320 LEAVE ST. HELKNA. 



and the succession of new sigbts and impres- 

 sions produced an effect resembling a perpetual 

 intoxication. After a time, however, he expe- 

 rienced the fatigue incident to an extreme ten- 

 sion of mind, and began to sigh for the calm re- 

 tirement of Sandy Bay, to which he took the 

 first opportunity of returning, never to leave 

 it more. 



We passed nine very agreeable days at St. 

 Helena, and shall always retain the liveliest 

 remembrance of the kindness shown us by its 

 amiable inhabitants. My crew, though healthy, 

 had in some degree suffered from the effects of 

 a nearly three years'* voyage, and I was anxious 

 during our stay here to strengthen them by a 

 regimen of fresh provisions, (which, however, 

 are very dear upon the island,) particularly as 

 we had again to cross the line, and that in a 

 region often considered unhealthy. 



On the 7th of April we sailed from St. 

 Helena, and cut the equator on the 16th in 

 the long 22<* 37'. Here, delayed by calms, 

 and oppressed by the heat and damps, not- 

 withstanding all my percautions, a nervous 

 fever broke out among the men ; and, after 



