294 ICHABOE ISLAND — MERCURY ISLAND. [1828. 



the albatross, but are not so much elevated ; while the jackass-pen- 

 guins lay their eggs in holes in the ground, from twelve to thirty 

 inches in depth, which they guard with the strictest vigilance. I have 

 seen them stand at the entrance of these holes and protect their eggs 

 or young ones with the most resolute perseverance, until they were re- 

 moved by superior physical strength. They frequently lay three or 

 four eggs, but the gannet seldom lays more than two. 



This island is formed of volcanic materials, and its shores are re- 

 sorted to by multitudes of fur-seal ; we took about one thousand 

 of their skins in a few days. The surface of this island is covered 

 with birds' manure to the depth of twenty-five feet. The south-east 

 part of the bay, on the mainland, directly opposite the island, is the 

 finest place on this part of the coast for jerking beef, it being only 

 four miles from a Hottentot village and the springs of fresh water 

 before mentioned, which will supply any number of cattle. Here 

 also I travelled into the interior to a considerable distance, and found 

 that the farther I advanced to the north-east, the more numerous were 

 the herds of cattle and flocks of sheep ; while the skins of leopards, 

 gray foxes, &c. could be obtained with the utmost facility ; together 

 with ivory, ostrich feathers, and other valuable products of the country. 



October 20M. — Having taken as many fur-seal skins as was prac- 

 ticable, we weighed anchor on Monday, the 20th, and steered to the 

 north, carefully examining the coast for fur-seal. I had now fully 

 made up my mind that a series of voyages to this coast for jerking 

 beef, and trading for other articles with the natives, would prove a 

 most brilliant enterprise, and make fortunes for all concerned. So 

 fully was I impressed with this idea, that I determined to propose it 

 to my employers immediately on my return, not doubting for a mo- 

 ment that they would view it in the same favourable light. In the 

 last particular I found myself mistaken, as I have already mentioned. 

 But it really appears astonishing to me that some men of capital do 

 not see the golden opportunity at a single glance, and seize on it with 

 avidity. An investment of thirty thousand dollars only, if properly 

 managed, would in two years produce a profit of from ten to fifteen 

 hundred per cent. ! 



October 22d. — On Wednesday, the 22d of October, we anchored 

 on the east side of Mercury Island, in four fathoms of water, about 

 two cables' length from the island, which is situated in latitude 25° 

 42' S., long. 14° 58' E. It is one mile in circumference, of an oblong 

 shape, lying north and south, and is three-quarters of a mile north 

 from the south-west point of Spencer's Bay, and one mile and a half 

 west from the north-east point of the same bay. Both passages are 

 easy, and free from dangers ; and the best anchorage is on the east 

 side of the island, about one hundred and fifty fathoms from its shores, 

 in five fathoms of water, sand and clay bottom. I would not advise 

 ships to anchor to the south side of the bay, as a heavy westerly 

 swell heaves into it, on the full and change of the moon ; but let them 

 anchor close under the island, and they will lie perfectly safe, in 

 smooth water. 



The south point of Spencer's Bay presents several high peaked 



