22 A FALSE ALARM. 



winds from N.W., and a strong current setting 

 to the eastward. 



On the afternoon of the 23rd, when we were 

 far distant from any land, a strong sensation was 

 produced amongst our ship's company by the 

 watch at the mast-head reporting the approach 

 of a solitary boat, filled with human beings. On 

 closer investigation, however, the object seen 

 proved to be a log of drift wood, with several 

 boobies perched upon it : the timber, undulating 

 with the waves, and the actions of the birds to 

 preserve their balance, presenting, in the distance, 

 a very deceptive resemblance to a boat, with her 

 crew pulling hard at their oars. 



On the 17th of January, 1836, we crossed the 

 equator in long. 112W., and dropped to the 

 westward with the line current. The Cachalots 

 we found here were chiefly small parties of half- 

 grown males, journeying to the eastward. They 

 were so active and shy that our average success 

 amongst them was much less than we had 

 experienced in the previous year. 



Early in the month of February we shaped 

 a course for the Marquesas group. In lat. 6 S., 

 long. 134 W., the easterly winds began to 

 freshen every night, in the manner of a " land 

 turn ;" small white noddies came about the 

 ship ; and frequent squalls, with thunder, light- 



