OUR FIRST LANDINGS 49 



and spangled blue and pink. The sun was shining 

 brightly, and the thing was so unexpected and so beauti- 

 ful after the dreariness that had gone before, that I gave 

 quite involuntarily a shout or cheer, or some noise which 

 made old Sailor come running up. 



In a moment I was up the bank on hands and knees, 

 picking and digging up flowers. Sailor at first was much 

 excited at this move, but after he had stuck his nose into 

 several places, and could find no smell of bird or beast, 

 he drew off and sat and watched me for a fool. 



Forget-me-not was here, and flowers in purple, white, 

 and pink (Astragalus), and a tiny veronica, as well as a 

 buttercup [Ranunculus acns). 



This was such an attractive spot that we talked of 

 landing again to-morrow. But it was not possible ; for 

 we had to shift our anchorage. 



June \Zth. — Powys had turned in and I was writing 

 my diary in the chart-room, when, chancing to look up 

 from my task, I saw that the sky to the north, which had 

 long looked queer, was growing very curious. Whether 

 it meant wind or fog I did not know, but obviously one 

 or the other was threatenino-. 



I went out on deck. The skipper and the mate were 

 both below, and I routed the watch out of the galley. 

 Bidding him keep a good look-out and report any change, 

 I went on writing. 



About one o'clock I was out again. The sky looked 



D 



