cams_fhrussel_b012_f004_002_03

There has been four or five vessels in sight all day but none near
enough to speak untill [until] the 19th. The Capt [Captain] thinking the nearer
one was a Californey [California] bound Barque alowed [allowed] the long boat to
be lowered & twelve passenger & one sailor sett [set] off and after
rowing forty five minutes arrived along side the Barque
Croten [Croton] of New York bound for Californey [California] with fifty six
N. Y. Yankeys [Yankees] it left N. Y. the same day we left Phil. After remaining thear [there] some time the boat returned
with sixteen of their men. Twelve others & myself went aboard
the second time the boats continued going from [one] to the other
the balance of the day. You can imagine the feeling that
prevailed better than I can describe. 20th We amused
ourselves to day [today] in dissecting a Shark we caught. It measured
seven feet two inches long and weighed two hundred #s [pounds].
All hand anxious to get a part I recd [received] one of the fins
for my share. For fear the Water would not hold out
we were put on allowance each man receiving but
three qrts [quarts] for twenty four hours. There has been considerable
quarling [quarreling] between the Capt [Captain] & Mates which has made it
very unpleasant. Rivalry I believe is the cause.

We have been very much disappointed in our stiyle [style]
of living but as I had made up my mind to live
differently after leaving home I will bare it with
Christian fortitude and hope for the better. I will give
you an idea how we have been living since we left
home. Fresh pork one & some times [sometimes] twice a week been [bean] or pea soup
twice a week apple sauce [applesauce] twice a week rice in some shape
or other every day. One # [pound] of butter has lasted twelve of
us forty day. With all the hardships we have endured I
have no occasion to regret leaving home in hope that I
will be well seasoned for my enterprise.

[Top margin upside down]

Penn [Pennsylvania] January out should bring out the money in spend as I believe they
will be able to get as much for fifty cents as a two & a half pice [piece] not true