K
1
ipliMfl]
i.1f1f if'jlfl:
li
the time they are out, the greater part of the
crew are baling the water out of them, they
thought the leaky state of our vessel was no
uncommon occurrence. But however cheerfully
they worked during the day, nothing
could induce them to “ turn out” at night;
they always stowed themselves away, but in
what part of the vessel I never could conjecture.
They have a dread of some unknown
evil spirit, which they imagine has
power over them at night; and this supposition
makes them terrible cowards in the
dark.
The second day after we were at sea, I
saw a group of savages lying round the
binnacle, all intently occupied in observing
the phenomenon of the magnetic attraction ;
they seemed at once to comprehend the purpose
to which it was applied, and I listened
with eager curiosity to their remarks upon it.
“ This,” said they, “ is the white man’s
God, who directs them safely to different
countries, and then can guide them home
again.” Out of compliment to us, and respect
for its wonderful powers, they seemed
much inclined to worship this silent little
monitor.
During our voyage to Port Jackson, we
experienced a succession of southerly gales,
which Captain Kent informed me were very
prevalent at this season of the year. Notwithstanding
all our exertions to prevent it,
we were carried considerably to leeward of
the port. We made Lord Howe’s Islands,
whose high and bold features rise, as it were,
out of the ocean : as we passed close to them,
we perceived they were well wooded and
watered; and one of the men, who had been
on shore there, informed me that there was a
tolerably good harbour for small craft. A few
miles to the southward of these islands is
Ball’s Pyramid, a most singular and sublimelooking
rock, rising perpendicularly out of
the sea to the height of a thousand feet; the
base of it is enveloped in perpetual surf, dashing
and climbing up its craggy sides. Its appearance,
as we saw it, relieved by the setting
sun, and the coming on of a stormy night,
was awful in the extreme!
t 3