CHAPTER VIII. 



SOUTHERN CRUISE — CONTINUED. 

 1839. 



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 three o'clock they were under 

 their storm-sails. The barometer, which was at 29*21 in., began to rise 

 as it came on. This gale lasted twenty-four hours, and during its con- 

 tinuance the tender Flying-Fish was lost sight of. Captain Hudson in 

 his instructions to Lieutenant Walker, notified him that the Peacock 

 would wait 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, no vessel 



K 2 ri49) 



