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Such a sight , very few , even some who have been at sea a great deal , have ever beheld ; for from the deck of your own vessel you cannot see her , as you would a separate object . We were always glad to see San Diego ; it being the depot , and a snug little place , and seeming quite like home , especially to me , who had spent a summer there . A small island , situated about two leagues from the anchorage , called by us " Wood Island , " and by the Spaniards " Isle de Los Angelos , " was covered with trees to the water 's edge ; and to this , two of our crew , who were Kennebec men , and could handle an axe like a plaything , were sent every morning to cut wood , with two boys to pile it up for them . The determination of our captain had at least this good effect ; it gave every one something to think and talk about , made a break in our life , and diverted our minds from the monotonous dreariness of the prospect before us . Then , by-and-by , somebody else will go after some more , and if they beat him , he 'll have to go again , or else give up his berth . All the hides , too , that came down in the boats , were soaked with water , and unfit to put below , so that we were obliged to trice them up to dry , in the intervals of sunshine or wind , upon all parts of the vessel .