418 THE LACCADIVES AND THE WEST COAST. 
blocks stiff, our topsails refuse to be hoisted and hang in 
bags ; the wind too, is too far ahead to suit this slow lubberly 
old “ Crawlin Camel” and as the uproar around us, indicative 
of the strong feeling of dissatisfaction which we are unhappily 
exciting increases momentarily, I feel as if all the light had 
faded out of the charming vision, on which I had so long 
feasted my hopes. 
At last, when all hope seemed over, and a trial for man- 
slaughter on a large scale seemed to close the entire vista of 
our future, when an indignant public was compelled to silence 
by the necessity of providing for their immediate safety and a 
general sauve qui peut seemed imminent, off go the engines 
again suddenly, 16 to the dozen, and off we go at least 4 knots 
an hour, and though we don’t keep that up, we do actually, be- 
tween sails and screw steadily forge ahead at therate of about 
3 knots, to the intense mutual relief of ourselves and a much 
exercised public. 
Throughout this trying scene, our captain, (Staff Com- 
mander R. N.) preserved the most imperturbable serenity, 
neither depressed when we threatened destruction to aquatic 
Bombay, nor unduly exalted when the engines incontinently 
resumed work—but when we were once fairly out of the 
crowd, a grim smile flickered over his honest features—he 
seemed to take in the whole of the old Clyde, stock and block, 
with one comprehensive glance, and then as if this was too 
much for him, he gave vent to his feelings in the one touching 
remark, “nice old girl, ain’t she ?” 
Thank heaven ! we are at last out opposite the inner light and 
steering straight for Khundari. Three fine adult Larus occiden- 
talis in our wake “ und weiter nichts.” 
February 3rd.—About 9 a.M. we were opposite Severndroog, 
having, by help of sails and steaming full power, made actually 
nearly 44 knots per hour throughout the night. No doubt the 
water had been perfectly smooth and the wind fair, but for 
this precious tub this was no little achievement and so my spirits 
began to revive. 
Throughout the day we have run down the coast 
under canvas only, at a distance of from 3 to 4 miles off shore, 
but we have seen no birds except a solitary L. ridibundus that 
looked us up about 11°30 a. mM. and then passed on, and a single 
L. occidentalis, that joined us for about an hour during the 
afternoon. By 8 p.m. we were off Rutnagheri. 
February 4th.—Karly in the morning we sighted the Vingorla 
Rocks, some miles ahead, and ran down towards them past Sin- 
deedroog. When nearing the rocks it was thought that a little 
steam would be useful, and as fires were banked, the order was 
