Page:Wanderings of a Pilgrim Vol 2.djvu/537

 "Essex" has been very unfortunate this voyage: in coming out she lost her captain at the Cape; in Calcutta she lost her third mate, the cook, and six seamen. The property of the deceased seamen will be sold by auction on deck this evening.

17th.—We have passed the Great Nicobar, and are on a level with Acheen Point. The vessel is going steadily through the water about six knots an hour.

18th.—A squall came on during the night, and snapped the flying jib-boom right in halves: my slumber was broken by being nearly pitched out of my sea sofa. This being an unfavourable time of the year for a voyage to England, we have only two passengers besides ourselves on board,—fortunately they are most agreeable people. We have now two cabins on the poop, the larboard stern cabin, and the one next to it, and are therefore very comfortable.

19th.—We are creeping away to the south; there is a swell, and we are looking out for the trade wind.

20th.—Rain and calm,—what an annoyance! Oh! for a gale to carry us with double-reefed topsails over the Line, as we had in the "Madagascar!" Any thing would be better than this vile calm. What does it matter if a few spars are snapped, and a few more sails split asunder, if we do but make way! We must now be exactly upon the Line: the musquitoes have not yet quitted my cabin, they plague me greatly. As if in accordance with my wish, at 4 a squall came on, and carried us over the Line.

21st.—A fine favourable breeze,—we flatter ourselves it may be the trade.

24th.—Squalls and calms.

26th.—A heavy squall, which continued with lightning and rain in torrents from noon throughout the night: we are quite dispirited.

28th.—With joy this morning I saw the stunsails were set, and a fine sun was drying the deck: now I really believe we have fallen in with the trade.

Oct. 3rd.—Never was there so unpleasant a wind as this south-east trade. It is very strong and constant, but is a suc