A DIARY OF THE 



to explain what we wished : for it was of infinite 

 consequence to prevent an acquaintance with 

 our camp. They smiled at our arrangement, 

 but were not displeased, and for some time they 

 adhered to our desire with tolerable regularity. 

 The Indians had brought each day some supply 

 of poultry, which the crew obtained from them, 

 at first, at an easy rate of exchange, and they 

 willingly received buttons or bits of metal in 

 return : the eagerness, however, of the sailor to 

 add the luxury of a fowl to his mess of salt meat 

 caused the cunning Indian to demand articles of 

 dress : an old shirt was what they coveted much ; 

 and a jacket was also among the articles eagerly 

 sought for. On each of our batteries was fixed 

 a flag-staff, to which a union-jack was secured, 

 and kept constantly flying. A full supply 

 of grape, canister, and round shot was piled 

 on each platform, which was composed of can- 

 nonade slides sunk into the sand. These guns, 

 as well as those on the stern of the wreck, were 

 almost every evening discharged and reloaded, 

 preparatory for the night. None could go in or 

 out of the encampment without being seen by 

 the sentinels ; and at night the watchword was 

 demanded of all who moved out of their tents. 

 Don Bernardino kept us constantly on the alert 



