15^ PERILOUS SITUATION. 



The Alburkah's papers, register, &c. were 

 signed and given over to me, together with writ- 

 ten instructions from Mr. Lander, by the gover- 

 nor. Colonel Nicolls. Our preparations kept us 

 fully employed until our departure. We received 

 stores on board, left by Captain Becroft, and a 

 chief officer and men to navigate the vessel. 



Our crew then consisted of twelve persons, in- 

 cluding the mate and two white men ; and, with 

 Mr. Lander on board, who proposed to accom- 

 pany us as far as the river Nun, we got under 

 weigh on the morning of the 10th of November. 

 Notwithstanding the day was Sunday, some of 

 our new hands had been taking too much grog ; 

 so that steam was suffered to escape, and we 

 were obliged to come to an anchor again. 



The following morning, at 7 a.m. steam was 

 got up ; but, owing to some mismanagement, the 

 engine would not work. The late engineer. 

 Smith, who had worked the engine since the 

 death of his predecessor in that office, was sick 

 in the hospital, and a man named Jeffry had 

 undertaken the task. We were obliged, how- 

 ever, to send for Smith, who kindly came and 

 initiated Jeffi^y in the mystery of managing it. 



At 10. 30 A. M. the Alburkah was, for the third 



