Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/62

56 get very cloudy, and the ship's captain seemed to be very uneasy, not knowing his latitude and longitude. He could not find out where he was, owing to the state of the weather; so not knowing his whereabouts, he again put out to sea. This afternoon there was a little excitement among the soldiers, owing to a hat and a pair of pants floating near our ship. It was supposed to belong to some of the ships we saw at a distance off.

Sunday, February 14, 1847.—This morning the sun came out, and our ship's captain soon found out his latitude and longitude, and discovered that we were not far from Vera Cruz, and it wasn't long before we could with spy-glasses see the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa and Orazaba Mountain. The captain put about ship and proceeded to the Island of Lobos, and if the wind keeps as it is we will make the Island in the morning.

Monday, February 15, 1847.—This morning about 10 o'clock we spoke to the bark "May Flower," of New York. Some say with New York soldiers, others have it the Second Mississippi Regiment, the latter I think is correct; also the bark "Isabella" with a detachment of the New York Volunteers, under the command of Capt. Shaw, on board. We hailed them both, and they answered as their destination the Island of Lobos.

At noon the sentinel at the forecastle spied land ahead, and it proved to be the long-looked-for Island of Lobos. To-night the soldiers are all in high glee, with the beautiful sights in view.

Tuesday, February 16, 1847.—This morning as we were approaching the Island Lobos a pilot-boat came alongside of our ship and wanted five dollars per foot to pilot us in to anchorage. The captain of our ship did not like the appearance of the man for he asked too much; we, however, beat in slowly and anchored about 3 o'clock,, after which there was a detail of ten men from each company to go ashore and clear away the bushes and rubbish, so we could pitch our tents.