Boltrope. By the time the halyards were made fast, the sail had blown away, leaving only its rope edging. —Keyes ↩
Dead reckoning. Rough computation of position at sea, made by reference to the record of distance travelled. As the ship had been drifting for a week, the opportunity of making actual headway was valuable. —Keyes ↩
Asitka, in Russian America. Sitka, Alaska. It was not until 1867 that Russia sold her American possessions to the United States. —Keyes ↩
Catharpins … taffrail. From top to bottom and from end to end. —Keyes ↩
Sinnet. Braided grass to be used for small rope, or for hat making. —Keyes ↩
Old style. The calendar arrangement in vogue previous to 1582, when, by order of Pope Gregory XIII, the calendar was altered by calling October 5, October 15. Modern Russia maintains the old-style calendar. —Keyes ↩
If California … country. It should be remembered that these lines were written eight years before California became a part of the Union and before the discovery of gold in 1849 led to heavy immigration into the territory. They are an indication of the author’s keen observation and excellent judgment. —Keyes ↩
Quakers. Dummies. —Keyes ↩
Shortest communication … country. Two and one-half months, in 1836, compares strangely with the present five to seven days’ mail transportation across the continent. At that time, too, the telegraph was still in its experimental stage: it was not until 1845 that the first line, that between Baltimore and Washington, was established. —Keyes ↩
“Dios se lo pague.” “God reward you.” —Keyes ↩
“Gil Blas.” A romance by the French novelist Le Sage, 1668–1747. —Keyes ↩
Santa Ana. At this time, President of Mexico. —Keyes ↩
Tampico. The author appears to have mixed his dates at this point. The battle of Tampico, which ended Spain’s attempts to regain Mexico, was fought in 1829. It was, however, this engagement which made Santa Ana’s reputation and enabled him for twenty years to control Mexican affairs. —Keyes ↩
Expedition against the Texans. Though at this time one of the states of the Republic of Mexico, Texas was chiefly populated by emigrants from the United States who were constantly in collision with the Mexican authorities. Actual revolution, which resulted in the independence of Texas, broke out early in 1836. —Keyes ↩
Bustamente. Anastasio Bustamente, 1780–1853, a politician and soldier, rival to Santa Ana. After Santa Ana’s defeat by the Texans, Bustamente was, for a time, President of Mexico. —Keyes ↩
“No quiere religion.” Does not want religion. —Keyes ↩
Taney. Roger B. Taney was appointed Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court to succeed John Marshall, who died in 1835. —Keyes ↩
El Vizconde Melbourne. The period 1834–1837 saw Viscount Melbourne twice prime minister of England, Sir Robert Peel having occupied the position for a brief time between the former’s two terms of office. When the brig Pilgrim sailed from Boston, Earle Grey had been for two years prime minister subsequent to the retirement of the Duke of Wellington. —Keyes ↩
Espiritu Santo. Holy Spirit. —Keyes ↩
Castanets. Wooden or bone clappers held in the hand and sounded as an accompaniment to music. —Keyes ↩
Aloha. The Sandwich Island term of greeting. —Keyes ↩
“Maestro de la casa.” Mr. Russell had been flattered by being termed “Don Thomas,” “Captain of the Neighborhood,” and “Master of the House.” —Keyes ↩
Paseár. Converse. —Keyes ↩
Caballéro. Gentleman. —Keyes ↩
Long togs. Shore clothing: long in contrast with the short sailor jacket. —Keyes ↩
Pope. Alexander Pope, 1688–1744, in his Moral Essays, has a number of unkind things to say concerning woman. —Keyes ↩
Clairvoyance. The power of seeing, in a trance, scenes or objects not within range of normal vision. —Keyes ↩
A.B.’s. The degree of Bachelor of Arts, conferred upon college men at graduation. —Keyes ↩
“Auctoritate mihi commissa.” “By the authority vested in me”; a part of the Latin address with which the college president prefaces the conferring of degrees. —Keyes ↩
Forsitan et haec olim. Forsitan et haec olim meminisse juvabit: Perhaps hereafter it may be pleasant to remember these things. —Keyes ↩
“Woodstock.” A novel by Sir Walter Scott, dealing with the period of the Commonwealth in England. —Keyes ↩
Dunnage. A covering for the bottom of the hold to protect the cargo from bilge water. —Keyes ↩
Savans. Experts: knowing ones. —Keyes ↩
Run. The after part of a ship. —Keyes ↩
Dog. A hook. —Keyes ↩
Falls. Hauling ropes. —Keyes ↩
Nippered. Pulled tight. —Keyes ↩
Luff tackle. A special arrangement of ropes and pulleys. —Keyes ↩
Dr. Graham. Sylvester Graham, 1794–1851, an old-time “food-specialist”; a vegetarian and the promoter of “graham bread.” —Keyes ↩
Hygeia. The goddess of health. —Keyes ↩
“Moku—Nui Moku.” Large, very large. —Keyes ↩
Wall-sided and kettle-bottomed. With straight sides and rounded underpart, giving a roomy hold for cargo. —Keyes ↩
Star Chamber. An English secret court which tried cases without resort to jury. Its unjust and arbitrary decisions, which led to its eventual dissolution, have made it famous for all time. —Keyes ↩
Botany Bay. Formerly a
