CHATTER VIII. 
SOUTHERN CRUISE — CONTINUED. 
18 39. 
At 10 a. m., on the 25th of February, the Peacock, with the tender 
Flying-Fish, got under way, and also received parting cheers from the 
Vincennes and Relief as they passed out of the harbour. The wind, 
as with the Porpoise, was light and variable until the afternoon, 
when they likewise encountered the heavy squall from the southwest, 
which with the thick weather induced Captain Hudson to regain the 
outer anchorage of Orange Harbour, and remain there during the 
continuance of the gale. The next morning, the weather proving 
more favourable, they again got under way, and stood down the bay, 
with all sail set, and a fine breeze from the northward. Although 
they were passing rapidly through the water, when off Point Lort 
they found the flood tide so strong as to impede their progress. 
Indeed, such was its strength, that for a portion of the time they 
made little or no headway, and the tide being contrary to the wind, 
produced a cross and very unpleasant sea, By meridian they had 
reached the island of Diego Ramieres. 
The heavy bank of cumuli that had been perceived in the west, 
by noon began to develope itself, and by 3 o'clock they were under 
their storm-sails. The barometer, which was at 29-21 inches, began 
to rise as it came on. This gale lasted twenty-four hours, and during 
its continuance the tender Flying-Fish was lost sight of. Captain 
Hudson in his instructions to Lieutenant Walker, notified him that 
the Peacock would w^ait twelve hours in or near the situation where 
last seen, which he now did, but no tidings being received of the 
tender, he bore away for their first rendezvous, having taken the 
precaution to fix four places of meeting. 
During the last gale, from her bad and defective outfits, nothing 
could be more uncomfortable than the Peacock, and although every 
VOT.. T. 39 
