He had sounded them, and they had no objection to join his ship and sign articles for a three years' whaling voyage, provided they did not thereby forfeit the wages to which they would be entitled on reaching Liverpool.

Wylie went forward and asked the men if they would take service with the Yankee captain.

All but three expressed their desire to do so; these three had families in England, and refused.

The mate gave the others a release, and an order on Wardlaw & Co.

for their full wages for the voyage; then they signed articles with Captain Slocum, and entered the American Mercantile Navy.
Two days after this they sighted the high lands at the mouth of the Rio de la Plata at 10 P.M., and lay to for a pilot.