CHAPTER II

OAKLAND CREEK AND PORT COSTA 39

A Lively Time crossing the Bay--Mooring Ship--Sea Serpents--An Old South Seaman--More Cricket--The Bilges again--Lining the Hold--The Art of Painting--Mosquitoes and Song--Bleeding the Grain--Bending Sail--An Early Morning Picnic--Bathing in the Sacramento--A Fatality--Ready for Sea--Taking in Stores--Our Crew come Aboard--My Stewardship--The Return of the Californian Boys.