HOMEWARD BOUND. IO3 



On the morning of the 24th, a light breeze from the west- 

 ward having sprung up, fires were hauled and sail made. 



On the 25th sounded in 3002 fathoms, lat. 24° 14' S., 

 long. 27° 20' W.; dark brown mud. This cast was about 

 60 miles from one of 2994 fathoms taken on the way 

 out and about 90 miles from another of 3020 fathoms^ 

 showing a remarkably level floor. The breeze died out 

 during the night, and there was a calm during the whole 

 of the following day. 



On the night of the 26th steam was raised, and on 

 the 27th two casts were taken : one in 2995 fathoms, lat. 

 22° 56' S., long. 27° 22' W. ; and the other in 2865 

 fathomxS, lat. 21° 43' S., long. 27° ig W. 



At 9.30 A.M. of the 28th sounded in 2727 fathoms, lat. 

 20°24' S., long. 2 7°4o' W. — stiff brown mud, after which, a 

 light breeze having sprung up, fires were hauled, and sail 

 made to royals. Scarcely had this been done when the 

 breeze died out completely, and for twenty hours I 

 think there was the deadest calm I ever experienced. 



On the 29th we still had 3000 miles to make to reach 

 Barbados, with only 58 tons of coal in the bunkers. 

 I had steam raised again ia the afternoon, hoping that a 

 short run would bring us into the trades. The night of 

 the 29th was perfect for steaming. The sea was glassy, 

 the sky cloudless ; Venus shone with remarkable brill- 

 iancy, and as the vessel steamed through the water 

 causing small undulations to spread over its surface, I 

 counted eight distinct reflections of this star at the same 

 instant. 



