The Queen’s Birthday. 123 
and his wife and family, have suffered severely from fever and 
ague, which prevails much on this quarter of the island ; and as 
they have none of those comforts that we in a civilized com- 
munity enjoy—such as medical attendance, servants’ assist- 
ance, and friends’ society, they are much to be sympathised 
with. 
Before the vessel left, I took a day in the woods, when I 
added twenty botanical specimens to my collection, and would 
probably have got many more, only the damp moist heat 
was so overpowering that I was obliged to return before I other- 
wise would have done. 
Sailing from Santo we commenced the return voyage. Now 
we began to feel the force of the trade wind, and some of the'dis- 
advantages of a wind blowing steadily from one direction. It was 
very pleasant as long as it went with us, going north, and it would 
have been very pleasant to have had it turn round again ‘and 
blow us back; but as it did not seem inclined to do that, we 
made up our minds to some days of weary beating and tossing 
about; and it was well we did, for we got it. We took four 
days to reach Nguna again. Touching at that island, we took | 
Mr. Milne on board, and sailed for Mau, a small island twelve 
miles to the eastward. It was the 24th of May, and so the mate 
and I resolved that her gracious Majesty should not be forgotten, 
even amongst the cannibal islands. Rummaging out our re- 
volvers and supplying ourselves with a large quantity of am- 
munition, we adjourned to the forecastle, and there fired a 
salute in honour of the day, with such vigour that the rest of 
the party rushed up in alarm, imagining that we were attacked 
by savages. Then in the evening the National Anthem was 
performed with great good will by hearty voices, accompanied 
and assisted by a shaky accordion. Thus we showed our 
loyalty, and, as we did our best under the circumstances, we 
separated with the conviction that no man could do more. 
