Page:The founding of South Australia.djvu/192

 our other pets, the dog and the bird, are well and contented.

"August 18th.—During; the night a slight change of wind occurred, affording us the prospect of relief from our lengthened imprisonment; this is doubly agreeable, as the Captain has more than once intimated his intention to go into the Island of Ascension instead of the Cape, should this weather continue. We were near it, and the detention there, while getting water, would be much shorter than at the Cape. This is a great temptation, especially now that we have had every hope of making a quick passage; but it will be a source of great disappointment to me, and to most of the passengers, as we have prepared long lists of etceteras to be purchased at the Cape; besides which we have looked upon two or three days' sojourn there as a holiday, which could hardly be enjoyed on a volcanic island, where nothing else can be had but water and turtle! Since the first of this month we have made no more southing than 390 miles.

"August 24th.—The wind, which held out a favourable promise on the 18th, has not deceived us, and we are therefore relieved from the apprehension of going to Ascension. &hellip; Yesterday an attempt v/as made by Captain Duff to decrease the allowance of water to every passenger, with the obvious view of avoiding the necessity of putting in at the Cape; this, however, was resisted by all, and on Mr. Brown representing to the Captain, that, as 'Agent for Emigration,' he would consider the decrease of allowance of water as a breach of contract with the Commissioners, and would so prevent the payment of the passage-money of the steerage passengers, the Captain countermanded his order, and the usual amount of water was to-day served out. The quantity allowed is six quarts a day for each adult, children have less in proportion to age; and when it is remembered that this is to suffice for washing, cooking,