PASSAGE TO VALPARAISO. 45 



fathoms, and the storm still raged with unabated fury ; how- 

 ever, to our great delight, about midnight it began perceptibly 

 to moderate. 



We hailed with joy the ray of comfort this afforded us. It 

 was like the arrival of an old friend, whose presence in the 

 hour of misfortune affords consolation. It was believed that 

 we passed within twenty yards of the reef; and had the storm 

 continued a few moments longer we would inevitably have 

 been lost. 



At 3.30 A. M., the ship fell-off before the wind, upon which 

 we slipped the remaining cables, made sail, hauled on a wind 

 on the larboard-tack, and stood out to sea. By 7 A. M. the 

 ship was under whole topsails and main-top-gallant sail, and 

 was rapidly increasing her distance from the spot, which, only 

 a few hours before, filled every bosom with so many death-like 

 apprehensions. 



On the 27th, we fell in with the " Montezuma," a whale-ship, 

 from Talcauanaha, bound to Nantucket. Her captain informed 

 us of the taking of Lima by the Chilian army. He also pre- 

 sented us with a quantity of vegetables, for which he received 

 our warmest thanks. We had not tasted anything of the 

 kind since we left Rio Janeiro. During the night, the breeze 

 became very light. 



April 4th. We captured with the hook seven albatrosses ; 

 the plumage of two of which was extremely beautiful. This 

 is the best mode of taking them when the ship has but little 

 head-way. Two were prepared for dinner, but they were far 

 from being good eating, the flesh being very tough and fishy. 



At daylight *on the 13th, we made the coast of Chili on our 

 lee-bow, and at 7 Mount Quillota bore per compass north 60° 

 east. In the afternoon sent Lieutenant Underwood into 

 Valparaiso to procure an anchor. At an early hour on the 



