ing our seeing land, though certain we were
close to it, we hove to.
21st._We had a continuance of bad,
blowing, hazy weather. At noon we obtained
sight of the island, but were kept off by contrary
winds till the 26th, when a strong westerly
breeze setting in, carried us down to the
land. This was to me a most happy event, as
I was completely tired of being tossed about
so long on a rough sea, and rejoiced at the
prospect of spending a few hours on shoie.
On the north of this island, a long, low,
green point runs a considerable way into the
sea; at the end of which is erected a flagstaff;
and just round this point is situated
'Falmouth Bay, a small inlet. Being come
abreast of this bay, we saw several houses
under the hill; and upon one of them was
hoisted the British flag, a welcome sight to
an Englishman ! We hove to about a mile
from the shore, and soon saw a boat launched
from the beach, which presently boarded us ;
and these settlers seemed most happy at our
arrival, as ships so very seldom can touch
here. They assured Captain Amm he might
anchor with perfect safety, as long as there
was no north in the wind; but that the moment
it touched that point, he must get under
weigh, and be off as soon as possible.
At three o’clock we anchored half a mile
from the shore, opposite Falmouth Bay, in
twenty fathom water, with a rocky bottom
covered with kelp. Our captain, finding the
settlers had abundance of potatoes, agreed to
purchase a few tons for the Cape market; and
as I knew it would take a considerable time
to get them on board, I determined to return
in the boat with the men when they left our
vessel: I did so, and took with me my dog,
gun, boat cloak, and sketch book, hoping to
be able to add a few interesting drawings to
my portfolio, as this was a spot hitherto unvisited
by any artist.
There is something really terrific in the appearance
of this island as you approach the
shore. The sea breaks with violence over
rocks which are just rising above water, and
the whole extent of beach is whitened with
u 2