During this time I worked along shore, all the while looking out for chances, and trying to get a berth on some vessel which I might rob with profit; but not meeting with the opportunity I wanted, I left the city with my wife, and going into the country, in the neighborhood of Norwich, Conn., went to work for a Doctor Baldwin. I remained with him some time, and then went to Norwich, where I worked for a Daniel Mapler, till a longing for my old life of excitement and adventure came over me, and I returned to New York and took lodgings at 129 Cedar street.
In a short time I shipped on board of the steamer Alabama, for Savannah, returned and shipped on board schooner Kate Field, for Indianola and Galveston. I committed a robbery on board of this vessel, and though I was detected by the captain, nothing was said about it.
The goods I appropriated were part of the cargo, but they were not missed by the owners, and so I escaped. From Galveston we sailed to Matagorda Bay, took in a cargo of sugar, and returned to New York, and for some time after this I remained on shore, working occasionally, and all the while watching my opportunity to get a berth on board of a vessel for the old purpose.
With the object of committing a robbery if a favorable opportunity presented itself, I went a voyage in a schooner to Georgetown, S. C., but returned without finding it worth while to carry out my intentions. For a time I worked along shore again, and then went to Boston on a coaster, intending to rob her if I found she had money on board, but as she had not, I came back in her to New York, and shipped on schooner John, for Wilmington, N. C.
As we came out of Wilmington harbor, on our return, we found the yacht Kate, which had been run into.
I saw the wreck first, and as soon as we got alongside, I jumped into her, in water up to my armpits, and making her fast to the schooner, commenced bailing her out.
We finally got her afloat, and took her into Wilmington, from whence she was returned to her owners. We claimed salvage on her, which was allowed, but there is something due me now on my share, which I hope will be paid to my wife after I am gone.
Returning to New York, I lived by working along shore, but never missed a chance of robbery when it promised to pay me for my trouble, and the risk was not too great; but I was careful of doing much in New York city, and was all the while on the lookout for some enterprise in my favorite field of action—the sea.
I kept a sharp lookout for all small craft outward bound for cargoes of fruit, oysters, etc., and in a quiet way gathered all the information I could in regard to the number of hands they shipped, and the amount of money they generally carried.
During my searches I came across the sloop E. A. Johnson, Captain Burr, and in making application was engaged on board of her.