262 Voyage of the Novara. 



accustomed of late to a milder temperature, felt as though it 

 were twice more rigorous than it actually was, in consequence 

 of the wind coming from the ice-bound antarctic regions. 



On the afternoon of 4th November, a great excitement arose 

 on board ; a violent shower filled the lifeboats with water, and 

 a large black object was observed swimming in the sea. 

 Fortunately, it was not a man, though it proved to be a great 

 favourite that had fallen overboard. Bessy, an ape, had got 

 loose from her chain, and while being chased, fell in her eager- 

 ness into the sea, which fortunately was tolerably smooth. The 

 droll little brute had quickly made itself such a favourite 

 with the crew from its comical attractive ways, that its sud- 

 den fall overboard awoke universal sympathy. A boat was 

 lowered, and Bessy rescued, who speedily recovered from her 

 fright, and although dripping wet, proceeded to consume an 

 orange that was handed her with an expression of entire 

 satisfaction. 



On reaching 40° S., 31° E., the West winds became more 

 steady, with a perceptible increase of motion, giving an average 

 of 33 feet as the height of the waves, while the frigate rolled 

 heavily. Sometimes several " Rollers " would follow one after 

 the other, which made the ship heel over from 20° to 25° on 

 either side. At each roll, streams of water poured in upon the 

 gun-deck. The cannon-shot kept up a deafening dance from 

 one side to the other, while stools, tables, chests, and in short 

 everything that could move, were unmistakably "lively." The 



