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Show 46 PERSONAL ADVENTURES such delicacies were unknown on board. The confusion was immense, and the supply of edibles unequal to the demand, until Bumboat Joe-the Napoleon of these aquatic caterersappeared in proper person, bringing an abund~ ance of similar luxuries, so that at length every one procured a sufficiency. I may mention, en pass ant, that Joe is a character well known to those who frequent the South Atlantic shores. He is about four feet six in height, but I will not venture upon a calculation of his girth. To say he is as broad as he is long, would fail to convey any adequate idea of his outline; but if the reader can fancy an animated butter-firkin propped up on two nine-pins, and surmounted by a Dutch cheese, he may realize a faint imaO'e of Bum~ 0 boat Joe. l-Ie is a great favourite amonO'st the '1 5 sm ors, on account of his drollness, not only of appearance, but of speech, which is a cross of his own, between English and Portuguese, the latter being his native tongue. He is about fifty years of age, and has passed the whole of his life in a bumboat. l-Ie is re· IN CALIFOR~IA. 47 puted wealthy, and I have no doubt report, in this instance, speaks truth, although his appearance would have justified one in giving him a trifle for charity's sake, if one had chanced to meet him in the street. We soon learned that our stay at Rio would he limited to the tirne necessary to repair our vessel-of which the foremast had received severe damage during a recent heavy galeand to take in a proper supply of provisions, to wit, fresh biscuit and salt horse; for I 1nay as well mention here, that the ordinary regulations with regard to victualling us had not been acted upon, probably because ·we were only voluntee?"S, or irregulars, and irregularity in everything connected 'vith us, or ,vith our cornforts, was considered a matter of course. However, in consequence of certain remonstrances addressed to the Consul, some of the officers belonging to the flag-ship Ohionot unworthily called the pride of the American navy-boarded us, and soon after sent a portion of her crew to assist in repairing our damage, and in getting the requisite stores on • |