122 DEATH AND BURIAL 



south, forced us away from the land, so that from 

 there our track to Swan River described two sides 

 of an acute-angled triangle ; the 24th placing us 

 somewhat further than we were on the 14th, namely 

 700 miles west from our destination ; but at length 

 we got a favourable wind to take us in. 



January 21. — I must refer back to this date to 

 record that a gloom was cast over the ship in the 

 morning, in consequence of the rigid hand of death 

 having been laid on one of our men, the cook, by 

 name Mitchell, worn out by old age and bodily in- 

 firmities. He breathed his last at midnight, and at 

 10, A.M. we committed his body to the deep. There 

 is perhaps no place where the burial service has a 

 more impressive effect than at sea ; and in the pre- 

 sent instance the grave demeanor of the whole crew 

 attested that it was so. The day too was gloomy, 

 and in keeping with the solemn scene ; while a fresh 

 breeze gave the ship a steady keel. Occasionally 

 the beautiful prayers were interrupted by the roar of 

 the foaming waters as the ship plunged onwards ; 

 then swelling on the breeze and mingling with its 

 wailings they were wafted, we would fain hope, to 

 that peaceful home to which we were sending our 

 shipmate. A chilling plunge announced his pass- 

 age into the mighty deep, leaving no trace to mark 

 the spot on the wave, which swept on as before. 



The wandering and strange life of the deceased 

 became the theme of conversation during the day, 

 and many interesting anecdotes were recalled. On 



