clouds indicative of a gale, though the day
was perfectly calm.
On the 18th, there came on a very strong
gale from the noi’th, which continued the
whole day without intermission; and at night
we lay to, it still blowing severely. From the
20th we had fine weather and a fair wind;
nothing material taking place, and the temperature
getting gradually colder. The
month of March came in with heavy weather;
often obliging us to lower our mainsail, and
hoist our trysail; whilst the little sloop laboured
very much.
March 6th, we got sight of Tristan d’Acuriha,
but a strong S. E. wind prevented our nearing
i t ; and after beating about for four days,
in very hazy and disagreeable weather, we
saw “ Nightingale Island; ” the fog preventing
our seeing the other two islands, though
we perfectly well knew we were very near
both of them. On the 18th we found ourselves
abreast the above named one, bearing
W. by S. distant twenty miles; and run-
ning^down to it with a fair wind, we made
Sandy Point, and saw the huts, but no appearance
of any inhabitants. We ran down
the coast; and until evening the weather was
beautiful, the sea smooth as a lake — indeed,
a dead calm ; when suddenly a squall came
from the mountains, which very nearly laid
us on our beam ends. All was confusion in
an instant, the sea heaving up masses of foam
in all directions, though not a cloud was
visible in any part of the horizon. These
sudden squalls are called “ Williesy” at least,
such is the name given them by the sailors
who frequent the island. By sunset we were
blown completely off the land, and passed the
night pretty close to the small island called
“ The Inaccessible.”
19th. —There being a severe gale from the
north-west, and no islands in sight, we lay to
all day.
20th. — We saw land ahead, ran down to
it, and when we got within ten miles of it,
found it was “ The Inaccessible; ” we then
altered our course, and made for Tristan
d’Acunha, with a heavy wind and sea. After
a three hours’ run, the hazy weather prevent