away on her course than we set to work putting the _Seringapatam_ into shape for our own use. The guns of the _New Zealander_ were mounted in her, which brought up the number to twenty-two, but we could leave on board no more than a sufficient crew to work her. Then orders were given that the oil which we had taken, and which was stored on the _Essex_, the _Greenwich_, and the _Georgiana_, should be put on board the latter ship, and she sent home. Loading a ship in mid ocean with such heavy articles as casks of oil, is a slow and laborious task, as we soon learned. It was necessary to sling each hogshead into a boat, pull to the craft which was being loaded, and there hoist it inboard, working disadvantageously all the while because of the heavy swell. It was not until the 24th day of July that the _Georgiana_ was ready for the voyage to the United States, and then the captain of the _Seringapatam_ had been sent on board as a prisoner to be closely guarded; but no crew selected to take charge of her. On this evening our men, greasy and stained with their work of handling oil, were called amidships while Captain Porter stood on the break of the quarter. All hands knew that we were now to learn who would sail in the _Georgiana_, and each man looked at his neighbor to know how he felt about going home while the most dangerous portion of the work yet remained to be done, which would be when the British men-of-war came around the Horn to wind up our career. The captain began by reminding us that our term of service had nearly expired, and that a certain number must be sent home to work the _Georgiana_. "I will give you all the same show," he said; "and if too many volunteer to make up the crew, we will take those whose time of enlistment is nearest at an end. You are to think it over this evening; try to settle the matter among yourselves; but if that can't be done, I will take a hand at it to-morrow morning." With this we were dismissed, and once all hands were on the gun-deck, with the exception of those who remained above on watch, a most tremendous jawing was begun. Every man tried to speak at the same time, and the uproar was so great that no single word could be distinguished. I could not make out whether the men were excited lest they should not be able to go, or if there was a desire to remain. Phil and I went into a corner by ourselves, where we could hear each other speak, and there I asked him what he thought about volunteering for the _Georgiana_. "I count on staying here, if Captain Porter don't drive me out," he said emphatically, thus showing that his decision had been made before we came below. "You know, Ezra, that I don't amount to much when it comes to a show of bravery; but I'm not such a coward as to turn now, when the greatest danger is yet to be met."