12 VOYAGE TO THE 



chap, dangerous thunder-storm, which commenced in the 

 wJ^w evening, and lasted till after midnight : during this 

 August, time the sheet lightning was vivid and incessant, 

 and the forked frequently passed between the masts. 

 The wind varied so often, that it was with the 

 greatest difficulty the sails were prevented coming 

 aback ; and it blew so hard that it was necessary to 

 lower the close-reefed topsails on the cap. Shortly 

 after midnight, a vivid flash of lightning left five 

 meteors upon the mast-heads and topsail yard-arms, 

 but did no damage: they were of a bluish cast, 

 burnt about a quarter of an hour, and then disap- 

 peared. The weather almost immediately after- 

 wards moderated, and the thunder cloud passed 

 away. 



We had afterwards light and variable winds, with 

 w r hich we crept down to the southward, until the 

 night of the 25th, when being nearly abreast of the 

 River Plate, a succession of pamperos* began, and 

 Sept. continued until the 2nd of September, with their 

 usual characteristics, of thunder and lightning, with 

 hail and sunshine between. On the 9th, soundings 

 were obtained in 75 fathoms off the Falkland 

 Islands ; but no land was seen at the time, in con- 

 sequence of misty weather. We here again ex- 

 perienced a short though heavy gale. As it was 

 against us, we turned our proximity to the land to 

 good account, by seeking shelter under its lee, strik- 



* These are heavy gusts of wind which blow off the heated plains 

 (or pampas) lying between the foot of the Cordillera Mountains and 

 the sea. In the River Plate, and near the coast, they are very 

 violent and dangerous, from the sudden manner in which they 

 occur. Their force diminishes as the distance from the coast 

 increases. 



