DEPRESSED SPIRITS OF THE CREW. 429 



out on the traverse to the eastern shore. We 

 were soon, however, enveloped in a thick fog, 

 which shortly turned to a heavy rain, and 

 drenched us to the skin. The people exerted 

 themselves to the utmost, and yet we did not 

 reach Point Beaufort until past two in the 

 morning. 



August 17th. — A N.W. gale set in with such 

 fury, that we were obliged to move the boat 

 from where she had been hauled up to a more 

 safe and sheltered place to leeward, and there also 

 we took refuge ourselves from the heavy squalls 

 and the snow that now poured down in large 

 flakes. In the evening, divine service was read. 



The succeeding day brought us no better 

 weather ; and the surf and waves were much 

 higher. I had long observed a depression of 

 spirits in my steersmen, which I had attributed 

 to the novelty of their situation, but I could 

 not account for the gloom which now spread 

 itself as if by infection over the rest ; except, 

 indeed, the artillerymen, whose steady conduct 

 was such as to deserve the highest commendation. 

 The thing itself was of little moment now; but as 

 melancholy faces and melancholy weather are not 

 agreeable companions, and thinking that some of 

 the party would be benefited by a freer circulation 

 of blood, I sent them to hunt, with the promise 



