Chapters 25-28 Summary and Analysis

Returning to Santa Barbara, Alert finds Pilgrim and Ayacucho at anchor. Capt. Wilson boards, bringing exaggerated rumors of war between the U.S. and France, and large French war fleets operating locally. Avon leaves, ostensibly for San Pedro, but in fact to replenish legal and illegal cargo stashed on Catalina Is. to avoid paying duties in Monterey. Also in port is a "spouter" (whaler), Wilmington and Liverpool Packet, which Dana calls, vessel and 30-man crew alike, slovenly, oily, and smelly. Most are "raw hands" with hayseed still in their hair. On 12 Nov. the ships crews have a rowing match, in which the whalers are ahead until they reach the surf, where the Kanaka-trained sailors pull ahead.

As a gale blows in, Loriotte breaks her chain, goes adrift, but is brought up by the united crews. The captains rush down...