Karlshamn was a small town, but had an excellent harbor, along one side of which there was a fine solid stone pier. Now, in summer time this was a beautiful place, and the citizens were agreeable people. Especially did we find the two policemen, who became well acquainted with us and accompanied us much when we were ashore, very friendly and companionable. They could apparently drink any amount and manage to keep sober; and we had the freedom of the town, with these policemen as comrades. They made no objections if we did go a little beyond limits in having a good time, because they knew how to enjoy themselves. There was a brewery in the town, and they made beer that had a good reputation. The inhabitants showed they enjoyed their home-brewed beer.
I had occasion to go to a tailor to have a new suit of cloethes made, and I learned that he was a man who understood his business. I have probably never had another suit of clothes that fitted me as well as the suit he made.
When our cargo was out, I asked the captain for discharge, as my time was up. He did not like that I wanted to leave him, and said he would increase my wages if he was able to do so. But I said it made no difference to me about wages, smaller or larger. My intention was to go home now. So he agreed to my muster-out. But afterwards I began to think I ought to have a letter of recommendation from him. Now I had probably offended him by leaving. Still, I approached him for the recommendation. He sat down and began to write on a paper. I wondered what he would write. But when he had finished, he folded it and gave it to me. I took it, thanked him, and bade him goodbye. When I came outside and opened the paper I found, to my surprise, he had given me the very best kind of recommendation.
From Karlshamn I took a coast-steamer to Copenhagen, where I intended to stop for a while. There I met some sailor-boys from Stavanger, who were going home soon. This was a good opportunity to send home the model of ship I had made, if I should conclude not to go home myself. There had been an idea in my mind that, if I went home, it would most likely be to marry Olava, and I did not want her to marry a second mate. At the present time I was only Second Mate.