Page:Castaway on the Auckland Isles (IA castawayonauckla01musg).pdf/31

Rh the wind is almost constantly blowing out of the harbour, and blowing a gale; on an average there is not more than one day out of three that a vessel could beat up against it. During the last week we have had the finest weather that we have had since we came here. We have had no rain until yesterday, when it rained heavily from noon till 8 To-day it is blowing a heavy and very squally N.W. gale, with misty dark weather. Yesterday the wind was N.N.W. and a hot wind, such as is felt in New Zealand. We have had it before, but not so hot as yesterday. The thermometer was up to 60°, which is usually about 48°; barometer at 29⋅25.

On Wednesday we went across the bay in the boat, and in two hours and a half shot 150lbs. weight of widgeons and a one-year-old seal, part of which we had roasted for dinner to-day—it was delicious. It took three men a whole day to pluck the widgeons—I don't know how many there are of them. We have got them salted and hung up; they are in reserve for the winter, when we may not be able to go out to look for food. During the remainder of the time we have been occupied in laying ways for hauling up and launching the boat on, and making a jetty; cutting down and clearing the timber from about the house, and getting and tying in bundles of thatch for the sides of the house, &c. It will take an immense quantity of grass to thatch it round. I may here give a description of this castle of ours. It is 24 feet long by 16 wide. The walls are 7 feet high, roof 14 feet. The corner posts and centre posts, which are made of spars from the ship, as also the wall plates and ridge poles, are let three feet into the ground. The walls or sides and ends are made of timber out of the bush, placed upright, and let into the ground about a foot. They are far from being straight, consequently they are far from being close together. This is why we are obliged to thatch them. They are now covered with old canvas outside, but it lets a great deal of wind through. The door is a very good