CHAP. V.] INVALIDS. 307 



however, the sun had more power, and another 

 month or six weeks might effect much. My 

 object was to try the Welcome. 



A wind coming from the land at west, chilled us 

 all; but the thermometer did not fall below 10° — : 

 and as the wind veered more to the north it speedily 

 rose again. A couple of large seals were seen, 

 but neither fish nor birds, notwithstanding the 

 expanse of water along the coast. At noon there 

 were soundings in fifty-eight fathoms, by which 

 time there was scarcely any water to be seen, 

 and the ship had considerably neared the land, 

 being not more than two miles off. Though, as 

 I before observed, our invalids generally con- 

 tinued to improve, yet some of the number 

 could not yet conquer the obstinate rigidity of 

 the muscles of the leg. Of the two who re- 

 mained still on the list, Alexander Young (who 

 was also the person first affected) was now in so 

 low a state as to make his recovery extremely 

 doubtful — much to the regret of us all ; for his 

 happy disposition and steady conduct as gun- 

 room steward had made him a favourite with 

 the officers, who left nothing undone to minister 

 to his comfort. Every thing on board favoured 

 the health of the crew ; for, since the adoption 

 of the funnels for carrying away the vapour, and 

 still more within the last ten days, during which 

 the hatchways and fore scuttle had been thrown 



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