FINAL DEPARTURE. 15 



On the 2t5th, the wind being favourable and 

 there being no appearance of Mr. Lander, nor 

 any letters from him, we despatched the Colum- 

 bine and Alburkah, towing them both out of the 

 harbour. Their orders directed them to make the 

 best of their way to Port Praya, and there to wait 

 the arrival of the Quorra. 



On the evening of the 29th we were agreeably 

 surprised by the appearance of Mr. Lander, and 

 in less than an hour afterwards were under weigh 

 with steam and sails, a light breeze having set 

 in from the N.E. We continued under steam 

 till we lost soundings ; we then disconnected the 

 engine, and with the freshening breeze stood 

 across the bay. 



The difference between a sailing vessel and 

 a steamer was surely never more perceptible. 

 From going merrily along at the rate of eight 

 or nine knots per hour, with the paddle, as if 

 instinct with life, dashing and flapping the blue 

 waves of the ocean, the speed of our vessel sud- 

 denly slackened into that of a quiet Jog-trot, and 

 she went on rolling lazily over the long swell at 

 the rate of not more than two or three. Having 

 had the planning and fitting out of the vessel, 

 I was perhaps more annoyed than any of my 



