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crater we fonnil one big tortoise dead, one of the bitr rocks that wo liail weighted 

 it with liaving fliUen on its head aud shnt its wind off. Several of tlie others had 

 got loose, but all were found : also a smaller one. At noon we had just got the 

 tortoise secured, and were two miles from lunch, and onr water was short. Knowing 

 that we should be obliged to take onr tortoise down to the west coast of the island, 

 we decided to let dinner go. Two men each took a tortoise lashed to a pole, and 

 started for the coast. It was the hardest work that I ever did for my part, and I 

 gness that the rest thought the same. At 4 we got to shore above a high blnff. 

 We tied them here for the night, and started for the boat, two miles across the 

 island. This was very rough work. No dinner I No water I The sailor Charles 

 was completely exhausted after reaching the boat. Got to the vessel at dark. Beck 

 secured a rat. 



Sept. S. — To-day we landed on the west side of the island, leaving the sailor 

 Herman to watch the boat. Got to the crater fairly easy. Found the tortoises all 

 right, except tlie smallest one, which was practically dead. Rats had gnawed a 

 piece out of one hind foot. They had also gnawed the eye of the large dead tortoise- 

 The mate brought down one tortoise alone ; the rest of ns two more. Got to shore 

 abont '2.'^'l Lowered tortoise over the cliff with ropes, f)0 to 7.i ft., reaching the 

 vessel about O.:^0 with six live tortoises. Got two penguins. Uats appear numerous. 



Sept. ',>. — Wind light this morning. Had a hard pull to the island. Drowne, 

 the mate, and a sailor detailed to bring down two dead tortoise. Hull, Beck, and 

 myself were to collect. I found a tortoise which I sent down by the mate in place 

 of a dead one. Sent Beck to explore a little valley at and above the head of the 

 crater. He returned with a small tortoise, and said that he had seen five more big 

 ones. Taking one live and one dead tortoise, and a bag of remains, we started for 

 the boat, getting there abont 4.1 o. Got about 75 birds. I decided, since we were 

 all very tired and had considerable work to do, to go to Conway Bay and anchor 

 till Jlonday morning, when we would return and secure the balance of the tortoises. 



Sept. 10. — Put up about 7.5 birds. 



Sept. 1 1 . — Prepared tortoise aud turtle. 



Sept. 12. — This has been a day of rest. Rowed over to Duncan Island and 

 Eden Island in the morning. Some of the tortoise have eaten and drank. Black 

 males of small Geospiza quite common on Duncan. 



Sept. 13. — Landed on the weather side of Duncan about '.t.3n a.m. The mate, 

 a sailor and Drowne brought out one live tortoise and bag of remains. Hull, Beck, 

 and I found and tied up six more. They are in an extremely hard place to get at. 

 Worth "-iS fr. a day to get them out, for each man — what all the party say each 

 night. Will anchor in Conway Bay to-night. 



Sept. 14. — Landed on lee side of the island quite early. Have decided to let 

 Hull and Beck camji ashore for a few days, so we packed camp outfit to the top of 

 the island, pitching tent, etc. : found six more tortoise; carried two large ones 

 part way to the shore. AVill anchor at C^onway Bay to-night. I am going to let 

 the mate and Drowne go ashore and camp and help work out tortoise. Do not 

 feel well myself, and shall stay with vessel. IMate taking my place. 



Sept. l."). — Made up the camp dufl'el and landed the mate and Drowne on 

 Duncan about 9.30. The wind was light this morning, and we were a long time 

 sailing over from Conway Bay. Will call for them Saturday afternoon, returning 

 with the vessel to Conway Bay. 



Sept. 1(1. — Laid about the vessel all da)'. The caj)tain has been scraping 



