FROM TENERIFFE TO BRAZIL. 109 



chronometers, so that their goodness is not to be 

 doubted. At four o'clock, we passed the island 

 of Brava, at the distance of five miles, without 

 losing the trade wind. The island is high, and, 

 on the west, rises almost perpendicular out of the 

 sea ; it is covered with luxuriant verdure, and 

 affords a very inviting prospect to the navigator. 

 We observed, near the land, in calm water, large 

 and small fish, which leaped sportively into the 

 air : this island, therefore, must abound with fish. 

 Flying-fish are also in abundance, and these have 

 been our constant companions since we have left 

 Cape Verd islands, falling daily on the ship, or 

 flying over it ; one of them flew so close past the 

 officer of the watch, that it hit him on the nose 

 with its fin. 



November the 13th. To-day we lost the trade- 

 wind, in latitude 9° 52'', and longitude ^0° 5^", 

 overpowered by very violent gusts of wind, from 

 S. W., and we were now under the influence of 

 variable winds, which, with calm, rain, and storm, 

 and very violent squalls, plagued us for several days. 

 Our crew, however, were all well, and we had no 

 sick. On the l6th, in latitude 7° 31", longitude 

 20° 28", three cranes flew round the Rurick : one 

 of them fell into the water from exertion ; the two 

 others flew round their unfortunate companion, and 

 thus got distant from the ship. On the same day, 

 we saw a small land-bird, which settled on the deck. 

 The land near to us was 5J° distant, and it is sur- 



