260 ISLAND OF ASCENSION. 



politely invited, and dined with the officers at 

 their mess. At a place called " The Fair," the 

 birds named sea-swallows, as well as numerous 

 other aquatic birds, congregate ; and the eggs of 

 the sea-swallows, which are of a dirty white, 

 with dark red spots, and about the size of crows' 

 eggs, are there collected at certain seasons of 

 the year, in thousands : several of these were 

 given to us, and found delicate and excellent 

 eating. It was dark before we went off to the 

 ship, and a heavy surf rendered the embarkation 

 very dangerous : no boats should attempt going 

 off after dark. A marine, named James, who was 

 a little intoxicated, fell into the water, and, being 

 overpowered by the violence of the surf and 

 the eddy, perished. After some difficulty, we 

 all re-embarked, and, getting safely on board, 

 resumed our voyage. 



The island is considered generally healthy, 

 dysentery being the only disease experienced ; 

 and the temperature of the air pleasant, being sel- 

 dom higher in the shade than 83°, the constant 

 trade-breeze tending to keep the atmosphere tem- 

 perate. Merchant-ships, in distress for supplies, 

 may here obtain them, the only extra charge made 

 by the government being the freight from Eng- 

 land. Fish can be procured in some quantity, and 

 a kind of conger eel, procured at this island, had. 



