I performed my duties regularly with the crew, and for the first two days led an unsocial, almost a solitary life, in the midst of a large ship's company.

Captain Moncrieff, like an honest man, paid me the month's pay to which I was entitled, in advance.

This money I kept about my person, and carefully concealed from every one the prosperous sate of my finances.

I was thus enabled to indulge in little comforts which, to some extent, counterbalanced the inconveniences to which I was subjected.
On the morning of the third day after I had taken up my quarters in the ship, another person was received on board in accordance with a mandate from the supercargo.

His name was Frederick Strictland.