December 9-21, 1866

Dec. 9: "This afternoon Jim and I went aboard the Juliette Trundy; after I came back I read until dark."

Dec. 10: "After dinner the Capt. took me in the boat, we went into the mile, then aboard of the bark George Treat which was a coming in, stopped until she anchored, then came aboard, then cleared up the decks."

Dec. 11: "Rec'd a letter from home and one from E.A.R., it stated that there was thirty-four cents due on it, I supposed that the Capt. paid it."

Dec. 12: "This afternoon I have been at work in the hold, they make the cook save his coffee grounds and use them over again, a specimen of their meanness."

Dec. 18: "Before daylight this morning I went in a swimming all alone to myself. We shall be loaded and get away the next day. I hope so for I am in a hurry to get to sea."

Dec. 19: "After dinner I went ashore in the boat. While I was waiting for the Capt., I set a man aboard of the Peruvian man-o'-warMan-of-War

A warship., and he gave me two royals, which I invested in oranges. We have finished loading and got the stern moorings out but we shall not go away until Friday, as the old woman is not ready."

Dec. 20: "The men have been at work (through the days) getting one of the anchors, washing the ship and seeing everything ready for sailing. The Capt. is a going to give a breakfast tomorrow morning before we sail but I do not suppose any of it will come forward of the mizzenMizzen mizen

The mizzen itself is the gaff sail flown from the mizzenmast of a bark or barkentine or the fore and aft sail set on the mizzenmast of a ketch or yawl. mast."

Dec. 21: "This morning they hauled the ship outside the fleet; the big breakfast came off at ten o'clock. We sailed at one but this time I was not asleep."