ST. HELENA. 



A FRESH north-east monsoon expedited our 

 voyage, and we cut the equator on the 21st of 

 January, in the longitude 253° 38' ; then pass- 

 ing between the islands of Sumatra and Java, 

 we reached the ocean, after having safely tra- 

 versed the Chinese Sea from its northern to its 

 southern boundary, and directed our course 

 towards the Cape of Good Hope, where we in- 

 tended staying to refresh. When we had 

 reached to longitude 256°, 12^ south latitude, 

 the east wind, contrary to all rules at this sea- 

 son, changed for a westerly one, and blew a 

 strong gale; the sky was covered with black 

 clouds, and the rain fell in torrents. At mid- 

 night, while the storm was still raging, and the 



