( IIH ) 



Sept. 12 (Snnda}-). — A general clearing np. Beck and Harris went over to 

 Eden Island in tlie skifif ; brought back a few flowers and a couple of crabs. The 

 two sailors killed six hawks {Buteo t/alapagi'iis/s) with pieces of rock. 



Sept. 13. — Got up at 4.3u, and, after having coftVe, hoisted anchor and set the 

 sails. Weather very foggy, and fine rain. We sailed over to Dnncan, went ashore 

 rather late, and all hands started at once for the crater, the idea being to work 

 over the other side of it, and look for the tortoise that Beck had seen as well as 

 others. We found in one of the craters (a section so thickly covered with bashes 

 that it had not been so carefully examined) a good-sized tnrtoise. This find altered 

 the plans somewhat. The mate and the sailor took the tortoise on a pole, I a 

 sack of bones and their surplus baggage, and after eating luncli started back, the 

 others having gone on. AVe reached the skiff after a long walk, the others arriving 

 at about the same time. They reported six tortoises tied up, and the remains of 

 another fonnd. We got aboard the vessel about 2).m., and sailed for Conway Bay, 

 coming to anchor at 7.30. 



Sept. 14. — Got up at 4.30, and, after having coffee, lioisted the anchor and set 

 sail for Duncan. We got ashore quite early, and started for the top of the island, 

 carrying tent outfit and provisions for Beck and Hull, who were to camji in a little 

 valley on the other side of the top. We got to their camping place after a long 

 climb, partly through thick brush. We put up the teut and lunched. Just as we 

 began to descend into the valley we found four tortoise, and Beck and the mate, who 

 had separated from us a little, found three more, making thirteen in all tied up in 

 the vallev. Leaving Hull and Beck in their camp, we took the two big tortoise 

 which the mate and Beck had foimd, these being the nearest to the skiff. It was 

 terrible work carrying them. We had no shoulder pads, the carrying poles were 

 too short, and the tortoises grew terribly heavy. We got them half-way down, and 

 had to leave them, tying them fast. We then made the rest of the descent quite 

 easily, and got to the vessel in time for supper. We headed for Conway Ba}', 

 anchoring shortly after 6 p.m. It was decided that the only way to get the tortoise 

 out would be for the mate and myself to take a tent outfit and plenty of provisions 

 and water, and join Hull and Beck on the island, the rest of the party remaining 

 to care for the vessel at Conway Bay. 



Sept. 15. — Hoisted anchor and sailed to Duncan. The mate and myself left 

 the vessel and pulled ashore, with tent and supplies. We anchored the skiff in a 

 splendid little bay, where hair seals, pelicans, and boobies abounded. We stored the 

 water and sur])lus provisions in a cave near the shore, and made up two packs of 

 the remainder. The stin was out in full force when we commenced the long climb 

 to the camp, but we pressed on and reached it about 2 p.m. After a short rest we 

 pitched the tent, and then went out and brought a good-sized tortoise to the camp. 

 The mate prepared supper — doves, fruit, bread, butter, and coffee. It was dark 

 very soon, and we retired early. Short-eared owls hooted about us continually 

 during the night. 



Sept. 16. — Arose at 5 a.m. and had breakfast : then both jiarties started for 

 the first station with a big tortoise. Reaching there, the mate and myself started 

 down for the beach after water and provisions, there being only half a canteen 

 of water to leave the others for their morning's work. We got to shore in 

 50 minutes, and started immediately to pack up. The mate took the five-gallon 

 breaker of water, and I the knaj)sack, well loaded with canned fruit, meat, sardines, 

 bread, sugar, butter, coffee, rice, etc., and three canteens of water. We started back 



