DEPARTURE FOR THE WESTWARD. 291 



CHAPTER XII. 



After leaving the Abrolhas', we had a strong 

 westerly breeze, which required us to carry sail 

 pretty stiffly, to avoid the shore ; in the course of 

 which process we sighted the AYollaby group and 

 "Wizzard's Peak on the main. 



Our intention was to cruise here for four or six 

 weeks ; but having, after the lapse of eight or nine 

 days, seen sperm whales which were going eyes out 

 to the westward, (we lowered for them, but did not 

 get within miles of them,) on the morning of Sep- 

 tember 1st, we spoke the Europa, sold to her captain 

 another boat, and, with strong southeast trades, took 

 up our line of departure for the westward. Our 

 ship's bottom, from long exposure, was very foul, 

 and we tried to make amends far her dullness by 

 packing her spars full of canvass : main royal, topmast, 

 lower and topgallant studding sails, all assisting us 

 on our westerly course ; and, although we were not 

 bound directly home, we were all well aware that 

 space now crossed brought us thitherward, and would 

 not need to be retraced by us. Hence we entered 

 into the spirit of the passage with more alacrity than 

 usual. There was, besides, this other consideration, 

 that we were bound to a port within the precincts of 

 civilization ; which is always a matter of gratification 

 to sailors, after either a short or long cruise. 



