Page:Castaway on the Auckland Isles (IA castawayonauckla01musg).pdf/63

Rh and towards midnight we started off, and got the boat home safe and sound. But we must not hazard leaving the boat again: therefore I have decided on keeping the look-out on the hill about two miles from the house, where we can see a long way down the harbour, and we shall be able to make a signal from the house for them to bring the boat down should a vessel come in to look for us—and surely one will. On the first day of October I intend to go to keep the look-out myself. I shall remain there until we give up all hopes of any one coming. It would be a relief could I only feel sure that some one would come to look after us. To-day is a beautiful day, with a very light southerly air, and light scattered clouds, and the atmosphere is particularly clear; barometer, 30 inches; thermometer, 40° at noon. The barometer quite deceived me on Thursday morning. From the appearance of the weather I should have expected a fresh north-west breeze, which actually came; but the barometer was at 30⋅20, which indicates light southerly or easterly airs.

Sunday, July 24, 1864.—Throughout the past week the weather has been exceedingly fine; wind (when any) generally from the south, or eastward; very light airs, but frequently calm. On Thursday, and only for six hours, the wind was very light, from the N.W. The thermometer from last Sunday has been gradually, and almost imperceptibly, falling, and is now at 29⋅50. It will be seen that with the barometer between 29⋅50 and 30 inches, we have frequently had strong gales, so that this is another instance of its deceitfulness, and almost uselessness, in this locality; but at the present moment, from its state, and the appearance of the weather, which is dark, gloomy, and misty, I have every reason to expect an easterly or N.E. gale.

On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday we had sharp frost. The thermometer was as low as 22°, and when it was at 29°, which is 3° below freezing, the flies were blowing, and the sand-flies were biting furiously. I give up all hopes of their ceasing hostilities during the winter, so it