206 MAURITIUS. [1846. 



(literally needles, in the Spanish language, but corrupted 

 by seamen into Lagullas). We noticed several vessels 

 lying at anchor off Port Elizabeth, and made our number 

 to one, by the aid of Marryat's Code. We were not at 

 the time aware of the vicinity of the Governor and 

 troops to this place, or our course would have been 

 directed nearer to the shore, and a communication 

 effected. We were able, however, to discover that our 

 inside friends were not in enviable berths, as they were 

 then (nearly calm in shore), rolling most unpleasantly. 



At dawn on the morning of the 21st, we found our- 

 selves becalmed off Cape Agulhas, and being in sound- 

 ings the first Lieut, apprized me that I had a chance for 

 fish. I immediately went on deck, and, with my usual 

 luck, in two hours hooked forty-two fine fish, varying 

 from six to thirty-six pounds. A very curious fact was 

 here discovered which saved me a very great portion of 

 fatigue. I think that we were at the time in thirty 

 fathoms. This was a long pull (although I had two of 

 my boats crew ready for the heavy work) but immediately 

 after taking the first fish, I found that the lead ceased 

 to descend, as fast as it should do, at five fathoms, and, 

 upon trying the line, found that the shoal of fish which 

 swarmed at that depth were too voracious to permit of its 

 passing below to their brethren beneath. These, and a 

 few others, taken by those around me, afforded a fresh 

 meal to the whole crew. Vessels homeward bound, 

 generally manage to touch upon the tail of this bank ; as 

 I have taken fish at seventy-six fathoms on it, many a 

 poor fellow who may be fretting at his hard fate at being 

 becalmed, may divert his chagrin by treating himself, not 



