As occasion for being roused was not wanting in the South Seas in those days, Jo's amiability was frequently put to the test.

He sojourned, while there, in a condition of alternate calm and storm; but riotous joviality ran, like a rich vein, through all his checkered life, and lit up its most somber phases like gleams of light on an April day.
"You entered my service with your own consent," replied the captain to Jo's last remark, "and you may leave it, with the same consent, whenever you choose; but you will please to remember that I did not engage you to serve on board the schooner.

Back there you do not go either with or without your consent, my fine fellow, and if you are bent on going to sea on your own account .-- you've got a pair of good arms and legs,--you can swim! Besides," continued the captain, dropping the tone of sarcasm in which this was said, and assuming a more careless and good-natured air, "you were singing something not long since, if I mistake not, about 'farewell to the rolling sea,' which leads me to think you will not object to a short cruise on shore for a change, especially on such a beautiful island as this is." "I'm your man, capting," cried the impulsive seaman, at the same time giving his oar a pull that well-nigh spun the boat round.

"And, to say wot's the plain truth, d'ye see, I'm not sorry to ha' done with your schooner; for, although she is as tight a little craft as any man could wish for to go to sea in, I can't say much for the crew,--saving your presence, Dick," he added, glancing over his shoulder at the surly-looking man who pulled the bow oar.

"Of all the rascally set I ever clapped eyes on, they seems to me the worst.